Regarding hydro as a concept, I don't think variety matters.

If you look in a commercial seed catalog, you will see several new hybrid varieties each year. There might be fifty different varieties of romaine that you could try. All of them have different traits to match different climates. Commercial hydroponic lettuce operations are typically in greenhouses or outdoors and the varieties they grow would be chosen just like outdoor soil varieties, with emphasis on pest/disease resistance, and yield relative to that climate.

Getting the best variety of any plant for your garden is one of most challenging parts of gardening, soil or hydro. It takes time and money. And every year, new varieties come out. The weather can change from year to year, too. That's what keeps the seed companies in business.

This post was edited by Cole_Robbie on Sun, Jan 13, 13 at 11:35

I just find it interesting that most of the studies and research made was using Butterhead lettuce variety.

Wondering if there was something about butterhead that makes it the choice

Simpson Elite and Mesclun Blends have been exceptional in both taste and efficiency.

With basic growth nutes, these can be harvested frequently and well beyond the stated or traditional harvest dates. I have gotten almost a month beyond expected harvest before becoming bitter with some batches.

Good economics and good taste.

Here is a link that might be useful: My Indoor Gardening Adventure