A Special Progress Report on Some Current and Selected Hydroponic Plants

Hello, Darlings

This is a special article and not my usual journal entry. First I want to share with you photos of the progress of the plants grown in my 50-pod hydroponic tower, and the growth rates of the six cherry tomato plants growing in the 20-pod countertop systems. In the 50-pod hydroponic tower the Green Glaze Collard plants have grown well with large leaves, which are ready for their first picking. The three Amaranths seedlings that I saved have adapted to the tower and are rapidly growing. The Pak Choi has given us a couple of fresh salads mixed with Parris Romaine Lettuce, as well as a one-dish meal of Chicken and Pak Choi Teriyaki Noodles. However, unlike the lettuce, I believe the Pak Choi must be reseeded frequently, because I discovered that once the leaves are picked the plants do not grow new ones.

Green Glaze Collards 

Green Glaze Collards, side 2

Pak Choi Plants with Amaranth Plants above

Since I have not had much success with growing cucumbers in the small 2-pod trellis hydroponic growing system, and one of the 20-pod countertop systems, I moved the 2-pod trellis hydroponic growing system to the sunroom with new seeds. I also added cucumbers seeds to the 50-pod hydroponic tower, and soon discovered that the difference in the size and grow rate of these plants as oppose to the one in the smaller growing system is striking, not only are the cucumber plants growing and flowering with baby cucumbers, their leaves are amazingly larger than my hand. The vines are also attaching themselves to nearby structures.  As of now the baby cucumbers look as if they might survive.

Tower cucumbers with smaller ones in background & wonder pepper plants above

Tower system one of many baby cucumbers 

 

The California wonder pepper plants have grown, but I believe I will need the move them into a growing system of their own. Because while the plants are large enough to bud, the crowding of the other plants are preventing the pepper plant buds from fully developing, so they die without blooming. However, I fear pulling the plants out of the tower, because the root systems are very large, and removing the plants might mean root damage and death for them. 

Moving on from the tower plants, back on Monday, January 12, 2026 I replaced the exhausted Tiny Tim tomato plants with new seeds. However, in their place I planted two K2 Golden Cherry tomato seeds in one system and two Tiny Tim tomato seeds in another system. The K2 Golden Cherry tomatoes plants are new to me and have surpassed my expectations and are maturing much faster than their cousin the Tiny Tim plants. Both plants varieties were seeded the same day.

K2 Golden Cherry tomatoes (color is richer than what is pictured)

New Tiny Tim tomatoes 

The Tiny Tim Cherry tomatoes are growing straight up with side branches, which are normal for them. However, the K2 Golden Cherry tomatoes, while the same height have stems and branches that are thicker and denser.  While the Tiny Tim plants are flowering, the K2 Golden Cherry plants have many green tomatoes. The leaves on both types of plants get so dense that I have to prune the larger leaves frequently.

In addition, about two to three weeks before removing the old Tiny Tim plants, I cut off a couple healthy branches and placed them in a hydroponic system with a basil plant. While the basil plant has finally exhausted itself the two Tiny Tim branches have grown into full grown plants and are heavy with green tomatoes, which will be ready for harvest in the near future.

Tiny Tim Cherry tomatoes side branches

While not mentioned, my other vegetable plants are growing healthy. It is the growing progress of the ones above that I wanted to share with you today. I hope you find this article informative and useful for your own indoor farming projects. 

50-pod hydroponic growing system

 

I also have another special hydroponic system DIY makeover I will be sharing with you soon.

So, until then,       

         Chow, Darlings.

 

How My Indoor Hydroponic Garden is Growing

 I am posting these portions of the journal, because it is easier to see my process in my indoor hydroponic farming.

Sunday, January 25, 2026

 

I could not sleep tonight, so I got up and put my new hydroponic tower together. I was surprised at how easy it was when I had all the part ready for use. The light cage is not perfect, because I cut one of the PVC pipes I am using for center support of the light cage a couple inches too shot but it workable. In fact, it looks great and by doing it by myself I saved more than ½ to ¾ of the cost of one its size that is pre-made and with the entire accessories picture here. 

 

MY 50-POD DIY HYDROPONIC TOWER SYSTEM

California Wonder Peppers and Pak Choy seedlings

 I will transfer these California Wonder Peppers and Pak Choy seedlings into this tower later today, I will also seed some collard greens in the top 20 pods as well. With 50 pod openings I should be able to seed a nice variety of plants, but I will wait and see how well these plants do.

 

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

 

Today, I seeded the two trellis hydroponic systems with the new Bush cucumber seeds. I seeded one seed per plant bowl. I have had two other types of cucumber seeds and tried growing both; however those seeds, while they were vining plants and flowered well, many of the flowers failed produced cucumbers. Those that did have tiny cucumbers got infested with the white flies. Since then, I have gotten rid of all the infested plants and cleansed everything the plants would d come in contact with. I have a vegetable and fruit based insecticide, as well as bottle Neem oil. So far, I have not seen a re-infestation of the flies. Just in case, the flies do try to return, I also have yellow sticky sticks I can put in difference areas of the rooms. They love the color yellow, so they will flow the stick wherever they or placed.

 

I also divided each of the two baby eggplants into a system of their own since they grow very large. I then took put the kale leave from its system, because the seeds did not germinate. I have not decided what seeds to put in their place yet, however, on Sunday I did seed more of the Amaranth seeds after reviewing the video of my one of my resources., and learned, like lettuce and greens Amaranth plants are easy the grow and are  harvested in the same manner.

 

I got my second hydroponic tower, except this one didn’t come with the lights or the air pump. I already have lights for it and will get the aeration air pump when I am ready the seed of vegetables. I am thinking of keeping the mustard greens in my first tower, and using the new tower for the collard greens. It has 50 pod holes, which is 20 more than the other tower, so I will probably seed 30 collard green seeds in the upper 30 pods and the lower 20 pod will be used for smaller, like the Pak Choy, because grow straight like stalks of celery. In fact 1and because it taste, Pak Choy has been said to be a good substitute for celery. Of the five Pak Choy seeds I seeded four have germinated and now have grown their third leaf. I will leave them in the smaller hydroponic system for and will move to the second hydroponic tower once it is completely setup.

 

In order to set the tower up I purchased the following additional items:

 

·         Qty 1 Salvia 10 Pcs White PVC Pipe DIY Projects Sch40 Furniture Grade for Home, Greenhouse, Garden, Farm, Workshop (1/2 Inch,4 Ft)

 

·         Qty 1 BN-LINK 24-Hour Plug-in Mechanical Timer, Heavy Duty Outlet Timer Indoor with 15-Minute Intervals, 3-Prong Plug for Aquariums, Grow Lights, Hydroponics, Indoor Lighting, ETL Listed

 

·         Qty 1 20-Pack 1/2" 4 Way PVC Fittings, Furniture Grade Pipe Fittings 4 Way for SCH40 PVC Pipe, UV Resistant, Pipe Connectors for All DIY Structure and Frames

 

·         Qty 1 Pawfly Aquarium 15-40 GPH Compact Air Pump Quiet Oxygen Aerator Pump with Air Stone/Nano Bio Sponge Filter Airline Tubing and Check Valve Accessories for 3-20 Gallon Buckets and Fish Tanks 

 

·         Qty 4 T8 LED Grow Lights 4FT Seed Starting Full Spectrum Lighting 160W(4 × 40W)

 

Finally, and since it has been nine days, I seeded systems I fed all the new seedlings with the recommended amount A& B nutrients, as well as a 5ml of  FoxFarm Grow Big Hydro Organic Liquid Fertilizer, Plant Food with Micro Nutrients for Hydroponic Systems for an added booster. I have always worked for my plants in the past.

 

Sunday, January 18, 2026

 

I fed and watered all the sunroom plants, including topping off the hydroponic tower tank. I also picked more of the water cress and mustard greens. The greens were then rinsed and frozen in a 2 ½ gallon baggie, and the water cress was added to salads. Picking the mustard greens leaves allowed the collard green seedling to grow more.

 

Fresh Picked Mustard Greens

Collard Greens seedlings in first Hydroponic tower

Glaze Collard Greens Seedlings in hydroponic tower

Toothpicks between the hole are for locating the seeds

 

Five Days After Picking of Mustard Greens

 

Monday, January 12, 2026

 

Yesterday morning I removed all the old tomato plants, and seeded four more, they are two Tiny Tim seeds in one hydroponic system, and in the other are two K2 Golden Cherry tomato seeds, which I got when bought a variety pack of seeds. I was probably getting the mustard seeds in that pack. In any case, I hope the K2 Golden Cherry tomato seeds and as easy to grow and care for as the Tiny Tim seeds.

 

Today, I peeked at the seed pods in the systems that I added the replacement part, and the lettuce and Amaranth seeds have germinated, but the kale in still a no show at this time.

 

In addition, I divided the Amaranth seeds seedling into four pods, instead of the two pods. I also removed the extra seedling in the pal choy pods making it three plants in all. The catnip is coming up as well. The peppers and herbs are a no show; however they take a little longer to germinate.

 

A Statement on the Retirement of Several of “Widescreen Online Review Plus®” Websites

Hello, Darlings

By now you, my young and old faithful followers know that Widescreen Online Review Plus® Websites was comprised of many sites spanning twenty plus years. However, for me and as time passed, I recognized that my websites had expanded further than I could handle, and that the entertainment industry and those personalities responsible for trusting me to write open and honest reviews on their creative works were no longer out there. Like me, a 75 year old gal, they are either retired or no longer with us.  Understanding this, in 2025, I stop publishing articles on my major websites, and closed them up.

However, it has come to my attention that whenever, I post articles on Seven Ninety Seven "Home Of The Bargain Queen" or its blog, Evelyn’s Twigs, Thyme and Stranger Things Gardens, the privacy setting on the retired sites, My Anime Nook, Widescreen Anime Links, Widescreen Comic Review ( the three favorites of the youths), and Widescreen Online Review will be public for viewing.

As I see it, this in itself is no problem. I put a lot of time and effort onto each page of these websites over the past twenty years, so should you stumble upon them when I am posting on Seven Ninety Seven "Home Of The Bargain Queen" or its blog, Evelyn’s Twigs, Thyme and Stranger Things Gardens, feel free to read to your hearts contend with the understanding that these website will no longer be updated, and because the industry has change many of the links to other websites and videos may not exist any longer. Nevertheless, I will post this message on each of the websites and leave them open for a short period of time for the curious of minds.

 

All this being stated, you might also enjoy my current websites, is more about current events, diets (I have loads of interesting and tasty recipes), from outdoor container gardening, potted houseplants, and the newest trend, indoor hydroponic gardening, which I, and millions of other people find fascinating and rewarding, not just as a hobby but as wonderful way to supplement ones diet with homegrown vegetable and fruit during the entire year.

 

Current websites:

·         Seven Ninety Seven "Home Of The Bargain Queen"

·         Evelyn’s Twigs, Thyme and Stranger Things Gardens

·         A Catholic's Life, Anew, my faith, do not trample upon.

·         La Création De Moi!, me, me and who, me.

·         Tito's Cavern, the love of animals

·         Just Another Anti-Rip-Off Website, crime may not have a face, the evidence remains

·         Widescreen Network News, bad sh_t does happen to good people.

 

Retired websites:

·         The Woman Within, my first, and the grandmother of all my past and present websites

·         Widescreen Anime Links, I still love anime

·         Widescreen Comic Review, I still love the comics

·         Widescreen Online Review, the world is a theater

·         First Look Showcase, latest in film

 

Until next time,

 

     Evelyn, signing off.

How I Reuse My Old Countertop Hydroponic System Boxes

Wait! Don't throw that out!!

Hello, Darlings,

I believe this is s common problem for most countertop hydroponic systems users, so I hope you find the following video useful.

 

Just a few updates! 

 Green Glaze Collards new growth 01.09.2026

The Mustard greens and Watercress are growing big and strong. The Collards are in there too,. They are just too young to be seen at this stage in their growth without the zoom shot above.

 
 Until next time,

  Keep growing, Darlings 

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026 

 

 

Hydroponic Tower System after Green Algae Attack update

 Happy Holidays, Everyone!

I'm here today with an update on the Hydroponic Tower System redo I did on 12/23/2025. If you read my previous post, you know that I had to break down and cleanse away the green algae that was growing in the tower due to the strong light entering the openings in the pods. I really debated on what to do about preventing the algae returning, and then I came up with using some "General Hydroponics GH3253 Rapid Rooter Replacement Plugs"

To fill the opening in the pods of the tower, I laid the General Hydroponics GH3253 Rapid Rooter Replacement Plug in the tower pods sideways and created holes for the seeds. After adding the Green Glaze Collards seeds in each available pod (eight in all), I moistened to plugs with nutrients. I then crossed my fingers in the hope that the seeds would sprouts. and they have done so, as you can see in the photo of the two sprouts below. 

The photo below is how the tower looks today. The older greens (mostly mustard) have recovered from being picked and are growing well.

 Finally, I brought in the Monstera plants because the sun outside was too harsh for them and to prevent vandals from further clipping their stems. The Monstera are now acting as sentinels for the two countertop hydroponic systems in the middle. The Monsteras were so large that I had to clip away some of the older stems and repot them. 

Until next time,

  Happy Holidays to All!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hydroponic Tower System after Green Algae Attack

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

As promised, I am here with the results of cleaning my hydroponic tower system after the green algae attack. Following the recommended directions in my previous post, cleaning it was fairly easy. I also took this time to pick the larger leaves of the greens and set the system back up with their younger leaves.

All of the greens have strong roots, so I stuffed the younger leaf ones with some rockwool (very pliable) to hold them in place and maintain the moisture level around the roots.  Like the greens we would plant outside during the fall, and then harvest in the spring and in the early summer, these hydroponic greens will grow new leaves after the older ones have been picked. Just keep giving them the same level of care as when they were first placed in the pods.

To reduce the amount of light surrounding the tower, I moved the system from the sunroom to a room that gets less natural light. In addition, I added an air pump to oxygenate the water, and tomorrow I will cover the open areas of each pod with foil to reduce the amount of light streaming directly into them. 

In the pictures you can see I have a nice large bowl of mixed greens, which I will freeze for next year. I also trimmed back my lemon basil plant to six inches, and from the photo below you can get an idea of how large the mother plant was before I cut it back. These I will dry in the dehydrator. I also created a tasty fresh basic vegetable soup for night's dinner. I will post the recipe of Seven Ninety Seven, "Home Of The Bargain Queen" on another day.

I also want to share that all of the lights mounted in sunroom and the light that came with each hydroponic systems are all on timers. This means I do not have to turn them on and off each day, which is really nice.

Until next time,

      Merry Christmas to All!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2025

The Wonder of Hydroponic Bell Peppers and the Attack of Green Algae

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

It has been a while since my last post, so today I wanted to upload the process of the California wonder bell peppers that I seeded on September the fifth. As you can see from photo below, the pepper is green and half the size store bought bell peppers, and not the large dark red stuffing size. This only meaning they still growing and will turn red when they reach full size.

 

The greens that I planted in my tower hydroponic systems are growing well. Who knew that you could grow collard, mustard and turnip greens indoors and in a hydroponic system?  Anyway, I have run across an invader - green algae. Somehow too much light has gotten into the tower and allowed the green algae grow.  My only guess is that sitting in the sunroom with all the other plant surrounding it for the potted plant, the rays of those grow lights are able to penetrate the pod openings in tower system giving the green algae a home.  

 

Before pictures

The after pictures will come later this week, and after I have moved the system into the house.

In any case, the solution to getting rid of the algae is simple.

To clean green algae from a hydroponic tower, first, remove plants and drain the system, then manually scrub components with hot soapy water and a brush, followed by a sterilization rinse with diluted hydrogen peroxide (3% H₂O₂, about 3ml per gallon of water) or a vinegar solution, running it through the system to kill spores, and finally, rinse thoroughly with fresh water, blocking light from the reservoir to prevent regrowth, -- Google AI

I also plan to add a air stone, like in a fish aquarium. The benefits of having an air stone in a hydroponic tower system:

Adding an air stone to a hydroponic tower system provides crucial oxygen to roots for better nutrient absorption, promotes healthy root development, prevents root rot, and fights pathogens, leading to faster growth and higher yields by ensuring roots can breathe and thrive in the nutrient solution, even in systems with less direct air exposure like towers.  -- Google AI

I hope this article is helpful to others that want to try growing vegetables in tower hydroponic systems.   

Until next time,

      Merry Christmas to All!

A Widescreen Online Review Plus Article@2025

 

Blue Skull Halloween

Well, Halloween is a few short weeks away, so I thought I would dress up the website to reflect the coming season. I chose this image, because when my husband and I first moved into our new home, we found a beautiful blue skull in the backyard. It is now sitting on the patio table in the sunroom.

I really like it, and it fits in well. Every Halloween season I drag out all my favorite horror films and enjoy having my own little Halloween fest. On my old entertainment site, I enjoyed adding my favorite 31 films with the intent of watching one everyday. That is usually the intent. However, I generally get to watch about ten of them before something attracted my attention. Perhaps, I will post a few on the newer ones next month. 

Meanwhile, I have set up my hydroponic systems with the usual herbs and vegetables. They are growing well. As for what they are, you can check out my previous posts, because today's plants are of the same variety as back then. I found that these plants grow easily, and are easy to maintain as well as being tasty additions to our diet.

Perhaps one day I will give you pictorial tour of the sunroom, and then tell you how I put it together. Since it is my first experience with a sunroom, there was a lot I had to learn about shielding the plants from the sun rays, its heat and humility, and also what are the right types of cooling and heating systems.  

You say, "Heating systems. This is Florida. Why would you need a heating system? 

Well, yes it is Florida, and during some of the past winters it has been pretty cold. Since it is my educated guess that this sunroom is not insulated, I believe it will as cold out there as it can get hot right now. Therefore, good portable cooling and heating system is very helpful. But more on all things sunroom on a later date. Right now, I am working on some minor things that will make the sunroom the perfect place to drink a cup of tea and watch the sun rise, read a book, or better yet, toast a brilliant sunset goodnight with a glass of wine. 

Until then,

Happy Halloween!

Future Posts

Hello, Darlings,

UPDATE: MAY 25, 2025

 When I wrote the previous post below, I started some come confusion. We wanted the help of family members during our move due to our advance ages and physical ailments. To correct the mistaken idea that we are alone and without help, I want to state that what we cannot do ourselves, we will have the help of professional movers. This move is just a little harder on us physically and the extra hands of family would be helpful.

------------------------------

Because I have badly injured my left ankle, plantar fascia and Achilles tendon muscles on New Year ’s Day, I have not been able to work in my container garden outside, many of the plants out there have died. Now, we have to move to a new resident, and there is only the two of us to do the work, which meaning things will be made harder because I can only stand and move about on my foot for a short period of times. Depending on the activity, I use foot braces, my cane and crutches or wheelchair to get about.

I share this information, because until we are resettled in a new resident, there will no new post.

Until next time,

Chow, Darlings

Evelyn’s Indoor Garden: ‘Gardening Indoors under Artificial Lights’ Journal Entry April 7, 2025

  Monday, April 07.2025

Today, I am trying to root a couple avocado seeds. Instead of placing the seeds in a dark place like my first attempt two years ago, I have placed these two seeds on the top level of my large hydroponic system. I was tempted to place them inside the system, but I want to view the whole rooting process. As many growers know, Avocado seeds take weeks to root, so I added 1/8 teaspoon of rooting medium to their water. 

 

Sadly, my first attempt at rooting an avocado seed was technically not a failure. It rooted as expected, and sprouted as expected but after so many week, in a dark place, mainly out of sight, out of mind, as the old saying goes. What I ended up with was a very tall and sickly pale stem with dwarf leaves that no amount of nursing would bring it into good health.

Nevertheless, and on to one of my successful propagated plants, below is a current photo of the Ficus Benjamina (Wintergreen Weeping Fig Tree cuttings that I rooted back on August 18, 2023. The pot contains to cuttings that doing well. Sometime, perhaps, later this year, I add a few more cuttings to fill the pot and to someday match the mother pant.