Newbie Calling ALL Lettuce Growers for Help!

[phoody]

  Something looks terribly wrong! These little babies are only two weeks old. Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce and Salad Bowl Lettuce.

I used Distilled water and 5ml AG nutrients as suggested by many in this forum.  This is a Bounty unit 2019 model. 40W LED grow lights. I washed and disinfected with bleach before use and the Aerogarden pods were boiled to kill all pathogens as suggested by some. I was looking for answers in the different threads and my head was spinning. Is "Tip Burn" the name for everything that has a burned tip, or is this a specific problem? The outer tips started looking very dark two days ago, but then the leaves started to get spotted. I'm new at this, so I can't tell if this is:

• Nutrient Burn
  
• Cal Mag deficiency
  
• Plant Disease
  
• fungus
  
• Lights too low
  
• not enough air flow
  
• too much humidity
  
• the ph too high or low - just bought a pH meter, but can't figure out how to calibrate it and use it yet
• Some other problem not mentioned
  

Is this fixable or should I start over?

If any of you have had this problem, what did you do to fix it?

I appreciate any advice!! Is this an obvious problem my newbie eyes can't decipher?

Thank You!

[Shawn]

I looked at the coding for your post but there is no link to any images in it.   Where is the picture hosted?  If on a website, right click the pic and copy image link and put in a reply.  I will try to get it posted for you.

I want to help but need to take a look at them

[phoody]

Shawn Finally posted photos

[campingcorgis]

Why only 5ml nutes?  Or should I say, where did you read that 5ml nutes is suggested for a Bounty unit?  The bottle says 8ml for a 9-pod unit.

[phoody]

campingcorgis   I read several posts that said that for lettuce only, 4ml - 5ml was a good amount. The idea is that for lettuce, less nutrients was better.

I don't want to quote anyone specifically, because that's in bad taste..... but I just re-read some posts to make sure I wasn't imagining what I read. Just to be fair, It's very possible that I misunderstood something. Maybe I missed something in the posts I read by people that used less nutrients. I'll have to do more research to verify that.

......Interestingly enough.....I also read this outside of this forum. Many very successful lettuce growers used no more than 5ml for lettuce only, so I went with 5ml. 

If there is anyone that knows and grows lettuce, please tell me what is working for you! Was 5ml wrong?

[Sher]

That is not tipburn, phoody. Tipburn usually starts on the small center leaves.

Also, if you are using RO water, you probably have mineral deficiencies. I would definitely add Calmag.

I can't tell too much from your photo. Is the brown edge on the large leaf closest to the camera soft? If so, I would suspect a fungus.

I doubt that pH issues are your problem.

I am one who uses the recommended amounts of nutrients for lettuce. I know some like to use less, but mine has always thrived using 8 ml in a Harvest or a Bounty. It is not picky.

What is wrong with your tap water that made you decide to use RO water? I would like to use half or more RO water if I could because I have extremely hard water here (259 ppm out of the tap.) In NW Georgia, I had very soft water (37-38 ppm) which was great for most things, although I did have to supplement the minerals with Calmag.

Unless your water is really bad, I would suggest trying again with tap water. Chlorine does not seem to bother my plants.

[campingcorgis]

Jul 10, 2022 12:38:03 GMT -5 phoody said:

campingcorgis   I read several posts that said that for lettuce only, 4ml - 5ml was a good amount. The idea is that for lettuce, less nutrients was better.

I don't want to quote anyone specifically, because that's in bad taste..... but I just re-read some posts to make sure I wasn't imagining what I read. Just to be fair, It's very possible that I misunderstood something. Maybe I missed something in the posts I read by people that used less nutrients. I'll have to do more research to verify that.

......Interestingly enough.....I also read this outside of this forum. Many very successful lettuce growers used no more than 5ml for lettuce only, so I went with 5ml. 

If there is anyone that knows and grows lettuce, please tell me what is working for you! Was 5ml wrong?

Things that work for one person, might not work for the next.  There are many variables.  Water, machine, temperatures and so on.  For me, I use the recommended amount of nutes by machine.  I don't grow lettuce in a Bounty.  And, I don't always use AG nutes for lettuce in particular.  I like to use Ionic Grow for greens, I've not heard of quoting folks here on AGA being in bad taste, so I'll continue to do so...you can read some info here in this link and the Greens thread in general (where this thread may get moved to by Mods).  It can be a big time saver to direct folks to previous threads. 

All that said, I agree with Sher's comments above.

Good luck!!!  

[phoody]

Thank you Sher campingcorgis for your responses.  dTYNMm

I used distilled water because our water is too hard with too many calcium deposits, so for the protection of the Bounty Unit and it's motor, I read you should use distilled water.

I will get Cal Mag and Ionic grow and try again.

I will also try using the recommended nutrient amount next time, because you're right.....what works for one, may not work for all.

I'm glad that people on this forum don't get bent out of shape for quoting them. I belong to another forum where it's equal to throwing people under the bus. Much too uptight.

Thank you again for your input on my problem.  I think I will start again just in case it's a fungus. The leaves did feel soft.

Hmmmm! Could the fungus have been on the seeds? I used chlorine bleach to disinfect the unit and boiled the Aerogarden pods before planting to make extra sure everything was sterile.

[campingcorgis]

Jul 10, 2022 15:29:46 GMT -5 phoody said:

Thank you Sher campingcorgis for your responses. 

I used distilled water because our water is too hard with too many calcium deposits, so for the protection of the Bounty Unit and it's motor, I read you should use distilled water.

I will get Cal Mag and Ionic grow and try again.

I will also try using the recommended nutrient amount next time, because you're right.....what works for one, may not work for all.

I'm glad that people on this forum don't get bent out of shape for quoting them. I belong to another forum where it's equal to throwing people under the bus. Much too uptight.

Thank you again for your input on my problem.  I think I will start again just in case it's a fungus. The leaves did feel soft.

Hmmmm! Could the fungus have been on the seeds? I used chlorine bleach to disinfect the unit and boiled the Aerogarden pods before planting to make extra sure everything was sterile.

Soft leaves...have you considered using a fan near the lettuce?  I use one, especially for lettuce.  To kind of mimic the breeze one would have outside...and that seems to make them a bit crispier?  

I don't use bleach, myself.  I tried using vinegar to clean the AG's, but found it easier for me to soak them in water with Citric Acid and Baking Soda.  Something that is edible seemed more appealing to me.  There's a good thread with links to a link to a YouTube video in the "How To's" section titled Khang Starr's AG Cleaning Tips -- it is easy, but can take up a bit of space.  I use a restaurant bus tote, so as not to tie up a sink, and leave it soak overnight.  

I seriously doubt a fungus on seeds problem, but...

[phoody]

I'm so sad about the lettuce.  It's amazing how attached one gets to these little plants. My daughter was completely devastated as I started to pull the little plants out to clean the Bounty.

On a happier note.....  My Petunias have started to bloom. So not all is lost.

[campingcorgis]

They are pretty flowers!  And the great thing about AG's is that it is easy to start over...and lettuce grows quickly!  

[scarfguy]

The death of your lettuce is not a loss but an OPPORTUNITY!

[lynnee]

phoody, about getting attached to your plants, you and I are on the same page!

Your lettuce doesn't look that bad to me, so I would have recommended removal of any dried-up leaves, an R&R, and addition of the AG-recommended amount of nutrients. You seem to have already terminated your lettuce, sadly.

My lettuce does well with tap water and AG nutes--nothing more. However, you know what is wrong with your tap water, so I'd recommend refilling the Bounty with whatever water you're using for those gorgeous petunias!

You could have a fungus, but I'm wondering whether your lettuce might be in a draft from a fan or an A/C vent? A vent draft killed my healthy "Marvel of Four Seasons", which was a great disappointment because this lettuce is one that I have trouble growing. Water temperature and room temperature are other factors to consider.

Everyone seems to have trouble growing something that everyone else can grow easily. I continue to struggle with Curly Parsley, and sometimes with Chives, but have to beat back Dill and Mint!

However, in my experience, AG Salad Greens and Black Seeded Simpson are among the easiest varieties to grow. Yours got off to a good start, too. That's why nutrients and location of the Bounty are the most obvious suspects.

As for pH testing, the easiest way to do this is to use the General Hydroponics pH Testing Kit that's available on Amazon. I purchased a pH meter and couldn't figure out how to calibrate it, either.

The General Hydroponics kit doesn't require calibration. I think that pH testing is important for persnickety crops like strawberries, but I've never needed to use it for lettuce or tomatoes.

[Sher]

Your petunias are beautiful, phoody!

I agree with lynnee. Use whatever water you are using with your petunias for your lettuce!

[Shawn]

phoody, As others mentioned, there are so many variables when growing.  I know for me personally, I can use my tap water.  No need for me to adjust my pH here.  Also lettuce does like cold water.  For me less is better for nutes but that may also have to do with my water as well.  Again variables.

I think we all get attached to our plants and when we need to start over it is sad but think of what you will grow next.  I do not like to think of these as failures but a new opportunity. 

The one great thing about AG's is that we can grow all year long!

As for quoting, no issues here.  We are an easy going forum.  We like to share, assist, help and chat. 


BTW, your petunias are beautiful. 

[phoody]

Thank you everyone for the great advice.

lynnee you mentioned...

You could have a fungus, but I'm wondering whether your lettuce might be in a draft from a fan or an A/C vent? A vent draft killed my healthy "Marvel of Four Seasons", which was a great disappointment because this lettuce is one that I have trouble growing. Water temperature and room temperature are other factors to consider.

I think you may be on to something...  I hadn't thought about the A/C! It has been extremely hot here for the past two weeks and we have been running our A/C every single day. The vent is on the side of the kitchen where the lettuce sits and has been blasted with very cold air all day long and sometimes nights.  The Petunias are on the other side of the kitchen. I'll see if I can adjust the vent. 

[scarfguy]

My thoughts also was fungus.  Fungus loves cold and damp. So your a/c may indeed be the issue.