So You Want to Grow Hydroponic Lettuce
Hydroponics is the growth of plants without using soil and the name means. The grower provides through water instead all of the nutrients they would normally get from the soil. 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 then a good place to start is growing hydroponic lettuce. The plants are easy to work with and forgiving to novice gardeners.
You will need to prepare for starting your hydroponics garden two weeks in advance of actually planting the lettuce. The first thing you do is gather your equipment. You will need to get a container that is 5-gallon size with a lid. Using a dark plastic container works the best as it helps prevent algae from growing. 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. Also you will need a growing medium. Oasis root cubes work well for hydroponic lettuce. 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 prior to planting you must insert the seedlings in the growth cube and then place them in a dish of water.
While your seedlings are in water, you can prepare the lid of your container for planting. Place the plastic planting cones on the lids and trace their outline. Try not to get too close to the edge but four to six should fit on a 5-gallon lid evenly spaced. 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. The nutrients plants would normally get through the soil must be supplied via water, in hydroponic growing this is most crucial. 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. One ingredient at a time should be dissolved in a cup of water and then pour it in the drum. Fill the drum almost to the top with water after you have added your nutrients.
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. Then, place the seedlings, inside the root cubes, into the plastic planting cones, which should already by in the holes you made in your drum lid. Equal amounts of direct and indirect sunlight works best as hydroponic lettuce needs plenty of sunlight.
You will need to keep an eye on the plants for any insects or worms. If you do see insects, you should 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. Also, keep an eye on the water in the drum, make sure the plants are taking water, and make sure the water level is not getting too low.
Within 4 to 5 weeks, you should have fully grown lettuce plants, ready to pick. It is simple to pick just remove the leaves. Root cubes should not be used more than once though some kinds of hydroponic growth mediums can be recycled.
