Harvest Root Veg Experiment [12/12]

[clumsythumbs]

Machine: Harvest
Seeds: "Seeds 'n Such" (Tokyo Hybrid (x2), Gilfeather (x2), Chiogga Beet and Bull's Blood Beet)
Sponges: Leaf and Urban



Inspired by some of ERR0R1755 experiments and successes, I wanted to try growing some turnips and other root veg.  I order seeds from Seeds 'n Such and got them last weekend.

I got around to planting them in my 2nd Harvest machine Saturday. I planted 2 Tokyo Hyrbid White Turnips, 2 gilfeather (a hybrid of a turnip and rutabaga) and one each of Bull's Blood and Chiogga beets. 

The plan is to harvest the greens while the root matures and then harvest the single veg. ERR0R1755 is doing this pretty successfully. I love beet and turnip greens and the quality of those (when available here) is not great, as they wilt fast. I also love beets and turnips, so win-win-win.

The method ERR0R1755 seemed to be using was to raise the bulb/veg above the sponge and the deck as it matured, but in contact with the water, the stringy root dips down and feeds it. 


2020-12-14_01-07-08 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

[ERR0R1755]

Just to make sure (since there was a bit of confusion in my original thread), you will want to lift the plant and the sponge together (keeping the roots in the sponge) once the bulb of the root vegetable starts forming.
Don't lift just the plant, or you'll rip the roots and kill it :c

[clumsythumbs]

Dec 14, 2020 14:25:42 GMT -5 ERR0R1755 said:

Just to make sure (since there was a bit of confusion in my original thread), you will want to lift the plant and the sponge together (keeping the roots in the sponge) once the bulb of the root vegetable starts forming.
Don't lift just the plant, or you'll rip the roots and kill it :c

Great, thank you for that! I was figuring that was the case, but was not 100% sure and was gonna go back and read through your projects.

[clumsythumbs]

Several of them have started show little sprouts. 1 of the Tokyo Turnips, the Gilfeather, and 1 beet. 

[Sher]

I am anxious to try root vegetables when I can spare the AG space.

I will enjoy following your project.

[clumsythumbs]

All of them have germinated, except for the Bull's Blood Beets. Most have more than 1. Will thin out in the next day or so. 

[clumsythumbs]

Day 21(ish)~

Things are continuing to grow nicely. The Tokyo turnips are looking really nice (see photos below).  The Bull's Blood never germinated, but several of the Chiogga Beets germinated, so moved one of those seedlings in its spot. The gilfeather are growing nicely in terms of roots and foliage, but so far no ball forming...these germinated really nicely. I think most/all of the seeds in each pod germinated, so had to thin out. 

The leaves of the turnips and gilfeathers are large, so seem to be blocking out the beets. Consequently, I moved the beets to the Ultra that has tomatoes and peppers starting. I wondered if in a Harvest it would get too crowded. 

2021-01-04_02-12-45 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

2021-01-04_02-13-16 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr


Am going to continue to monitor for when the root "ball" of the veg forms in the remaining. I could not figure out how to "slide" it out per ERR0R1755 's wonderful tutorial without breaking the roots and killing the plant, so I kind of just peeled away at the pod until it was revealed. Seemed to work fine (hopefully).


Things seem to be growing slowly overall in all my gardens. I suspect this is because of the cold temps in my basement. It stays about 61 degrees down there....under the lights hoods, it is about 64 (per the analog thermometer I have). I am considering moving a space heater down there. I read online that an ambient temp of at least 68 is desirable/ideal for most plants. My lettuce and greens, while growing nicely, are all much smaller compared to my usual timelines. I am wary of the cost of running a space heater in a huge space...but may experiment for a few days and see if it warms the area.

[ERR0R1755]

Jan 4, 2021 15:38:29 GMT -5 clumsythumbs said:

Am going to continue to monitor for when the root "ball" of the veg forms in the remaining. I could not figure out how to "slide" it out per ERR0R1755 's wonderful tutorial without breaking the roots and killing the plant, so I kind of just peeled away at the pod until it was revealed. Seemed to work fine (hopefully).

That turnip looks like it is entirely above the pod, so you should be good to leave it now and not have to worry about it getting stuck

[Sher]

Those bulbs look perfect, clumsythumbs. It looks like peeling away some of the sponge was a good solution.

Yes, the low 60's is a bit cool for most plants, but lettuce is a cool weather crop, so it ought to be happy there. Even if it is growing a little more slowly.

That might be some pretty expensive lettuce if you decide to run the heater. 

[clumsythumbs]

Jan 4, 2021 16:00:26 GMT -5 Sher said:

Those bulbs look perfect, clumsythumbs . It looks like peeling away some of the sponge was a good solution.

Yes, the low 60's is a bit cool for most plants, but lettuce is a cool weather crop, so it ought to be happy there. Even if it is growing a little more slowly.

That might be some pretty expensive lettuce if you decide to run the heater. 

Thanks!  Yes, my thought too!

[clumsythumbs]

Day 28~ 


This continues to do well...or at least the turnips.  The greens of the gilfeather are growing nicely, as are the roots, but still no "ball".  

20210112_121550 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

20210112_121559 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr

The beets had been moved to another machine, as the turnip and gilfeather were crowding them out for light. If/when those take off, may move back. Many of the gilfeathers had germinated, so moved the extras to empty spots in machines; moved one back to this machine. So...currently 2 Tokyo Turnips and 3 Gilfeathers growing.

Did an R&R while tending to the other machines.

If the edible part of the root never forms in the gilfeather and beets, at least I have will have the greens! I also trimmed back a lot of the leaves, hoping that the energy will go to forming the actual vegetable. I apparently did not take photos "after" I did this (you aren't missing much!).

Will update with developments as they happen.

[Sher]

The turnips look wonderful!

[shevraeth]

Those turnips look amazing!

[clumsythumbs]

Thank you Sher and shevraeth !! I am really excited to eat them eventually. Also for the greens. Turnip greens (here) are not always easy to find, are overpriced, and often already wilted in the store. I had a few leaves in my salad last night and tasted great!

[Shawn]

They do look good and I do not like turnips.

[clumsythumbs]

The turnips continue to grow, still now growth of a root veg on the Gilfeather or Beets (but they are thickening). The leaves are growing nicely and have harvested several small rounds of them to use in stir fry and salads. 


20210123_122046 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr