Lettuce and Basil in the system

About 5 days after being transplanted into the homemade system and 10 days since germinations. 5 Simpson Black Elite lettuce and 1 of Lemmon basil. The whole grow area smells like lemmons!!!

 

Quite pretty little seedlings !! Love that lemon scent !! I can almost smell it here in Texas !! Think I will try lemon basil this year !!

 

Nice baby plants there. Is there a post where you are explaining about your germination technique? It looks very exciting.

 

Thank you. I haven't really posted anywhere alse but the welcome thread. I'll post some pictures soon. I am spending most of my time reading all the info on this site and the forums!!!

 

I will post as they progress. They have grown another inch since posting this.

I notice I am getting around 82 degrees directly under the lights. I need to get some air moving so they don't bolt.

The basement should be ideal as it never really exceeds 67 degrees, but the floros are so close it is adding another 15 degrees.

 

I've never planted lemon basil. I grow sweet basil and Mexican basil. But I'll be that lemon basil makes a fine pesto.

I'm also curious about your "home made" process. I think I'm seeing a plastic shoe box with holes cut in the lid. Do you have pots in the shoe box or just soil (or other planting medium) for your lettuce and basil?

Very clever.

 

The ebb and flow system is completely homemade and as cheaply as I could make it. I have a couple videos that I am using as a video journal to complement the written journal of the process.

It has been a great learning experience and I can tell you they have grown another inch plus already.

Can I post my blog on here? It is my online journal of this new method.

Here are the vids:


October 17, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG8HkRmwyls


November 1st, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJn1dOB9UOs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

 

About $120 with very little follow-on costs. It should last for years and the only expendable items are bulbs, nutrients, and the occasional airstone. A good estimate is about $40 a year or less.

Pretty cheap extension of the hobby with fresh greens and enjoyment as the benefit.

I'll post more video as I add to the journal.

 

I took this photo today, November 11th. These are now 16 days old and 10 days since transplanting from starter tray.

The lettuce is almost outside the rims of the pots and the basil is trying to grow through the lights when they are in position!!



Here is a shot of the whole system. The lights are on locking pulleys and when in position are only 3-4 inches above the plants.

I have room for another identical system, or a "raft" system which would also work well for lettuce. The "raft" would only consist of the upper 28 quart container.

 

I have posted the video journal as well as updated pictures on a blog I created to keep friends and relatives up on the progress. They are as intrigued (as am I) at the speed and vigor this is producing.

Feel free to post a question. I am continually learning, but really enjoying sharing that knowledge.

I may have to look at adding hydro to some out door container next spring for a real head to head test!!!

http://frugalhydroponics.blogspot.com/

 

This video journal entry shows the roots system and explains some nutrient aspects.

I can't wait to incorporate some hydro alongside the soil grown plants this year.

The yield on the lettuce has been crazy as well as the rate of growth. Too easy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ObpoFxEPxU

 

I have built another system to expand our growing capabilities and to allow continuous lettuce production. Access to fresh greens has become very addictive!!

This type of system is the easiest to use and the easiest and cheapest to build. It is called a Deep Water Culture (DWC) and requires very little effort to achieve exceptional growth.

With my cheap shop lights, this will allow continuous lettuce production throughout the winter and also in the summer when temps outside get too high.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxT8wceO03E

 

I am impressed. It looks very intriguing.
And real benefits - Well done.