Change in Lettuce Texture/Growth Rate

[leeforst]

Hi All --- first post here. I have 2x Farm and 1x Farm Plus running every 40-60 days with new lettuce seeds. I am an avid outdoor gardener and started this past fall/winter doing my lettuce indoors - gettting my seeds from Territorial Seed in OR and Johnny's in ME, as I always have. 

Have had really good yields of various romaines, arugula, loose leafs for the past 6 months (aside from some occasional tip burn, both inner and outer) but recently,I've noticed the same seeds, same method but they are a little slower growing and it's lost its crispness/has a more textured surface/rubbery. 

Outside has been much hotter here in PA recently, but I do these in the basement and it's always between 40-50% RH and around 68 degrees. I did buy newer large bottles of Aeorgarden brand liquid food directly from them, but can't image thats it? 

I read about putting ice cubes in the water from time to time.... 

Any ideas would be great and thanks in advance

[Shawn]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

First, isn't it great to have lettuce at your fingertips all year round


May I ask a few questions that may help anyone reading your question.

*  Are you always adding in the same amount of seeds?  

*  Is there enough room? Are they cramped or crowded?

*  Is the water being kept cool?

*  How long are your harvests?  Meaning do you keep them growing for months or just harvest a few times and start over?  If I am reading correctly, you keep them going for a couple of months?

I ask the above because, me personally, only harvests three times and start fresh.  However others do keep them going for months.

* Are they the same variety or are you always trying new ones?  Some may grow different them others.

As for the AG Nutes.  I have no clue.  That is all I use and I have new and older bottles.  I need to keep notice on what I am using and how things are growing 


Others may have different questions as well as some help for you.

First thing that came to mind ....Are you comparing the leaves that are harvested and regrowing WITHIN an ongoing project, or are you comparing separate freshly planted projects with completed  past ones?

[leeforst]

Thanks for the inquiries --- I'm comparing to 38 days and 12 days so old & new so I just don't get the chewy almost rubbery texture all the sudden. 

The harvests of the same kinds of lettuce and seeds were crisp and firm for the last 6 months from fall on so don't get it. 

Maybe more ice everyday in the bins?