How to Grow Hydroponic Lettuce

Hydroponics, which literally means, 'working water,' is the growth of plants without soil. The grower provides the plants with all of the nutrients they would usually get from the soil though water instead. Hydroponics can be used on a mass productions scale, or it can easily be scaled down for use by the home gardener as well. If you are new to hydroponics, growing hydroponic lettuce is a good place to start. The plants are easy to work with and forgiving to novice gardeners.

You will need to prepare for starting your hydroponics garden two weeks in advance of actually planting the lettuce. First, gather your equipment. You will need a 5-gallon container with a lid. Dark, plastic containers work best, because the darkness helps keep algae from growing. If you can only find a clear plastic container, cover it with a dark plastic film or aluminum foil. You will also need a growing medium. Root cubes, such as Oasis root cubes, work well for hydroponic lettuce. Root cubes are pre-formed growth medium, making them easy to handle. They should have a neutral pH and be designed for propagation. Of course, you will also need your lettuce seedlings. Two weeks in advance of the planting, insert the seedlings in the growth cubes, and keep them in a dish of water.

While your seedlings are in water, you can prepare the lid of your container for planting. Take plastic planting cones, and trace their outlines on the lids. Four to six should fit, evenly spaced on a 5 gallon lids; just try to not get too close to the edge. Cut out the circles you have traced with the plastic planting cones, and insert the cones into the holes.

Now you can create your water nutrient solution. This is the most crucial step in hydroponic growing; remember you must supply via water all the nutrients plants would normally get through the soil. There are many pre-mixed hydroponics solutions on the market, and one of these should be the base for your solution. For a 5-gallon drum, take 2 teaspoons of the pre-mixed hydroponic fertilizer (8-15-36 works well), 2 teaspoons of calcium nitrate, and 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate). Dissolve each of these ingredients, one at a time, in a cup of water, and then add the water to the drum. Once you have added your nutrients, fill the drum to near the top with water.

After your seedlings have been sitting in water for two weeks, they are ready to add to the planters. First, place your lid over the drum and secure it in place with duct tape. Then, place the seedlings, inside the root cubes, into the plastic planting cones, which should already by in the holes you made in your drum lid. Hydroponic lettuce needs plenty of sunlight; about equal amounts of direct and indirect sunlight works best.

You will need to keep an eye on the plants for any insects or worms. If you do see insects, you should remove them by hand. Pesticides are used in hydroponic gardening, but they are not recommended for growth projects on such a small scale as this. Also, keep an eye on the water in the drum, make sure the plants are taking water, and make sure the water level is not getting too low.

Within 4 to 5 weeks, you should have fully grown hydroponic lettuce plants, ready to pick. To pick, simply remove the leaves. Though some kinds of hydroponic growth mediums can be recycled, root cubes should not be used more than once.