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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 21, 2024 12:22:22 GMT -5
To date, I have only done Kratky and NFT growing. I don't own an Aerogarden. Can an aerogarden support romaine lettuce or would it be too crowded?
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Post by scarfguy on Nov 21, 2024 12:44:25 GMT -5
To date, I have only done Kratky and NFT growing. I don't own an Aerogarden. Can an aerogarden support romaine lettuce or would it be too crowded?
An aerogarden bounty can easily support 2-3 romaine lettuce plants. 4 would begin to be a bit crowded.
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Post by Clovis Sangrail on Nov 21, 2024 13:25:36 GMT -5
I plant six in Harvests, figuring I'll be happy if 4 sprout. Usually, I get 5 or 6 sprouting, and I just let them grow. Here are some pics -- Yedikule --  Parris Island -- ![]()  ![]() Merlot leaf on the left and Jericho romaine on the right --  Grab one of those $60 Harvest Elites off Amazon and go to it. |
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pfunnyjoy
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Post by pfunnyjoy on Nov 22, 2024 17:50:06 GMT -5
Sure, romaine grows great in Aerogardens! How you do it is personal preference. You can plant all openings, and harvest a LOT for young, super tender baby leaves, but it's a bit more work, because the leaves are crowded, or you can space your plants out for better plant health and easier harvesting and STILL get a lot of lettuce! I'm of the second persuasion, this is 3 Parris Island Cos romaine lettuce plants in a Harvest Elite Slim unit. I've got three regular loose-leaf lettuce types in a Bounty unit downstairs, but they are tiny seedlings currently, so no photo. I like to thin to one plant per pod basket. I recommend using a fan for either approach, but especially the first! Go lightly when they are seedlings, once the plants are more mature you can run an oscillating fan continuously, or just a bit morning and evening, because lettuce likes a bit of air flow. You are simulating the wind/breeze that plants would naturally get outside. Day 44: Harvested after the photo yesterday, and could harvest more today: |
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 23, 2024 8:31:52 GMT -5
I appreciate the answers, but my thinking after reading them is why pay the money for AGs when you are limited to how many Romaines you can grow because of space limitations. I grow Monte Carlo and Rabello which require space between the heads for optimal development. Growing them Kratky style in quart mason jars is much more economical. Right now, I have a dozen Romaines growing, and my goal is to start even more so I have lettuce daily for my salads or get as close to that as I can. Although, I must admit, I find the AGs intriguing. Perhaps I need to buy one and try it. I find it amazing that some of you own so many AGs. Mybe I need to branch out and try other varieties and other plants. Who knows, maybe I'll catch the bug, too.
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Post by tompepper7 on Nov 23, 2024 13:06:37 GMT -5
I appreciate the answers, but my thinking after reading them is why pay the money for AGs when you are limited to how many Romaines you can grow because of space limitations.... This was tricky marketing on Aerogarden's part, showing an Aerogarden with numerous holes in the deck, implying you could use them all.
Of course, with a bit of thought. when planting outside the seed package would say to plant 6 inches or 2 feet apart etc. That would not really change using an Aerogarden. One nice thing about the numerous holes is the option to plant one plant, two plants, three plants spaced differently, as well as starting a couple extra to increase your chance of having as many plants as you intended. Your space is limited as well. Planting multiple plants in one jar, moving jars too close together, are things you would avoid.
....I grow Monte Carlo and Rabello which require space between the heads for optimal development. Growing them Kratky style in quart mason jars is much more economical.... What is your investment in light sources and other things? Who knows, maybe I'll catch the bug, too. Aerogarden is going out of business and will be gone at the end of the year. |
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 23, 2024 13:19:11 GMT -5
I appreciate the answers, but my thinking after reading them is why pay the money for AGs when you are limited to how many Romaines you can grow because of space limitations.... This was tricky marketing on Aerogarden's part, showing an Aerogarden with numerous holes in the deck, implying you could use them all.
Of course, with a bit of thought. when planting outside the seed package would say to plant 6 inches or 2 feet apart etc. That would not really change using an Aerogarden. One nice thing about the numerous holes is the option to plant one plant, two plants, three plants spaced differently, as well as starting a couple extra to increase your chance of having as many plants as you intended. Your space is limited as well. Planting multiple plants in one jar, moving jars too close together, are things you would avoid.
....I grow Monte Carlo and Rabello which require space between the heads for optimal development. Growing them Kratky style in quart mason jars is much more economical.... What is your investment in light sources and other things? Who knows, maybe I'll catch the bug, too. Aerogarden is going out of business and will be gone at the end of the year. I have plenty of room to grow in jars with two large Baker's racks in my den and a large greenhouse (see my Avatar). I also grow Tiny Tim tomatoes in my den during the winter. I have plenty of jars already from when we used to do canning; now, we have a freeze dryer for preserving and don't do as much canning. I already own a dozen 33" Happy Leaf LED Grow Lights, so I also don't need the Aerogarden lights. I didn't know they were going out of business. I guess I should act if I want an Aerogarden or two and try them. I do like experimenting. |
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LoveSalads
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Post by LoveSalads on Nov 23, 2024 19:54:21 GMT -5
Moonshadows The nice things about Aerogardens they are all in 1 system. It reminds you when you need water, nutrients, turns your lights off/on. It also circulates you water/nutrients at the same time providing needed oxygen with the movement of the water. A very covenant easy to use system. With all the grows lights you have and a NFT system I would think for greens you are set. If you look around this forum you can see what these systems excel at. It is varied and wide. The home page lists most of what we grow by type. I like the greenhouse in the avatar looks awesome. Kinda hard to see well with a small pic but it looks very nice. Aerogardens deplete the nutrients in 2 weeks sometimes alot faster but, every 2 weeks the system reminds you time for nutrients and maybe a water change. If you want to check a manual out and get a better idea . aerogardenaddicts.com/board/49/aerogarden-manual-guides-templates
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Post by Clovis Sangrail on Nov 23, 2024 22:41:57 GMT -5
I tried to grow some tomatoes in Kratky jars, but they didn't work out so well.
Probably because those Kratky jars didn't have a little light on them telling me when to add water to them.
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 24, 2024 7:53:06 GMT -5
LoveSalads - I hadn't thought about it that way. I work with different components that I have to remember to monitor while the Aerogarden is a fool proof unit that leaves little to chance. It seems very good that way. Thanks for the kind words on my greenhouse.
Clovis Sangrai - That speaks to convenience of the AG's reminders.
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Post by Clovis Sangrail on Nov 24, 2024 9:22:12 GMT -5
That greenhouse does look impressive, and I think many of us would like to see a bigger picture of it because (a) we enjoy living vicariously through the gardens of others, and (b) we are just plain nosy. If you want to check out an AG just to see what it does, Amazon does still have a Black Friday deal on Harvest Elite model for 60 bucks, and that's a good starting place at an excellent price. (They will only let you have 5 of them.) |
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 24, 2024 9:58:08 GMT -5
Here's the greenhouse. It is a Riga XL6 that measures 14' x 20'. This picture is from May 2024.  MSF Greenhouse by MoonShadows, on Flickr |
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LoveSalads
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Post by LoveSalads on Nov 24, 2024 10:19:15 GMT -5
Wow that is a nice greenhouse. Are those NFT runs on each side ? So much going on in there. I had an 8 x 12 that got ripped apart from a storm but it looked pitiful compared to this.
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 24, 2024 10:28:08 GMT -5
Thanks. No, everything in this picture is in soil, except for the aquatic plants in the pond.  Greenhouse Pond by MoonShadows, on Flickr |
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Post by scarfguy on Nov 24, 2024 10:38:54 GMT -5
That's really a lovely greenhouse!
Love the little boy fishing! 
I see you are in NE PA. Are you able to keep the fish alive all winter?
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 24, 2024 10:53:46 GMT -5
Thank you. The fish have no problem with cold water. They are all comet goldfish. The greenhouse pond does not freeze, but my outside pond does get ice on top. The outdoor fish enter a semi-dormant state called torpor. They float upright in the lower water with their fins tucked in. Movement is very slow, and they do not feed during this time until the water temp comes back up to about 55.
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pfunnyjoy
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Post by pfunnyjoy on Nov 27, 2024 2:50:05 GMT -5
I appreciate the answers, but my thinking after reading them is why pay the money for AGs when you are limited to how many Romaines you can grow because of space limitations. I grow Monte Carlo and Rabello which require space between the heads for optimal development. Growing them Kratky style in quart mason jars is much more economical. Right now, I have a dozen Romaines growing, and my goal is to start even more so I have lettuce daily for my salads or get as close to that as I can. Although, I must admit, I find the AGs intriguing. Perhaps I need to buy one and try it. I find it amazing that some of you own so many AGs. Mybe I need to branch out and try other varieties and other plants. Who knows, maybe I'll catch the bug, too. I haven't yet tried Kratky for lettuce, but my first try with Kratky was with a watercress seedling and it's going south. I don't even know why, it seemed to like its new home, was growing, putting out more roots, looking super healthy, then some of the leaves started wilting. I checked pH, and it wasn't that. Meanwhile, my watercress in my Aerogarden grows like crazy... Maybe I just like easy. I do plan to try again with Kratky, but so far, it doesn't seem to be as easy as it looks. Your greenhouse is gorgeous! |
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 27, 2024 10:07:23 GMT -5
I haven't yet tried Kratky for lettuce, but my first try with Kratky was with a watercress seedling and it's going south. I don't even know why, it seemed to like its new home, was growing, putting out more roots, looking super healthy, then some of the leaves started wilting. I checked pH, and it wasn't that. Meanwhile, my watercress in my Aerogarden grows like crazy... Maybe I just like easy. I do plan to try again with Kratky, but so far, it doesn't seem to be as easy as it looks. Your greenhouse is gorgeous! You may or may not know this, but I'll throw it out there anyway. The only thing I can think of is did you refill the reservoir? Kratky relies on oxygen roots that develop that allow the plant to take in oxygen; these are the roots between the net cup and the reservoir that contains the water roots. If you fill the reservoir and cover the oxygen roots, it will suffocate the plant. Even getting the oxygen roots wet can kill the plant. In the picture below, notice the fine, white roots just below the cup. These are "air roots" and they develop in the moist air space above the nutrient water. This is a special adaptation that plants make to absorb oxygen from the air while the water roots below the air roots absorb the nutrient water. 
Kratky Air Roots by MoonShadows, on Flickr |
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pfunnyjoy
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Post by pfunnyjoy on Nov 28, 2024 2:10:56 GMT -5
I did leave a space, but I'm not sure the plant had developed air roots yet. I didn't leave a large space, because the cutting was young, and I was under the impression that as it drank water, the space would enlarge and then the plant would form the air roots. So I had NOT done any refills yet.
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Post by Moonshadows on Nov 28, 2024 8:02:37 GMT -5
You are right about the air roots developing.
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