Contents
Lettuce in hydroponics involves growing a crop in an artificial environment, the soil is not used. The system completely provides the plant with nutrients, allows you to adjust the temperature and humidity of the environment, intensity, duration of lighting and other factors.
Can lettuce be grown hydroponically?
Growing lettuce hydroponically at home is not only possible, but also effective. The method provides the following advantages:
- rapid growth of culture;
- providing all the necessary nutrients;
- high yield – it is possible to increase several times;
- no need for constant watering;
- no soil pests;
- ecological cleanliness;
- weeds are almost non-existent.
Method principle
Hydroponics involves the use of a nutrient solution. Lettuce roots are immersed in it, which draw out the elements necessary for growth and development. An automatic supply of nutrient solution is provided, which greatly facilitates the care of the culture.
Hydroponic systems are either passive or active. The former are also called wicks. Nutrient solution without mechanical action comes due to capillary forces. In active hydroponics, the liquid circulates, so a pump is needed. In parallel, an aeration system is usually required.
Growing lettuce in hydroponics is less labor intensive than growing in soil, and requires less water and nutrients.
How much lettuce grows in hydroponics
The timing of growing lettuce hydroponically depends on the variety. The duration and brightness of the lighting also matter. The process usually takes 30-45 days. When growing for food for yourself, you can also use small young leaves after 2,5-3 weeks.
Selecting Lettuce Variety for Hydroponics
Suitable for hydroponics lettuce and leaf, and head. For the flow method, the following varieties of culture are recommended:
- Amateur;
Aficion – dense light green leaves, distillation for about 30 days, resistance to bolting, marginal necrosis
- Starfighter;
The Starfighter has the same characteristics as the previous variety, but the color is deep dark green.
- Actarus;
Actarus has long and thin leaves, high resistance to marginal burns, internal necrosis
- Murai;
Murai is an oak-leaved variety, it has red leaves, a large volumetric rosette, resistance to shooting
- Maximus.
The Maximus variety has a large rosette of vertically standing rich green leaves, high endurance, resistance to shooting.
How to grow lettuce hydroponically
There are several basic types of system, each with its own characteristics and advantages. First you need to grow lettuce seedlings for hydroponics. Seeds are usually sown in cassettes with a peat substrate. Its abundant moisture is a must. Instead of peat cassettes, cotton or moss is also used.
Seeds are sprinkled with a thin layer of the substrate or do without it. Germination in a chamber at a humidity of 100% and a temperature of 18-20 ° C takes 1-3 days.
Seeds are soaked in water at room temperature before germination. To speed up the process, growth stimulants such as Epin, Tsitovit are used.
floating platform
This method is also called deep water culture system, DWS or WaterFarm. It involves a tank and an aeration device. The container is filled with a nutrient solution, in which only lettuce roots are immersed. The above-ground part of the plant is located on a foam platform.
The substrate in a floating platform system is usually expanded clay. Throughout the season, one solution is used, adding the necessary substances and water as necessary.
The process of growing lettuce with such a hydroponics system is continuous – one platform is removed, immediately installing another
It’s easy to make floating hydroponic lettuce growing platforms. For this you need:
- a container of a suitable size that does not transmit light – you can cover it with black paint or wrap it with foil;
- hydroponics pots – you can buy them or make your own from plastic yogurt jars;
- sheet foam – thickness 20-30 mm, width and length according to the internal dimensions of the container;
- air compressor for aquarium;
- substrate – expanded clay, gravel, coconut chips;
- nutrient solution – it is better to use the finished product, diluting it according to the instructions.
The system preparation algorithm is simple:
- Make holes in the foam sheet that match the size of the pots – they should be placed freely, but not fall through.
- Prepare nutrient solution according to instructions.
- Fill a large container with the solution.
- Assemble the unit by connecting the air compressor.
- Fill pots with substrate.
- Insert the containers into the holes of the foam sheet so that the bottom does not reach the liquid by about 5-10 mm.
After such preparation, it remains to plant the lettuce in hydroponics. Do this after sprouting. Transplanting lettuce into hydroponics is carried out carefully so as not to damage the root system.
When growing lettuce in hydroponics, control the pH and concentration of the nutrient solution
Hydroponics dry
The dry method is called because of the air pocket that separates the root system and the aerial part of the plant. This imitates normal natural conditions, has a good effect on yield and ripening time. The main disadvantage of the method is the need for two containers for different microelements. Their mixing causes a reaction leading to precipitation.
Flowing nutrient layer
This hydroponics system is also called the NFT method. This method is the most common for growing lettuce and culinary greens.
The NFT plant ensures constant circulation of the nutrient solution, and its layer is thin. Water and air have a large contact area. Nutrients are distributed and washed out evenly. This allows you to minimize labor – you only need to periodically add water and trace elements. Based on plant load. It is easy to make an NFT system with your own hands.
In the NFT plant, only the tips of the roots are placed in the solution, but at the same time, the majority of the underground part of the lettuce is provided with 100% moisture.
Greenery care
For growing lettuce hydroponically, the optimum temperature is 18-25 °C. If the room is too hot, then the flowering phase will begin faster. This does not reflect well on the taste of the leaves, bitterness appears in it.
Culture needs good lighting, so LED phyto or standard table (wall) lamps are used. In the summer, they are usually not needed. Additional lighting is required in early spring and in the autumn-winter period.
For the first three days, it is recommended to provide round-the-clock lighting so that lettuce sprouts do not stretch. After 12-16 hours is enough.
When growing lettuce hydroponically, it is imperative to control the nutrient solution. It is necessary to add water and the necessary substances in a timely manner. Once every 2-4 weeks, the nutrient solution is recommended to be completely renewed.
A hydroponic lettuce grow room should be well ventilated. If this is not possible, install a small ceiling fan at minimum speed. Light airflow is important to reduce the risk of marginal burns.
Conclusion
Hydroponic lettuce is an effective way to quickly grow a crop at home. Such a system does not require soil, but a nutrient solution is needed. It is used for root dipping or drip spraying. For beginners, it is better to use a ready-made preparation for diluting the solution.
