Lettuce in NFT
Hey fellow hydro growers -
I am back with some questions for my NFT lettuce growing. I have been having some calcium uptake issues which created tip burn on the center of my lettuce head. I fought this for some time until I realized that I was probably leaving too many areas exposed for light to get in to the res and the nft channels. I was getting an algae infestation.
To slove this, I promptly plugged all the holes, ran a res of water and H2O2 (300 ml 35% in a 110 gal tank) for 24 hours. I promptly returned to my formula of Botanicare organic nutes-
110 gal res
400 ml pure blend grow
200 ml calplex
250 ml huvega
200 ml humex
This gave me about a 300 ppm and pH of 6 after adding some pH up.
To ensure I was killing off everything, I added 1000 mL of hygrozyme (most expensive stuff I've ever bought).
I also do everything I can to keep the res water temp below 70 with an average between 68 - 69.
Here is my issue -
My pH will NOT stay below 7 (read 7.5 this morning) after adding the hygrozyme. This is even after attempts to lower it with pH down. I have seen very little by way of information about this on the web. I will call the manufacturer later but thought I'd see if anyone here has had similar issues. I can honestly say that my plants do not look bad but I know they cannot perform at these pH levels. Also, my ppm has climbed in 1 day from 300 to 400 but I think this is due to water loss/uptake.
My roots also look wierd but can be cleaned with a simple run under the sink faucet. I am attaching a couple of pics to show that. I am also attaching a photo showing the calcium defficiency.
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/scottsearls/Lettuce%20issues/CIMG3730.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/scottsearls/Lettuce%20issues/CIMG3731.jpg
http://i1009.photobucket.com/albums/af219/scottsearls/Lettuce%20issues/CIMG3726.jpg
Any thoughts on how to control or steps to take to make sure this doesn't fall apart overnight would be appreciated. Thanks.
urbangardenfarmer
hydro_scottyOriginal Author
Related Professionals
Roosevelt Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Washington Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Brentwood Landscape Contractors · Peabody Landscape Contractors · Bedford Heights Landscape Contractors · Chesapeake Ranch Estates Landscape Contractors · Cincinnati Landscape Contractors · Fort Mill Landscape Contractors · Lehigh Acres Landscape Contractors · Longview Landscape Contractors · Louisville Landscape Contractors · Medford Landscape Contractors · Tacoma Landscape Contractors · Wallingford Landscape Contractors · Antioch Landscape Contractorseircsmith