Gina
8-31-11, 2:01am
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=524&d=1314768760
After reading about growing lettuce hydroponically outside in the sun in hot central Australia over their hot summers, I decided to try to grow lettuce through the summer this year. They use fancier set-ups, but I have been successful with what is called 'passive' hydroponics. This is the simplist, most primitive form and requires no special apparatus, just standing water - or rather dilute mineral solution. I use miracle grow and ammonium sulfate with epsom salts and a calcium source added. This is diluted 1 tsp/gallon, plus a little vinegar added to the water to reduce our high pH. I apply this once/week or so, and also add tap water to the basins so nothing ever goes dry. If there is too much fertilizer, the tips of the leaves will burn. I keep about a half inch of liquid in the 'trays' at all times.
We have had mild weather this summer along the coast, with only a few days of over 80*s. If the leaves are wilting on a hot day or windy day, I will cover the set-up with shade cloth for a few hours, though I prefer not to since that's added work. I've only had to do that twice this summer. I'll also mist the leaves if I am walking past on a warm day.
The medium is half perlite, half planting mix. I am using black plastic plant bands that are used for rooting cuttings. They are 2.5X2.5 X5inches tall. I think regular 4 inch plastic pots would work too. these are standing in anything that holds water. Most of the containers with the more mature lettuce plants are regular nursery flats ca. 15 X 15 inches, with unpunctured plastic in the bottom as the solution reservoir. There are newspapers beneath to help prevent punctures.
The lettuce is purchased seed, then germinated in plug flats. I use many varieties but in summer prefer the crisp head batavians. Any lettuce that is labeled 'slow to bolt', or 'heat resistent' would be a good candidate to try.
Because of our voracious critters (birds, ground squirrels, rabbits, gophers) the lettuce is enclosed on all sides by wire. There is also wire over the top that is rolled back for the photo (and of course harvest.) And everything is on a raised 'table'.
This evening I harvested the first leaves of these plants after taking the picture. It was so tender and luscious, it was almost a crime to eat it. :~) I'm definitely doing this again next summer. And soon I'll also be trying to grow some oriental greens using the same system.
After reading about growing lettuce hydroponically outside in the sun in hot central Australia over their hot summers, I decided to try to grow lettuce through the summer this year. They use fancier set-ups, but I have been successful with what is called 'passive' hydroponics. This is the simplist, most primitive form and requires no special apparatus, just standing water - or rather dilute mineral solution. I use miracle grow and ammonium sulfate with epsom salts and a calcium source added. This is diluted 1 tsp/gallon, plus a little vinegar added to the water to reduce our high pH. I apply this once/week or so, and also add tap water to the basins so nothing ever goes dry. If there is too much fertilizer, the tips of the leaves will burn. I keep about a half inch of liquid in the 'trays' at all times.
We have had mild weather this summer along the coast, with only a few days of over 80*s. If the leaves are wilting on a hot day or windy day, I will cover the set-up with shade cloth for a few hours, though I prefer not to since that's added work. I've only had to do that twice this summer. I'll also mist the leaves if I am walking past on a warm day.
The medium is half perlite, half planting mix. I am using black plastic plant bands that are used for rooting cuttings. They are 2.5X2.5 X5inches tall. I think regular 4 inch plastic pots would work too. these are standing in anything that holds water. Most of the containers with the more mature lettuce plants are regular nursery flats ca. 15 X 15 inches, with unpunctured plastic in the bottom as the solution reservoir. There are newspapers beneath to help prevent punctures.
The lettuce is purchased seed, then germinated in plug flats. I use many varieties but in summer prefer the crisp head batavians. Any lettuce that is labeled 'slow to bolt', or 'heat resistent' would be a good candidate to try.
Because of our voracious critters (birds, ground squirrels, rabbits, gophers) the lettuce is enclosed on all sides by wire. There is also wire over the top that is rolled back for the photo (and of course harvest.) And everything is on a raised 'table'.
This evening I harvested the first leaves of these plants after taking the picture. It was so tender and luscious, it was almost a crime to eat it. :~) I'm definitely doing this again next summer. And soon I'll also be trying to grow some oriental greens using the same system.