airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Mar 13, 2021 13:17:40 GMT -5
Did a search but did not see anything...
I have read a gallon of water is enough for a head of lettuce.. So will a gallon plastic milk jug with Aerogarden cage work to grow a head of Iceberg lettuce?
Do you think a small 4x4 or 6" round platform between the cage and jug would be needed to support a round head of lettuce??
Would get it started in the AG maybe, and then transfer to the jug so it can be moved outside and brought back in if it get really cold..
Any and all thoughts welcome
Thanks,
Doug
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,219 
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Post by Shawn on Mar 13, 2021 13:38:57 GMT -5
I think if anyone would know ERR0R1755 should be able to possibly assist. |
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Mar 13, 2021 15:26:37 GMT -5
I haven't tried growing head lettuce yet, but I've grown full-sized leaf lettuce in a gallon jug many times.
No need for supports, you just place the AG pod into the top of the jug and push it down a bit so it's stuck in place.
If you plan on growing it outdoors though, it is worth noting that you may run into issues if the jug/reservoir gets too hot, since it can cause the nutrient solution to evaporate quickly.
I've grown lettuce jugs outside three times - the first one got infested with mosquitos, the second one got root rot due to high temps, and the third one grew fine.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Mar 13, 2021 18:18:45 GMT -5
Thanks Error1755! Not planning to leave it outside in the direct sun once it gets warm out, just want to have it outside in the early spring during the day. I am of course trying to design a small support for the jug, I just wish I had the knowledge to create the treads so it could screw on to the jug rather than cutting the top to slide a sleeve in. I tried just putting the cage in the jug and it really does not want to stay, sticks up about 3/4 of an inch. Guess that really does not mater as the root need air space and the father up it is the more water can be in the jug.
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Mar 13, 2021 21:48:17 GMT -5
Oh, another tip - you may want to keep an eye on it when it starts to get low and either harvest early or add more fluid. It's a bit annoying if the jug empties out and then falls over due to the weight of the plant  The gap is normal and doesn't cause any issues, although you can add a ring of aluminum foil around it if you're worried about light getting in. |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Mar 13, 2021 23:17:07 GMT -5
I was planning on putting a strip of tape from the top to the bottom of the jug before I spray it with rubberized under coating to make it light proof. Then I can peal that back to check water level as it grows. what do you think of the platform, worth while for head lettuce? I expect to figure out the threads and get one that will screw on the jug .. I don't normally give in, so will eventually figure it out!  WOW I posted pictures I must never have clicked post.. |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Mar 13, 2021 23:24:05 GMT -5
So here is the test platform, is very stable in this qt jug but is hitting the handle so not sure how it will be in a gallon jug yet.. will still try and get a screw on version   |
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Mar 14, 2021 0:33:44 GMT -5
I haven't grown head lettuce before so I'm not sure what to expect, but I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes! I started the seeds for my first head lettuce and I'll be moving that to a gallon Kratky jug soon, so it would be very interesting to compare mine without the stand to yours with the stand |
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Mar 14, 2021 8:32:53 GMT -5
I'm sure that I am just over engineering it, that's just what I do.. In that respect. looking at the above photo, I just had another idea.. I cam make a 1/4 barbed port and install it at the top of the jug close to the top so I can use my drain and fill pump (runs slow) to add water to the jug without disturbing the plant! .. Oh and the pump runs on a battery that is charged with a Solar panel so it is still within the Kratky off grid mantra! The hard part is waiting for the seed to germinate... guess I will start work on a bigger seed germinator as I assume that my POC will work .. |
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