This is for the Deputy Gardener, Cybernetic Meadows, but may be of interest to others who want to know about looking after hydroponic crops.

Target EC 1800uS/cm. Up to 2000 ok, much more and they may struggle. Much less and they will grow slower.

Start with 5ml concentrated hydroponic chilli feed, and 1ml dilute phosphoric acid, per 1 litre of water.

There is some pH paper which you could use to confirm pH is around 5.8, but it generally is so I don't usually check.

Measure EC and adjust to 1800. EC meter can display two units. Check it is set to uS/cm, not ppm.

I think the tanks hold about 7 litres.

Preferably daily, but every three days sufficient, unless it gets much hotter and they use water faster.

• Check solution. Replace volume and adjust EC.

• Clear dead leaves etc.

• Check general health / appearance of leaves. Dry looking might be lack of water, too strong solution, or damaged roots. Otherwise probably need to search internet for signs.

• Pretend to be a bee. Shake plants, pollinate flowers with paint brush, and/or apply a small vibrator like an electric toothbrush to make them throw pollen around.

Every few weeks, change whole tank for fresh solution.

If roots seem rotten or badly brown, check air bubbler is still in place. Change solution if not done recently. Add some hydrogen peroxide if you have some - consult internet for dosage. Avoid spreading infection to other containers.

All green chillies are unripe. The varieties I am growing are best eaten ripe. Ripeness is indicated by them reaching their final colour, which for the varieties I am growing now are: red, orange, yellow, or white. They may change through another colour first like brown.

Varieties in the garden are:

• Bulgarian Carrot
• Aji Red
• Aji Limon
• Aji Fantasy Sparkly White
• Fantomas Multicolour
• Carolina Reaper

You should probably check their culinary properties on the web before you put them in your mouth. The last one especially should only be cut with suitable PPE (gloves, goggles, maybe respirator), unless you are particularly keen on pain.

Windowsill basil and lettuce. Feed solution: “Ionic” diluted to about 1000uS/cm for both.

Windowsil box of coconut coir: There are a couple of chillies and some basil seedlings / seeds. Allow to mostly dry out before watering, so the roots have a period of getting some air. Fertilise with chilli solution about every second watering.

Small chillies in soil, peace lillies, spider plants, … Water when dry. That means, wait until top of soil is dry before watering again.