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Countertop Hydroponics

Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
in Fruit & veg
Last Christmas I was gifted a countertop hydroponics system.  Now that the frosts have come, I am thinking more to indoor gardening again.  I am considering what to grow, as last winter was of limited success.  The lighted roof part only goes up to about 8 inches, so things have to be short/cut back to low height.  Water is changed weekly once plants are growing well, fertilizer is specifically for hydroponics.  

Last year:
Blackseeded Sampson lettuce (grew well, but tasteless- was able to get a second cutting)
Basil (poor germination, purple variety did best but was quick to bolt)
Cilantro (bolted quickly, did not even get to crop some plants prior to bolting)
Nero Kale (did okay, but was slightly bitter and I am the only one who eats it)

Any suggestions of what edibles to grow this year?  Something that can be cropped multiple times is nice, but not necessary, as I can successional plant.  
Utah, USA.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Mixed lettuce leaves?
    I'd imagine Watercress would do well, and keep coming.
    I tried mizuna once, which grew ok in winter, but I didn't like the taste.
    Rocket?

    I don't know, but could the bolting be because your light was on too long or off too long?

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    Cress is quite interesting if you let it grow taller than is traditional...
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    @Pete.8 I didn't think about the light causing the bolting.  It's on an auto timer for something like 16 hours or such.  No way to shorten it unless I manually turn it on and off.. something I am unlikely to remember during the work week.  
    Utah, USA.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I would think 16 hours would be good - it would indicate to the plants that it's spring, so they should grow well.
    Bolting must be down to something else stressing the plants.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    My understanding is that for years and years coriander has predominantly been grown to harvest its seeds so a plant that produces flowers and seeds that ripen quickly has been selected for.  
    Now there is more demand for the leaves and nee strains are being developed that produce more foliage and are less inclined to ‘bolt’ so quickly. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Hydroponics do seem to produce less tasty edibles on the whole. Don't know about the US but I believe hydroponics took off here in the the UK in the early/mid 80's. Not sure of the reasoning behind the trend - perhaps simply easier to obtain the chemical fertilizers and people gradually coming to accept bland fruit/veg. 
    You could perhaps try some of the more pungent salad leaves - Wild Rocket, Spicy salad /mustard leaves, Land cress, Water cress and similar? .  All taste dependant of course  
  • myclayjunglemyclayjungle Posts: 162
    Radishes
    Dwarf beans
    Mixed leaves/spinach
    Spring onions/scallions
    Coastal Suffolk/Essex Border- Clay soil
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Thanks everyone for the ideas and suggestions!
    Utah, USA.
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