How I started my Hydroponics

My profession is Software Engineer, a bit far or not related to farming right? It started when my colleague introduce to me about Hydroponics, at first  I don't have any idea on it, this is the first time I've heard about this farming technique. I got curious so I did some research on how, when, or where Hydroponics started. So I think this is the first step I did, do some research about this farming technique.

Second thing was I did is to buy some:

1. Lettuce seeds, 
2. SNAP solution, and 
3. Rock wool.

When my package arrive, I am excited to plant those seed. So I started planting those seeds at around 2PM in the afternoon little did I know that this is not the best time to plant those seed - this is my first mistake. It is better to plant seeds around 5pm before the night begins.

But fortunately the seeds germinated even I planted it in the wrong time. All I did was

1. I soak the Rock wool with the water with Kalamansi in it for about 30 mins
2. Remove the water in the container where the Rock wool is soak and let the water drip
3. Until the Rock wool is not too wet, I place 1-2 seeds in the hole of the Rock wool
4. I cover the container, I put some hole in it to allow the oxygen to enter
5. And I leave it in dark place, where the there is no direct sunlight

After 7 days of germination, I put the Rock wool in Styrofoam cup (8oz) with a hole underneath.

I purchase orange pvc pipe and put a hole in it using drill, I close both ends so the water won't escape. Place it where there are sunlight at around 6am-12NN. This method is called Kratky method.

So that's it, after 35 days my lettuce is ready for consumption. To be honest, my first lettuce has a bitter taste on it. The error I was done is I harvested it late days and during afternoon, the best harvest day is 28 days and around 5am-6am or at night.

Noted: All written information in here is based on my experience and its up to you if you want to follow or not, If you chose to follow I can't guarantee to you that your plant will grow as expected. Growing plants has a lot of factors.