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what vegetable/herb to grow hydroponically?

Posted by solargrower AUSTRALIA (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 27, 09 at 4:09

Hi there,
I have a question for all you gardeners out there.

I am a beginner in all things hydroponics/gardening and have recently set up a solar powered hydroponic system to grow vegetables on my remote property 3 hours west of brisbane.

The only problem is, I only visit the property once every month and therefore will only be able to change nutrients, harvest plant, check pH levels, prune, stake etc etc once a month.

What I am wanting to ask is, WHAT VEGETABLE/HERB WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THAT I GROW FOR THIS SITUATION.

Obviously, needing a vegetable or herb that doesnt require constant care!

My digital timer/irrigation system can water the plants up to 8 times per day if necessary. The medium i am using is perlite.

Information of the climate, it is classed as sub tropical, although in winter the minimum can fall below zero for a few nights a year. The day time is generally in the 20's (even in winter) and summer days can get up to a temperature of 40deegrees, but generally stay around 30-35deegrees.


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: what vegetable/herb to grow hydroponically?

I think you'll have to be creative to find a crop that will work with so little care. Lemongrass and sweetpotatos are the only things I can come up that can get by with so little care.


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RE: what vegetable/herb to grow hydroponically?

Hi solargrower,
You will need to adapt crops seasonally.
I can't guess how much area are you set up for.
Your plan to change nutes & manage pH monthly will force you out of traditional edible vegetables.
In the summer try (transplants) Huauzontle or Aztec "spinach" (Chenepodium berlandieri); the young leaf is edible & immature seed pods can be stir fry/braised/battered. It will take any heat, drought tolerant & possibly quick enough to shrug off any methodology induced problems. You can breed the seed easily if it does well for you.
Another quick, beat the imbalance clock, harvest is "Rat Tail" radish; they eat the stir fried pods in SE asia.
Dandelion is a likely candidate for surviving the cold season that possibly will shrug off pH fluctuations; gives you first tender greens & then flowers can batter fry/jelly.
Borage - for the tiny flowers; may be more pH sensitive.
Turmeric (hot season) being a root crop could roll with the pH.
Fig (bush type) will survive your cold drop, but probably just as well grown in ground as gets rangy .


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