uplb-ipb Archives - SNAP Hydroponics Nutrient Solution

Posted on October 16, 2018September 22, 2021 by Happy Grower

The Scenic Route to UPLB-IPB

Getting to UPLB-IPB to participate in the SNAP Hydroponics training or buying supplies can be tricky. In a previous post I discussed how to get to UPLB-IPB by taking the UPLB-IPB shuttle that leaves UPLB at 8:00AM daily. In case you missed the shuttle you have the option to take public transportation on your way to UPLB-IPB which will also involve a 1.2km walk along Pili Drive. The same route can be taken if you are driving to UPLB-IPB.

Take the UP College-Kaliwa jeep which will take you to UPLB gate. The jeep will turn left (kaliwa) which will take you to College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology (CEAT, se-yat) which is along Pili Drive. If you’re driving you may need to leave an ID for a pass.

Your stop is hard to miss because lots of engineering students will alight in CEAT and Pili Drive is the road just beside it. Right across Pili Drive, opposite CEAT is the College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS). When facing CAFS turning left along Pili will take you to IRRI.

A sign across the road that says ?College of Agriculture and Food Science? — College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS) along Pili Dr.

It’s 1.2km to IRRI. Fortunately, the road is flanked by pili trees (thus the name) to provide shade. UPLB students regularly walk along Pili Drive too so you’re in good company.

Road flanked by pili trees. — Pili Drive towards IRRI.

At the intersection of Pili Drive and IPB Road is IRRI Headquarters.

When facing IRRI HQ, turning right along IPB Road will take you UPLB-IPB which is 1.4km away. You can ride a tricycle to UPLB-IPB.

Then make your way to Plant Physiology Lab.

Just follow the same route to make your way back. That’s it!

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Happy growing!

Posted on July 30, 2018September 22, 2021 by Happy Grower

In Pictures: A Short Tour of UPLB-IPB’s SNAP Hydroponics Setups

In an effort to get people to know more about hydroponics gardening in our town, I partnered up with a friend to start distributing SNAP in our home town of Gumaca, Quezon. Our first order of business is to get SNAP Hydroponics nutrient solutions from UPLB-IPB. Thus, with a borrowed Toyata Wigo we went to UPLB-IPB to get some supplies.

Picture of a sign at the door of the Physiology Lab. It reads — SNAP Hydroponics Training RM. Physiology Lab

When we got there we were greeted by Doc Boy and Tita Susan. Doc Boy is busy as expected. We exchanged greetings as Tita Susan ushered us to the next building where we load up styrofoam grape boxes full of SNAP Hydroponics nutrient solutions. When we have finished loading I asked Tita Susan if it’s OK to show my friend around the complex so he can learn more about SNAP Hydroponics. She gladly obliged and even introduced us to kuya Alfred who took us in a short SNAP tour.

various seedlings in sowing trays. — Various seedlings ins different stages of development for use in SNAP Hydroponics gardening

The greenhouse is as packed as ever. Various plants in different stages of development are inside the greenhouse. Kuya Alfred demonstrated how seedlings are transferred to seedling plugs.

Next we are shown how to make styrofoam grow boxes.

Demonstrating How to Make Growboxes — Using a DIY tool to make holes on the top halves of grow boxes.

Because the greenhouse is not enclosed some pests makes it inside.

ipb-trip-8 — That thing that looks like a butterfly is a pest.

They lay their eggs on the plants.

Eggs hatch and produce larvae. They can eat a whole plant in just a day.

Below are pictures of their active hydroponics setups.

An A-f — NFT setup using round PVC pipes. Another setup is under construction next to it. It uses rectangular pipes

front view of an a-frame NFT setup — Front view of an A-frame NFT setup. On the floor on the left side is the reservoir for the nutrient solution.

plants shown growing in an NFT hydroponic system

Kuya Alfred showing us the roots of hydroponically grown lettuce.

a-frame NFT with some dying plants. — Some of the plants have wilted because their root system has been disturbed by curious visitors.

examining the nutrient pump — Kuya Alfred reading the specifications of the nutrient pump. The label says it is strong enough to take water for up to 1.2m.

The tour ended with smiles and handshakes. Kuya Alfred is another passionate and knowledgable SNAP Hydroponics grower and it is a treat to have spent sometime with him talking about hydroponics. Me and my friend learned a lot.

picture of a happy grower with the IPB text in the background. — Took this picture of another happy grower on on our way back.

That’s all! Good luck and happy growing!

Posted on July 26, 2018September 22, 2021 by Happy Grower — 8 Comments

In Pictures: Training on Hydroponics Vegetable Production with Emphasis on SNAP Hydroponics

Banner with text that reads "Welcome Participants Training Course on Hydroponics Vegetable Production With Emphasis on SNAP Hydroponics Plant Physiology Laboratory Institute of Plant Breading"

Because of the increased interest in SNAP Hydroponics, I’m often asked: “What is the SNAP Hydroponics training/seminar like?” In this post I attempt to answer this question in pictures. The seminar entitled “Training on Hydroponics Vegetable Production with Emphasis on SNAP Hydroponics” is held in UPLB-IPB every second and fourth Tuesday of each month. It starts at 8:00AM and ends at around 4-5PM.

Tita Susan speaking to trainees — An introduction by Tita Susan.

Doc Boy?s Lecture — Doc Boy’s lecture on the principles of hydroponics.

Doc Weng?s addressing trainees — Doc Weng’s Lecture on how SNAP works.

trainees working on their growboxes — Trainees working on their growboxes. Imagine how squeaky it is in the room.

trainees using a hand saw to prepare their seedling plugs. — Trainees working on their seedling plugs.

Doc Boy surrounded by plants and trainees — Doc Boy showing trainees plants grown in SNAP Hydroponics

Doc Boy with Trainees — Doc Boy and SNAP trainees

doc boy with NFT setups — Doc Boy showing trainees a couple of NFT systems.

group picture of trainees — Group picture.

That’s all!

Posted on July 5, 2018September 22, 2021 by Happy Grower — 2 Comments

Trust Your Filipino Scientists They Are Our True Heroes

I am so delighted to meet Doc Boy and Doc Weng in UPLB-IPB. I played it cool but, deep inside, I was jumping for joy. They are my heroes. They are true Filipino scientists who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others at their own expense and great personal sacrifice. I trust them and I thank them for their service to our nation and the rest of the world.

I’m a science buff. I read about he lives of scientists. I’m inspired by their selfless sacrifices to improve our lives today and in the future. The lifestyle we are living today are from those who looked for answers for us. With great courage they explored for us. Their efforts shaped our modern world.

Doc Boy and Doc Weng are respected scientists in their fields. And their expertise in hydroponics vegetable production is a valuable asset to the growing industry of hydroponics food production. Can you imagine how much they are turning their back from? When I asked Doc Boy if he would consider Doc Weng and himself as the foremost experts in hydroponics in the Philippines he humbly replied that he wasn’t sure.

Hydroponics is the future. Why? Because NASA is experimenting with hydroponics food production in outer space. In space where we will be living in the future long after we changed the climate and made most of the world inhabitable, we will be living in space and we will be growing plants with hydroponics.

Hydroponics is the future because our population is growing larger. Arable lands are growing smaller. They are caused by the mismanagement of natural resources and yes, climate change. Soon with limited space, and with a huge population, we will be living in a crowded world and, by the powers that be, will be required to produce food with hydroponics.

Doc Boy and Doc Weng are heroes for lending their expertise for the benefit of the nation. Their important, innovative and pioneering work in making hydroponics accessible to Filipinos is paving the way for our future. A future that I’m confident will be a bright one.

P.S.

Please talk about your Filipino scientists, talk about how they are changing your lives for the better. Tell them how much you appreciate their work. I know it’s harder than tweeting about your favourite TV show or celebrity. You might get the usual “edi wow.” But who cares. It’s just one time. How hard can it be?

Posted on July 4, 2018September 22, 2021 by Happy Grower — 21 Comments

How to Get to UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding for the Training Course on Hydroponics Vegetable Production with Emphasis on SNAP Hydroponics

Completing the short training course on hydroponics vegetable production with emphasis on SNAP Hydroponics is one of the requirements for being an authorised reseller of SNAP Hydroponics nutrient solutions. The training course is conducted in Plant Physiology Laboratory in UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding. This guide will show you how to get there if you are interested on being trained on hydroponics vegetable production for your hobby or business.

Where is the UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB)?

It is far from the UPLB campus and is a little challenging to get to. Do not despair because there is a shuttle that ferries people from UPLB to UPLB-IPB.

I’m commuting. How Do I Get There?

It’s easy to commute to UPLB. Get there before 7:30AM. If you are too early you can spend your time in the fast food chains around the area. Ask the guards for directions to the admin building parking lot. It’s not very far. If you are facing the gate it’s the very first building to your left. Remember to obey traffic rules. Smoking and littering are prohibited inside the campus.

picture showing the admin building parking lot with the admin building in the backdrop — This is the admin building parking lot early in the morning.

The easiest commute route is commuting to UPLB campus and riding the free shuttle service that ferries staff and student from the UPLB campus to UPLB-IPB.

The shuttle service is free for everyone. If you are there by 7:30 AM queues should start forming. Be sure to ask which shuttle the queue is for before you queue. Because you might be queuing for the wrong one.

Queue of students getting on the UPLB-IPB shuttle. — Queue of students getting on the UPLB-IPB shuttle

The shuttle can get pretty crowded. You might need to give up your seat to someone who needs it more than you. Please be considerate.

The ride is going to take around 15 mins. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. The shuttle is going to take you directly to UPLB-IPB.

When the bus stops, get off and take the path immediately facing the bus door. Follow it to the Physiology Lab.

I have my own vehicle. How do I get there?

You can use navigation apps. You can also try and tail the UPLB-IPB shuttle when it leaves for it’s 7:45AM trip as I described above. Just make sure to ask the shuttle’s driver if it is OK.