DIY Hydroponics Lettuce: Easy Growing Using Kratky Method, Foam Mat Grow Medium. Passive, Low Effort
DIY Hydroponics Lettuce: Easy Growing Using Kratky Method, Foam Mat Grow Medium. Passive, Low Effort
Showing various stages of growing lettuce using Kratky method and DIY materials.
Lessons:
I've tried various materials, from styrofoam cups, to plastic cups, to yogurt cups, to foam noodles, dish washing sponges and clay pebbles. They all work. You can grow lettuce in just about any container, as long as the nutrient solution, lighting and environment temperature are ideal. The big difference is the time and effort needed to maintain the plants. The ones I've mentioned takes plenty of time to clean and manage. They're prone to algae build-up, which negatively impacts growth. The pebbles and net basket can get messy. Never a fan of disposables, like rockwool. As I don't want to keep buying things for each new batch.
Kratky method is passive, and it's perfect if you don't want to spend all your time on your plants. One lettuce consumes up to 4 liters for it's entire cycle, so the 2liter jar works for me. I only have to top it off if it goes below 2/3, about halfway through it's cycle (approximately, after one month in production.)
I've settled with these materials (and steps):
Germination:
plastic food container. (see? not single-use plastic after all.)
paper towel (the only consumable.)
tap water
Procedure: Seeds stored in fridge until they germinate. Then moved under close light for 2 weeks.
Propagation:
plastic cracker container (2 liter) - 40 plant capacity.
foam mat grow medium
50% water, 50% nutrient solution
air pump (Optional. Was only used to troubleshoot growth. Was pH issue, not aeration.)
Procedure: seedlings kept under close light until leaves are 2-3 inches long.
Production:
2Liter jar w/ 2.8" cap hole.
foam mat grow medium.
100% nutrient solution.
Procedure: lettuce grown up to 2 months for multiple harvest. Foam mat must not touch water to avoid algae build-up. First harvest starts as early as 3 weeks after transplant.
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