Plant Varieties
There are many different types plant varieties that you can grow through hydroponics. Here, we will take a look at a few common varieties of plants and describe some specific details of each to help you begin growing your own!
a few definitions to know:
Complete Fertilizer: The ratio of Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium in the nutrient solution
Electrical Conductivity (EC): The measurement of the amount of dissolved ions in the nutrient solution; measured in milliSiemens (mS)
pH: The acidity of the solution, the ratio of positively charged hydrogen ions to the negatively charged hydroxide ions in the nutrient solution
Transplant Date: The date when you may transfer your seedling and growing medium into the hydroponic system
Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool weather crop that grows well in many climates. Being that it is a leafy green and is only harvested once, lettuce is one of the easiest and most forgiving hydroponic crops to grow.
Complete Fertilizer: 8-15-36
EC: 1.2-1.8mS
pH: 5.5-6.5
Temperature: 70-75 F
Transplant Date: ~2.5 weeks after seeding
Total Growth Time: ~6 weeks to harvest
Basil
Basil is an herb that grows well in most hydroponic systems and can be harvested multiple times by cutting the leaves right off the plant.
Basil is also a natural pest repellent because of the odors it gives off.
Complete Fertilizer: 11-40-40
EC: 1.0-1.6mS
pH: 5.8-6.2
Temperature: 65-70 F
Transplant Date: ~10 days after seeding
Total Growth Time: ~4 weeks to harvest
Kale
Kale grows much like other leafy greens, but can grow faster and bigger than lettuce can depedning on climate. It’s a good idea to harvest Kale a little bit earlier than the other crops in your garden.
Complete Fertilizer: 4-18-38
EC: 1.2-2.2mS
pH: 5.5-6.5
Temperature: 65-70 F
Transplant Date: ~2 weeks after seeding
Total Growth Time: ~5 weeks to harvest
Tomato
Tomatoes grow well in substrate based hydroponic systems so that the roots can properly grow and support the plant. You may consistently harvest the fruit off of the plant and then allow the tomato to continue to grow.
Complete Fertilizer: 4-18-38
EC: 2.5-3.0mS
pH: 5.5-6.5
Temperature: 65-77 F
Transplant Date: ~4 weeks after seeding
Total Growth Time: ~10 weeks to harvest
Cucumber
Cucumbers grow well in warm, humid environments and can grow into a variety of sizes. When transplanting, do not transplant too deeply into your growing medium so that the roots may take their time to properly grow and support the plant.
Complete Fertilizer: 8-16-36
EC: 2.5-2.8mS
pH: 5.0-6.0
Temperature: 75-85 F
Transplant Date: ~2 weeks after seeding
Total Growth Time: ~10 weeks to harvest
Pepper
Peppers can grow well alongside tomatoes and can actually grow better when planted together through a phenomenon called companion planting. Peppers begin growing slowly, but once they start to fruit, they will produce much more very quickly.
Complete Fertilizer: 11-40-40
EC: 2.0-3.0mS
pH: 5.5-6.5
Temperature: 70-80 F
Transplant Date: ~2.5 weeks after seeding
Total Growth Time: ~10 weeks to harvest