So, here's a pondering I hope everyone will weigh in on...

My brain is still trying to piece EVERYTHING together. With my limited knowledge I can see uses (pros) for every hydro/aero/DWC/Kratky/fog/mist/tower/drip system of growing as well as why/when each fails (cons)...one size does not fit all. As someone who really likes and wants to grow a wide variety of plants (herbs, greens, grains, fruits, veggies, flowers, etc.) I can't help but wonder how to use the best of everything (systems and modalities) to be able to get the best from every single seed I germinate/plant I clone in the space I will have available while getting the most benefits out of limited supplies and resources...limiting water and nutrient waste, dependence on electrical availability to help minimize costs, allow efficient space utilization, etc.🤔 And then, just for s&g's (💩&😆s) throw in edible mushrooms of the non-psycedelic kind! Can it be done?

I am of the opinion, based on the information from the experience of others that seed germination is best done using rockwool cubes in trays with domes. ✅ After that, things get hazy, crazy, and downright complicated!!😶‍🌫️🙃🤪😳🤯🤣😉🤔🧐

When the infant seedlings outgrow the germination tray yet are not ready for a tower or DWC environment, could a kratky set-up be a next temporary home to allow more space for roots and plants to grow larger and stronger? Smaller footprint requires less in regard to lighting, temp and humidity control, nutrient and pH adjustments, and less exposure to fungus, bacteria, algae, etc. before acquiring the ability to defend against them (think newborn humans before they are immunized.) Squash, cucumber, watermelon, and other seeds are huge when they germinate and their seedlings grow rapidly while other seeds are tiny and their seedlings stay tiny much longer. (Some plants themselves, even when full grown are actually quite small.) Larger seedlings also require more water and nutrients than the smaller ones and light height must be raised to eliminate burning etc. The smaller seedlings would suffer in an environment change that met the needs of the larger tray-mates...leggy weak stems, or death from lack of water and nutrients when root growth doesn't meet drastic changes in water levels from thirstier and more aggressive feeders, etc.

As the seedlings continue to grow, depending on the type of plant, for a time would/could they thrive and actually do really well sharing a system with other plants that have the same lighting, nutrient, space and environmental requirements until they reach the stage where they actually need their home to be tailored specifically for them with regards to root space, water and nutrients, environmental temp, humidity, and lights, trellising, caging, etc.? Example: sharing a vertical tower before a final home in a DWC that is drip fed or utilizes an air pump and air stones and uses cages and trellises to support optimal growth.

Succession planting allows for 24/7/365 harvesting while it only requires having one or two of some plants at each stage of growth at any one time yet still enjoying a plentiful harvest. Not all plants have the same lifespan, the same number of days between germination and days until harvest, or length of time at each stage of growth. Outdoor gardening has a limited growth season based on location and the natural environment. Indoor gardening removes those limitations set by temperature and hours of daylight. It also removes the need to grow multiple plants at the same time to provide a harvest abundant enough to provide food during the timespan that gardening is not possible in the existing environment...aka during the dead of winter or the height of summer.🌞 It means that there will be different plants with different requirements all of the time but not necessarily enough plants to require/warrant an entire system for each for the duration or space for them footprint-wise at the ground level...700 total square foot of living space apartment vs multi-floor, multi-room house, building, structure, etc.

As confusing as it all sounds, basically what I'm asking is what do I have to do so that I can grow everything I want to grow in my apartment? I know I won't be able to grow everything in a tower no matter how tall it is. I also know that not everything can be grown in the same tent (or even in a tent) with the same lighting, temperature, humidity, etc. I want apples, oranges, pears, peaches, plums, berries, potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, rhubarb, brussel sprouts, greens, roots like carrots, rutabaga, kohlrabi, turnips, parsnips, beets, squashes, beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, garlic, onions, flowers, etc. to eat, to use in teas, to use for natural medicinal remedies, for cleaning and disinfecting and deodorizing, for hair and skin care...I want a farm in a one bedroom apartment! Not really much at all.😉If I can't have it all, how much can I have?

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