Growing Hydroponic Lettuce
Hydroponics or “working water” is a way of growing plants without soil. The grower provides the plants with all of the nutrients they would usually get from the soil though water instead. Hydroponics can be scaled down and used by a home gardener as well as on a larger production scale. If you are new to hydroponics, growing hydroponic lettuce is a good place to start. Novice farmers will find that plants are forgiving and easy to work with.
You will need to prepare for starting your hydroponics garden two weeks in advance of actually planting the lettuce. First, gather your equipment. You will need a 5-gallon container with a lid. Darkness helps keep algae from growing so it is best to use dark plastic containers. If all you can find is a clear plastic container then you will need to cover it with aluminum foil or betteryet dark plastic film. You will need a growing medium also. What works well for lettuce are root cubes, specifically Oasis root cubes. Root cubes are a growth medium that is pre-formed and easy to handle. They should be designed for propagation and ahve a neutral ph. Of course, you will also need your lettuce seedlings. Two weeks in advance of the planting, insert the seedlings in the growth cubes, and keep them in a dish of water.
While your seedlings are in water, you can prepare the lid of your container for planting. Take plastic planting cones, and trace their outlines on the lids. You can get on a 5-gallon lid four to six evenly spaced, but be careful not to get them too close to the edge of the lid. After tracing circles with the plastic planting cones cut them out and insert them into the holes.
Now you can create your water nutrient solution. In hydroponic growing the most crucial step is to remember you must supply via water all the nutrients plants would normally get through the soil. There are many pre-mixed hydroponics solutions on the market, and one of these should be the base for your solution. In a 5-gallon drum you take 2 tsp of pre-mixed hydroponic fertilizer or you can also use 8-15-36, 1 tsp of Epsom salt, and 2 tsp of calcium nitrate. In a cup of water dissolve each of these ingredients one at a time and then add the water to the drum. Once you have added your nutrients, fill the drum to near the top with water.
After your seedlings have been sitting in water for two weeks, they are ready to add to the planters. With duct tape secure the lid on the drum first. Inside the plastic planting cones, which should already be in the holes you made in your drum lid, place the root cubes with the seedling in it. Hydroponic lettuce needs plenty of sunlight; about equal amounts of direct and indirect sunlight works best.
You will need to keep an eye on the plants for any insects or worms. If by chance you see any insects you must remove them by hand. Pesticides are not recommended for growth projects on such a small scale as this even though they are used in hydroponic gardening. Be sure the plants are taking water by keeping an eye on the water level in the drum and you also want to be sure it doesn’t get too low.
Within 4 to 5 weeks, you should have fully grown lettuce plants, ready to pick. Simply remove the leaves to pick. There are some hydroponic growth mediums that are recyclable, however root cubes are not and should only be used one time.
Hydroponic Lettuce Farm In Georgia
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