How to Grow Hydroponic Lettuce

Growing plants with the hydroponic method is great when there is little space for gardening. Hydroponic lettuce is easy to grow and requires little maintenance.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Oasis Root Cubes
• Lettuce seeds
• Shallow dish
• Water
• Plastic cones
• 5-gallon bucket with tight-fitting lid
• Utility knife
• Fertilizer
• Epsom salt
• Calcium carbonate

1. Place one lettuce seed in each Oasis Root Cube. Set the cubes in a dish of water and leave them for 2 weeks. Check the water frequently.

2. Pick a large, dark-colored, plastic container for growing the plants. Cut holes in the lid of the container just large enough to hold the plastic growing cones.

3. Place a growing cone in each hole in the lid. Set the lid and the cones aside.

4. Mix 2 tsp. water-soluble hydroponic fertilizer 8-15-36, 1 tsp. Epsom salt and 2 tsp. calcium nitrate in a small cup of water. Stir until the granules are mostly dissolved.

5. Fill the growing container with 5 gallons water. Pour the nutrient solution into the growing container and stir the water.

6. Securely fasten the lid to the growing container. Place one seedling, with the oasis growing cube, in each cone.

7. Place the growing container in a location that will receive full sunlight for part of the day. Place the container where it will be safe from rainwater and sprinkling systems.

Tips & Warnings

• Harvest hydroponic lettuce in 4 to 6 weeks after planting.
• Use a 5-gallon storage bucket for the growing container.
• Find fertilizing solutions and nutrients at gardening and home improvement stores.
• Excess water will cause the growing solution to be diluted, and the lettuce will not grow as well.

[oceanwiser]

on 7/8/2009 Wonderful article. The addition of Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salt) and Calcium Nitrate is a great way to keep the Brix level high in your plants.

Burton Dale