Category: Plants

How Long For Clones To Root
How long does it take for clones to root is the question we’re answering today. Cloned plants successfully taking root is every grower’s wish and anticipating your clones taking root can be quite tense.

Plant cloning is the fastest method of propagating plants effectively. Cloning permits growers to reproduce desirable features of various plants even on a large or extensive growing scale rapidly. However, getting to know how long your clones to root is important for a successful growing outcome.

If your clone refuses to root at the appropriate time, it is crucial to correct them on time and do the necessary things for a smooth cloning process. So, if you would like to know how long clones will take to root, read on to know the answer.

Know-How To Take Clones To Root

It can take anywhere from 8 to 12 days for your clone to begin rooting. However, there are some plant varieties that may take time to root while some may not take that long.

When you notice your clones have taken root and have adapted to temperature and humidity, they are now ready to enter the next phase which is a vegetative phase. You can now transplant your clones into any medium you wish and give them a low concentration of vegetative fertilizer.

How To Check If Clones Have Rooted

The following ways are how you can check if your cloned plants have taken root:
- Tugging: this is the most easiest and straightforward method of getting to know if your clones have taken root. Tugging involves carefully pulling the plants with little force in an upward movement. Always make sure this is done gently especially in the early period because we don’t want the root to be injured.
- New growth: another way to check if your clones are taking root is to notice new growth. Therefore, you have to wait for your plants to root and develop fresh growth. This method is much safer than the tugging method which is tricky and risky. Note however that rooting can take anywhere from 7 to 14 days depending on the plant variety. Thus, it can take this duration to notice fresh or new growth.
Why Roots May Not Be Rooting: How To Maximize Rooting Of Clones

The goal for all growers is for their clones to rot successfully. However, a clone may not root if some things are not properly done in the process of cloning.

Let’s take a look at what can affect clones not to take root and what you can do to maximize or make your cloned plants root faster:
- Length Of Plant Cuts Chosen: If you don’t take plant cuttings of good length, your clones may end up getting blocked and unable to take root. Ensure you chose plant cuttings that are long for burying.
- Cuttings Preparations: Another factor that may prevent your clones from rooting properly is preparations. Ensure you take out some leaves at the bottom of the stem and insert them in a good rooting hormone.
- Maintenance: Maintenance such as watering or misting, temperatures, environment placed, etc can have an effect on how well your clone takes root. An important factor in the cloning process is moisture. Make sure you mist your clones adequately as inappropriate watering can reduce the chances of your clone taking root. Another factor is temperature; ensure you don’t pace them in extreme temperatures as too much heat or cold environment can damage their roots. The environment also needs to be kept humid always to enhance rooting. Also, when making use of a heating pad or mat, ensure you monitor the range or put a damp towel in between so the heat can be evenly distributed.
- Grow Medium: The growing medium is another essential factor that will contribute to your clone taking root. Make use of grow medium that can retain moisture as such enhance the development of roots. Rockwool is one that loved to grow medium among growers. This is because of its moisture-holding capacity. Thus the stress of frequently watering your clones will be minimal and there’s no worry of your plants dying off from drought.
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FAQ’s

How long does it take to root clones in water?

It depends on a lot of factors. the size of the clone (smaller will take less time) the thickness of the root A good rule of thumb is to leave them in the water for at least 1-2 weeks, but as much as a month is not uncommon.

How long does it take in soil?

It takes about 7 to 10 days for clones to establish roots in soil.

The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors. For instance, the soil medium used, the seedling’s age, and the environment in which it grows will all affect when the plant will root and how long.

Do not plant them too deep. You don’t want them to be too deep because then the roots won’t get enough air and they won’t grow well. I suggest planting them about 1/2 inch below the surface.

How do I know when clones are ready for transplanting?

If you are not sure, wait until the next day and then give them a good shake. The roots should be slightly moist and if you are lucky they will have a few leaves that are not too dry.

Can I use root tabs or other rooting products to root my clones?

Yes you can! We recommend using a root tab. Root tabs are very effective and are designed to be used on fresh clones.

Are the roots healthy after being rooted in water?

Yes!

How many roots should a clone have before planting?

I think there are many opinions on this. I am not a botanist or horticulturist but my experience is that it depends on the cultivar. Most of the rootstocks I have used have had from 2 to 5 roots when planted. If you do decide to plant your tree, I would say get at least 3-5 roots.

How much water do clones need?

There is no exact answer to this question, but there are some factors that play into it. The amount of water given to a clone at once will depend on how often it is fed, what its feeding schedule is, the type of food it is fed, and how much water it takes in naturally. The amount of water a clone requires varies greatly depending on its age. A 2 week old clone should be given between 50 and 150 ml of water per day. After 3 weeks of age, the amount of water needed increases to 100-250 ml per day. After 4 weeks of age, the amount of water needed increases to 200-350 ml per day. At 5 weeks of age, the amount of water needed is 300-500 ml per day. This amount of water should be given at least three times daily. The amount of water a clone needs is also affected by how well it is fed. A clone that is given a large quantity of food will require more water than one that is given a smaller quantity of food. If a clone is fed 1-2% of its body weight in food every day, then it will need more water than one that is fed 1% of its body weight.

How Long Do Clones Take To Root Final Say

How long your clone can take to root is about 8 to 142days or more depending on the type of plant chosen.

Also, there are some things that can enhance your clone to take root and there are some things that can delay or prevent them from taking root. Thus, make sure you take all the necessary precautions to ensure a successful cloning process.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
May 28, 2021
How To Fix Nutrient Burn
A couple of growers may face nutrient burn sometimes during the course of their growing period. The thing is do you know how to fix nutrient burn?

Drying out leaves, curling of leaves, browning of leaves, etc are common issues seen among indoor growers and the most probable cause are nutrient burns. It is crucial you recognize the signs and act fast to save your plant from severe or irreversible damage.

If you’re experiencing nutrient burn on your farm and you’re looking for how to fix or solution we will put you through this.

Nutrient Burn During Flowering Info

Nutrient burn is the over-fertilization or overfeeding of nutrients to your plants. When you supply your plants with their required nutrient in excess, they tend to absorb all of them thus resulting in nutrient burn. Plants are not equipped to handle over-fertilization therefore, they will simply absorb the entire nutrient you supply them.

Causes Of Nutrient Burn

Mostly, nutrient burn is caused when you feed your plant with too much nitrogen. Nitrogen is one of the components in plants’ nutrients and it’s mostly used during plants’ vegetative phase. Nitrogen needs to be in the right proportion with other nutrients to avoid the presence of excess nitrogen.

However, it’s not only excess nitrogen that can cause nutrient burns. Overfeeding of other nutrients can as well cause this.

Nutrient Burn Leaves Signs

The first step to fixing nutrient burn is identification. Be sure your plant is suffering from a nutrient burn by looking at the signs. Some early signs can point out if your plant is suffering from nutrient burns. They are:
- Leaves will give a very deep green coloration.
- You may notice the tip of your leaves bending at 90 degrees.
- Yellowish or brownish coloration of the tips of the leaves.
- The branch or stalk may start to turn purple or red.
Advanced signs to look out for when it comes to nutrient burns:
- The signs of the tip of leaves turning yellow will spread back and inwards throughout the leave until it dies off or withers away.
- You may also notice leave twisting.
- The edge of the leaves starts to curl. This curling of leaves usually indicates the presence of too much nitrogen.
- Yellowish patches that separate themselves from the green-colored leaves.
Learn How To Fix Nutrient Burn

Once you’ve identified that your plant is suffering from nutrient burns, it’s time to take action. The good thing is if you can detect nutrient burn early, it can be resolved before it gets any worse.

Follow these guidelines to successfully fix your plant:
1. Remove Damaged Parts: The first step and fastest way to fixing nutrient burn is to do away with the damaged plant leaves, buds, flowers, etc. When your plant leaves have become yellow there’s nothing you can do to make them green. The only solution is to carefully remove the yellowed leaves or the entire affected part and allow them to regrow.
2. System Flushing: Next step is to flush the entire system so the excess built-up nutrient can be washed away. With a hydroponics system, wash your growing medium with clean and balanced pH water. To your hydroponic nutrient reservoir, pour out all the content and replace it with pH-balanced water. Use this balanced pH for about 24 hours in your hydroponic system. Then gradually introduce a small concentrated nutrient for about a week and balance it later when the plant is able to welcome the appropriate nutrient amount. In a soil-based system, simply water in the soil using pH-balanced water to flush out excess nutrients. Water your soil slowly and wait a bit to allow the water to assimilate between each watering plan.
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A nutrient burn may be minimal, gradual progress, or severe. In the case of very severe burns especially during the vegetative stage, it’s usually best to start over-planting. This is because recuperation may be unachievable or may take a longer time to recover and it will be better to just start over.

FAQ’s

Can plants recover from nutrient burn?

The short answer is no. Plants can’t recover from nutrient burn, because nutrients are not lost, they are just changed in their form. The longer answer is that it depends on the plant species and the amount of nutrients in the soil. There is some evidence that plants can recover from nutrient burn, but this is not always the case. In general, plants will not grow in nutrient-deficient soils, but if the soil is rich enough, the plants will grow fine.

What are the signs of nutrient burn?

Plants are more sensitive to nutrient deficiencies than we are. Plants respond to low nutrient levels by making a number of adjustments. These may include:

• Decreased growth rate

• Diminished photosynthetic capacity

• Decreased yield

• Less or no flowering

• Poor quality fruit

• Loss of vigor and death

How do you reverse plant nutrient burn?

Plant nutrients are essential for your plants to grow. However, when the nutrient level is too low, the plant will have a hard time growing. Too much of a good thing is not healthy either. You may see this as a condition that can be corrected by increasing the plant nutrient levels.

If you notice that your plants appear to be suffering from nutrient burn, the following actions should be taken:

• Evaluate the soil for nutrients and pH.

• Monitor the amount of fertilizer used. • Evaluate the irrigation schedule.

• Correct the deficiencies.

If you want to get your garden growing again, I recommend adding more organic matter (such as compost or manure) to the soil.

Does nutrient burn affect new growth?

Nutrient burn isn’t really good for anything. The only reason it is often mentioned is because the term nutrient burn is so often used by gardeners who are not very knowledgeable on the subject, and they don’t know any better. Nutrients are needed in the plant in order to grow, and when they are missing or are present at too high a concentration, they can cause serious damage to the plant. Plants that have been deprived of nutrients for a long period of time will often experience stunted growth and lower yields.

How do you fix fertilizer burn on plants?

There are a lot of ways to fix fertilizer burn. It depends on what the cause of the burn was and the severity of the burn. If it is a very deep burn, there are some treatments that will actually get rid of the burn. If it is just a slight discoloration, you can cover the plant with a plastic bag and keep it in place for a day or two. The light will help it heal.

If you use a bag, make sure it is the clear type so you can see what’s going on. If you want to get rid of the burn, you can do one of two things. You can either put the fertilizer on top of the soil (which will keep it in place until you want to remove it), or you can mix specialized burn fertilizer with water and apply it directly to the burned area. It will penetrate the burned area and help it heal. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on this, you can always add some liquid kelp to your fertilizer solution. That will help heal the burn. Liquid kelp is available at most garden centers.

Nutrient Burn Recovery Prevention

The best thing to save your plant is to prevent nutrient burns from happening in the first place. Do all you can to reduce the chances of nutrient burn from occurring. The excess nutrient can be catastrophic to your plants if not detected on time.

Ensure you use the appropriate amount of nutrients in their correct proportion for each growth stage. You should also monitor the pH of your solution or soil with a good pH reader.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
May 28, 2021
Ceramic Metal Halide vs LED
Let’s discuss Ceramic Metal Halide vs LED. Is anyone better than the other? We will find out. In the world of hydroponics, grow light continues to advance. Various types of grow light such as ceramic metal halide and light-emitting diode (LED) are made available for the use of your hydroponic plants.

With the developments of grow lights in hydroponics, we are going to be comparing ceramic metal halide to LED. So let’s get into it.

About Ceramic Metal Halide

Ceramic metal halide is a type of grow light that that is a very close match to mimicking the work sunlight does on plants. It is one of the most efficient grow lights capable of producing high-standard light that can cover a large location or area of the hydroponic farm.

Ceramic metal halide supplies the biggest gram per watt. They are also capable of converting ultraviolet light to good ultraviolet wavelength which helps enhance plants’ growth. This type of UV spectrum is useful in repelling pathogens such as mildew and mold as well as some pests.

About LED Light

Light-emitting diode (LED) is another great type of grow light used in indoor hydroponics. They consist of hundreds of lights known as diodes. LED will supply their light in a specific and narrow wavelength.

The light-emitting diode will supply light that will usher them into their vegetative phase of the blue spectrum and flowering phase of the red spectrum.

CMH vs LED

We have taken a brief look into both ceramic metal halide and LED. Now let’s compare which is better between ceramic metal halide vs. LED.
- Healthy Plants: You get more healthy plants when you grow under ceramic metal halide rather than LED light. You also get better quality and higher yield when making use of ceramic metal halide grow light.
- Duration Of Cultivation: The duration length you wish to cultivate will determine which type to go for. If you wish to use your grow light for up to 5 years or more, it’s best you go for LED. This is so you can save cost over the long period of time you make use of this grow light. Also, a light-emitting diode bulb will last you up to 50,000 hours, unlike a ceramic metal halide which will only last about 30,000 hours.
- Grow Space: If your grow space is of the bigger and taller side, then it is ideal you go for ceramic metal halide. This is because your ceiling distance from plants will be increased thus encouraging better heat management. It will also encourage optimal light coverage for bigger and fuller plants as well as better aeration. On the other hand, LED grow little emits light heat and this heat supply must fit the appropriate grow room size of your plants. Take for instance during winter periods, ceramic metal halide will supply your plants adequate heat. Whereas when using LED grow light, you may need to obtain an extra heater to your grow room to help with cold periods.
- Beneficial Ultraviolet Spectrum: Ceramic metal halide will offer your plant a beneficial ultraviolet spectrum. This beneficial UV spectrum will help in stimulating considerable resin and terpene production. UV spectrum will also help wade off mildew and mold as well as any other pest.
- Vertical Growing Space: Ceramic metal halide is known to be very efficient in vertical growing plants. This is because of their high canopy penetration.
- Additional Cost: The major additional cost for metal halide is bulb replacements. The bulb needs to be replaced every 12 to 18 months of use. LED however doesn’t require replacing the bulb but LED may also require additional cost. For instance, if your grow space requires extra heat, you may have to invest in a heater to suit your growing needs. Ceramic on the other hand will generate adequate heat for your plants’ growing needs.
- Commercial Purposes: Ceramic metal halides are a great choice for commercial purposes. They are also great for hydroponic hobbyists with large space thereby providing a bigger yield. LED on the other hand is ideal for hydroponic growers with moderate grow space especially for growing space with lower ceilings. LED will also offer you bigger quality production.
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Ceramic Metal Halide vs. LED Final Say

In final thoughts, choosing the best option when it comes to ceramic metal halide vs LED will solely depend on your preference. Both LED and ceramic metal halide is great to grow lights that will offer you great results. Our comparison above should guide you in choosing which suits your growing needs.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
May 28, 2021
How Far Should Seedlings Be From Grow Light
Light is one of the most crucial requirements for growing plants indoors. Positioning your grow light in the perfect area is important to ensure your plants get the appropriate grow light quantity. Now, when it comes to seedlings, we would like to know how far seedlings should be from grow light.

Seedlings are fragile and require proper care as they develop. We will be discussing how far should your seedlings be from grow light so they can grow appropriately.

Get To Know How Far Grow Light Should Be From Seedlings

Although a couple of seed varieties require darkness to grow, some plant seedlings do require light for seedlings’ development. The seedling phase is a very fragile phase and they usually require less light intensity. Thus, the distance from your grow light to seedlings should be far enough to reduce light intensity.

Some may think that supplying optimal light to your plants will increase plant growth and yields. This is true, but have in mind that this applies to only matured plants. Your seedlings will be too delicate during this stage, so they will require tender care. When your plants are established, you can go ahead and feed them with optimal light intensity.

Let’s take a look at various types of grow light and how far you should place them from your plants.

LED Grow Seedling Light & Wattage

Generally, you should position your LED to grow light around 24 to 36 inches above the canopy seedlings.

Also, how far you should position your grow lights towards your seedlings will solely depend on the power or wattage of the light bulb. A bulb that is bright and far away from the plant could supply a similar light intensity with a dimmer or low light bulb closer to the plant.

Grow light with lower wattage of around 200 should be positioned between 12 to 20 inches above the plants’ canopy. On the other hand, grow light with higher wattage should be placed 34 to 46 inches from the plants’ canopy.

LED lights release mostly red and blue wavelength, thus there are appropriate for plants early stage such as seedlings. They are also great for the flowering phase and fruiting phase as these stages require more intensive light for optimal yield.

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Fluorescent Grow Light

Fluorescent growth light comes in 3 types namely T5, T12, and compact fluorescent lamps. The added advantage of using fluorescent grow light is that it rarely causes light burn. This is because it does not produce too much heat. Notwithstanding, ensure you keep a close eye on the light heat and intensity.

Fluorescent growth light should be positioned between 6 to 12 inches for seedlings. For the vegetative and flowering phase, position your grow light between 12 to 16 inches for maximum production.

Other Plant Stages Grow Light Distance

Let’s take a look at other plant stages to grow light distance requirements:
- Vegetative Phase: the LED grow light distance for the vegetative phase of a plant is between 12 to 24 inches above the plants’ canopy. The light position is closer to the plant because optimal light is required during photosynthesis for rapid plant growth. The light intensity will also help in the development of stronger and healthier stems and roots.
- Flowering Phase: when the vegetative stage is complete and the plant advances into the flowering phase, the light intensity requirements diminish. The distance from the top of the plant to the grow light should be between 18 to 24 inches. In the flowering phase, plants start to grow in height and develop fruits. As your plants grow taller, you can decide to change or not change the distance of the grow light. Usually, if you don’t want your plant to grow too tall, you should leave the grow light distance the same.
Disadvantages Of Too Much Light

As we have pointed out earlier that light is one of the key factors to seedling development, we would also point out what too much light can cause your plants.

If your seedlings receive too much light, it can cause stress to your plant. To know if your plant is taking in too much light, look for any sign of light burns, leave discoloration. Abnormal or stunted growth is another sign to look for.

Once you see these signs, it’s a call for action. Adjust the distance of your grows light accordingly to fix the problem quickly.

FAQ’s

How close should I keep my seedlings to their grow lights?

If you are in a spot with good sunlight, then you may be able to get away with having them closer. I would say that if they are on a tray, then you should be able to get away with putting them as close as the tray allows. As far as lighting goes, you will probably need a full spectrum LED grow light. I am not sure what kind you have, but I know that the HID bulbs are really only effective when there is no direct sunlight, otherwise it will not light up.

I’d say at least 18″ apart for optimal growth. If you’re doing it right, you shouldn’t need much more than a 2-3 foot gap, depending on the height of the lights. If they’re too close together, you’ll be wasting energy and possibly burning your plants.

Does the type of light matter in terms of the distance?

Yes. You’ll need to figure out what the light spectrum is that you are growing for. If you’re trying to grow plants that are grown for eating then you will need to know how much of the spectrum they are best at consuming.

Then you will need to calculate the amount of light that is needed to provide that amount of light to your plant. For example, if you are growing tomatoes, you would use a combination of red, blue and yellow lights to simulate sunlight. The more red light, the more heat, and the more yellow light, the more light but also more energy. You can get away with less red light if you have enough blue and yellow light. For example, if you had two 5500K fluorescent tubes, one blue and one yellow, it would be able to produce about 1.2 times as much light as a single fluorescent tube of similar wattage. If you had two of the same tubes but they were only 5500K then you could get around twice the amount of light. It’s best to figure out what the light spectrum for your plant is going to be before setting up the grow room. You don’t want to grow plants in the wrong light spectrum.

Can they be too far apart?

My understanding is that it’s not a problem to put the grow lights too far away from the seedlings. However, you may want to get closer so that the light is more diffused and even. It’s easier to keep a grow light in a plant than a human. You could also try to use LED grow lights. These are much more energy efficient, and will last a lot longer.

Conclusion: How Much Light Should Seedlings Get?

How your grow light should be far from seedlings will depend on the type of grow light you’re using and the wattage or light intensity. With the information we have given above, we hope you have learned the right distance to place your grow light from your seedlings.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
May 28, 2021
How To Harvest Leaf Lettuce

Are you ready to enjoy all-year-round fresh green salad lettuce? Let’s dive in. Lettuce leaves should be harvested the appropriate way so it keeps growing nonstop. If you’re wondering how to harvest lettuce leaf the right way, we will teach you how to go about it.

Nothing is more pleasing when a gardener is able to grow and harvest fresh lettuce and get that non-stop or continuous harvest. Read on to discover how to harvest a cut and come again lettuce leaf.

Planting Lettuce Leaf Right

Some gardeners, especially newbies may think when you harvest lettuce leaf once you can’t come back for it again. But that’s mostly not true. If you cut your lettuce leaf the right way, you can always come again for another cut.

The best lettuce variety that will allow you to cut and keep growing is the mesclun variety. This mesclun variety is loose-leaf lettuce rather than head lettuce and it offers great textures, flavor, and colors.

This type of lettuce variety can be spaced a bit closer to each other. Every week or every other week, ensure you plant new crops so you can enjoy nonstop harvest leaf lettuce. If you wish to choose other lettuce varieties, they are also fine.

Learn How to Harvest Green Leaf Lettuce

You can start harvesting your lettuce leaf or baby lettuce when they attain about 4 inches long. The outer leaves are the best to pick so always aim to cut the outward leaves. These ones always taste amazing and you can prepare some lovely salad green with them. Be sure they always taste superior compared to the matured ones.

Use a sharp tool like scissors or shears to cut them in singles or a bunch above the crown. Avoid cutting inwards or below the crown so your lettuce plant does not die off.

A lettuce farm where you can continuously harvest will have several rows of growing lettuce. The lettuce leaves will continue to grow at various stages of maturity with some being a week or two older. As you continue this cycle, you are also slowing down the bolting process which is what we want.

Every time you pick, ensure you pick from different rows so other rows that have been harvested before can have time to grow again. Each time you harvest, ensure you plant progressively so you can come for more crops after a week or two of harvesting. This is another way of ensuring the cut and come again experience.

Always have in mind that after cutting a row, the new lettuce leaf will be ready to be harvested again in about two weeks.

When To Harvest Leaf Lettuce

You can check your seed pack for days of maturity to know when to harvest your lettuce leaves. Depending on the kind of variety your choose, lettuce can take up to 60 to 100 days to mature.

From the size and shape of the lettuce head, you should be able to tell when it’s ready.

However, you can harvest anytime, just ensure you always harvest your lettuce leaf before they go into bolting. They enter bolting at the end of their growing season and this is when you should discontinue harvest.

Bolting is when they start to enter the flowering stage and this occurs during the hot season. Bolted lettuce leaf will result in a bitter taste which is what we do not want.

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During the hot season, you can try and shield the lettuce leaf by covering each row. Use shade cloth or row covers to shield your lettuce. This will help in delaying the bolting process.

However, you should avoid planting lettuce during hot climates. Hold on till the climate is cool around fall or spring and continue planting your lettuce.

FAQ’s

How do you harvest leaf lettuce so it keeps growing?

Leaf lettuce is a popular salad green because of its crisp texture, but harvesting the leaves for salad can be laborious. The leaves are not very hardy, and when they are harvested they start to wilt and fall over. You could harvest the leaves as soon as they are ready.
You don’t have to do anything special to keep the lettuce growing. If you’re harvesting for salad, just leave the whole plant in place and pick the leaves as needed. When you cut off the head, you’re only removing the top of the plant, and the lettuce will continue to grow.

Will lettuce regrow after cutting?

The stems of lettuce regrow when cut, and you can harvest the leaves again. In some cases, it takes a couple of days for the new growth to develop. If your lettuce is cut too close to the base of the plant, the roots will be damaged and the plants won’t regrow.

How do I know when my leaf lettuce is ready to pick?

Leaf lettuce comes in a wide range of varieties, each with its own growing season. Lettuce is a cool-season crop and requires at least 5 hours of daylight, and preferably 8 to 10 hours of sunlight per day. Most varieties will be harvested when the heads are full and have formed tight, compact heads. You can harvest lettuce when it is still slightly tender, but before the heads begin to develop cracks. As a general rule, you can tell when lettuce is ready to be picked by looking at the leaves. If they are large and dark green, then it’s probably ready. However, you should still pick them while they are still small, bright green and tender.

How many times can you regrow lettuce?

Lettuce is an annual plant. It will grow from seed, but it will not grow again until the next year. Lettuce is a cool-weather crop, and it can be difficult to grow in the hot weather of summer. But if you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, you can keep growing lettuce all summer long.
The first time you grow it will be more difficult because you don’t have an established root system, and you won’t know exactly where to place your seedlings. But once you have several plants growing at the same time, it gets easier.
If you are growing it from seed, expect to start with a few seedlings and eventually get down to one plant per square foot (or two or three).

How do you keep lettuce growing in the summer?

You can grow lettuce year round, but it does take some extra attention and planning. The main thing is to start from seed in the spring and plant every two weeks until late fall, when temperatures are cooler. You don’t want to plant the seeds too early and then have them die over the winter. A good way to space your plants is to sow seeds a couple of inches apart and thin to one plant per hill.
There are several types of lettuce that grow well in hotter climates. The ones with a red leaf are romaine lettuce. They will tolerate hot weather and do well if watered daily. You may also want to water it once a week at least. Romaine lettuce is a good choice for salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Other lettuces that will tolerate hot weather are butterhead, iceberg, and leaf lettuce. They will also do well if you water them daily.

How To Pick Lettuce

Always harvest the outer part of the lettuce leaf throughout their growing season and harvest at the right size. Ensure you plant more lettuce progressively as you harvest. If you do this always, you will enjoy continuous growth for many more seasons. Remember, lettuces will only grow well in cool weather conditions.

Once you have harvested your lettuce leaf, you can store them by refrigerating them for a week or two.

If you follow our tips on how to successfully plant and harvest leaf lettuce, you should be able to enjoy fresh and green salad all year round.

We do hope this information has been helpful to your garden. Happy growing.
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.

May 28, 2021
Grow Room Size Per Plant
One of the first points to put in mind when commencing indoor hydroponic farming is the size of your grow room. This is important so you can determine the right grow room size per plant and carefully plan and work on your grow space to maximize yield.

Let’s take a look at how to choose the right grow room size that will suit your plants’ size.

Requirements To Consider

Before we dive into grow room size per plant, let’s get to know the requirements. Some factors will determine how to choose the grow room size per plant. Let’s take a look at some of these factors:
- Plant Size: Now, when it comes to plants, knowing the plant size is another factor to consider when growing in a particular room space. We have small plants, medium-sized plants, bigger plants, and bushier plants. You can get the plant size information on the packet of your seed pack. You may also find the plant’s growing height and perhaps seed spacing requirements in the seed pack.
- Spacing: Another factor is spacing requirements. While there are plants that require give planting space and failure to do so can cause poor growth and health of the plant. However, there are a few plants that can allow planting them close to each other. For example, plants that need to be pollinated by other plants will need their pollinating plants to be close to them.
Grow Space Room Size Per Plant

Talking about the recommended grow room size per plant, let’s take a look at this using a grow room of size 10 x 10 (i.e 10 feet by 10). A 10 x 10 room size equals 100 square foot room.

The number of plants that will fit a 100 square foot room will be less than 2000 small-sized plants. For medium-sized plants, it can fit about 200 to 450 plants. While for bigger or bushier plants, you can fit 25 to 100 plants for a 100 square foot grow size room.

Always have in mind that the space and size of plants will determine the number of plants you can fit in a grow room.

Read more about Leaving Grow Lights On 24 Hours

Using Grow Tent To Determine The Grow Room Size For Plants

Many hydroponic growers especially newbies usually wish to plan the number of plants they want to grow and select the appropriate grow tent size for it. This is a very good plan. Just ensure you have the required space where you can set up your grow tent in your home.

So, here are some various grow size tents and how many plants you can fit in them:
- 2 x 2 Grow Tent: let’s see how many plants we can fit in a 2 x 2 grow tent. Usually, a single plant is ideal for a 2 x 2 grow tent together with a 3 or 5-gallon container. However, you can still fit in 4 smaller plants in this grow tent size.
- 2 x 4 Grow Tent: 7 to 8 small sized-plants can fit in this grow tent size.
- 3 x 3 Grow Tent: this size can allow you to grow 9 small plants or more.
- 4 x 4 Grow Tent: you can comfortably plant about 4 regular-sized plants with this size.
- 4 x 8 Grow Tent: two large plants can fit into this size. About 8 medium-sized and 32 or more small plant sized can fit in this grow room space.
- 5 x 5 Grow Tent: you can easily grow up to 25 plants with this grow room size.
Importance Of Determining The Appropriate Grow Room Size

Determining the appropriate grow room size per plant is very crucial when it comes to indoor hydroponics. Doing this will accurately guide you to calculating the capacity in which you can plant. This way, you can enhance the quality and results of the harvest.

However, if you choose an undersized or wrong grow room, there are serious consequences to this. It can result in overheating of your plants and your garden will be overcrowded. Now overcrowding will result in low-quality yield which is totally the opposite of what any gardener wants.

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Also, oversized grow room has its own issue. Oversized grow room will cost you a lot because there will be an increase in total operating cost. It will require extra costs such as more electricity consumption, constant temperature regulation to an accommodating level for plants, etc.

Find out the Cheapest Hydroponic Growing Medium

FAQ’s

How many plants should be in a grow room?

The table below shows how many plants you would need to grow for different wattage requirements.

How many plants can you grow in a 10×10 tent?

There are a lot of different things to consider when you’re looking to start your own garden. From what to plant, to how much space you have to work with, and what kind of space you have to work with.
A 10’x10′ tent could handle about 32 plants, if they were medium size. You would have to be careful with your watering though, you wouldn’t want it getting too wet.

How big is a 4×4 grow tent?

A 4×4 grow tent can hold as many as four plants, but it’s usually just two or three.

Most growers purchase a 4×4 tent. They are able to grow a wide variety of plants in these tents. A 4×4 tent has four walls, which means that there are four sides to the tent. These walls are usually made out of either metal or plastic. The tent comes with a door at one end, which leads to the inside of the grow tent. A 4×4 tent is an excellent choice if you want to grow as many different types of plants as possible. There are a few advantages of having a 4×4 tent. For one, it gives you the room that you need to grow a lot of plants. It also provides you with more space for lights and for growing.

Do you need a carbon filter for a grow tent?

arbon filters are used in conjunction with air purifiers to filter out particles, dust and odors from the air. Carbon has a high surface area which allows it to attract airborne particles.

This is why they are used in conjunction with air purifiers. The most common carbon filters that I have come across in my research are the carbon block filters. There are a couple of problems with using a carbon filter in a grow tent. The first is that the carbon needs to be maintained to keep its effectiveness. This means you need to clean it regularly. It’s not as hard as it sounds.

There are a few ways you can do this. You can use a vacuum cleaner and run it over the carbon or if you want to be more hands on you can wash it in water and soap. Either way, you need to get rid of the sooty build up that is inevitable when using a carbon filter. The second problem with using a carbon filter is that there is a limit to how much air can pass through them. You only need to look at the dimensions of the carbon to see how big of an issue this could be. If you have a 10 ft x 10 ft grow tent, then you need to use a carbon filter that is about 4 inches thick. This will allow for the air to flow through the carbon. If you are growing in a larger tent, then you will need a bigger carbon filter. A final issue with using a carbon filter is that it does not absorb odors. If you are growing in a tent and you are using an air purifier, then you won’t need to worry about this as the purifier will take care of it.

Final Say

With that said, we hope you have picked one or two things on how to choose the right grow room size for your hydroponic indoor garden. Happy growing!
Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
May 18, 2021
Leaving Grow Lights On 24 Hours
The impact of grow lights in hydroponics gardening is very essential as it mimics the work done by natural sunlight. There’s is no disputing that leaving grow light on for long will result in faster growth. However, the question is: is leaving your grow lights on for 24 hours ideal? Let’s look into this.

Leaving your grow lights on for 24 hours will sure supply your plants more light and if you notice they aren’t getting adequate light, increasing the number of light supply is fine. However, this is usually not the ideal way out and we will let you know why.

Can You Leave Grow Lights On 24 Hours A Day: Ideal Or Not?

It is not the best idea to leave your grow light on for 24 hours even if your plants are not getting enough light supply. The best solution is to obtain more light installations or switch to a stronger grow light. Thus, it’s not ideal to leave your grow light on all day and we will give you more reasons.

Reasons Why Leaving Grow Lights On For 24 Hours Isn’t Ideal

Let’s take a look at some reasons why leaving your grow lights on 24 hours is not recommended:
1. No Resting Time For Plants: when you run your grow light all day, your plants will have no time to rest. Just like a human being needs rest, plants also require a resting stage. Have in mind that the natural sun does not go up all day. We have the night time which is the dark cycle of the plants. Allow your indoor hydroponics plants to also have this dark cycle. During the dark cycle which is the resting stage, it is believed plants use this period to convey nutrients into the most distant part of the plants.
2. Not Ideal For The Flowering Phase: 24 hours lighting duration is not ideal for plants that need to enter the flowering phase. Your plants won’t transition into the flowering phase unless you decrease the hours of lightening. Now if your plants are already in their flowering phase and you up the light duration to 24 hours, doing that can be quite catastrophic. This can cause your plant to go back to the vegetative phase and it might even take a long time to return to its flowering phase.
3. Additional Cost: An additional cost is another reason. More electricity will be used and it might require you to change the bulb frequently.
4. Additional Heat: more heat is will be emitted when you leave the grow lights all day. It will require you to also run more fans as well as other cooling instruments to control the excess heat.
5. Puts Stress On Equipment: additional stress is put on your equipment as they are working all day without rest. This can reduce the lifespan of your equipment.
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Leaving your grow lights on for 24 hours long has just one advantage. Your plant receives more light and it will result in rapid growth. This is usually ideal for plants that require only the vegetative phase. So, plants like veggies may benefit from this. Nevertheless, the disadvantages of leaving your grow lights on for 24 hours outweigh the advantages.

How To Determine Light Duration: Factors To Consider For 24 Hours Of Light

Put these factors into consideration when deciding the duration to leave grow lights on:
1. Type Of Plants: there are different types of plants namely low-light, medium-light, and high-light plants. Always determine the type you are growing.
2. Type Of Grow Light: the types of grow light we have are LED, compact fluorescents, regular bulbs, metal halide, and high-intensity discharge lights. All these grow light supply different capacities of light so you can choose one whichever that suits your growing needs.
3. Growing Phase: vegetative type of plants may benefit from 24 hours light duration. But flowering and fruiting plants will require a dark phase. The cloning or seedling germination phase is critical so they require both light and dark phases. You can supply them with 12 to 16 hours of light and 8 hours of the dark phase.
What Are The Ideal Hours For Running Grow Light?

It is required to supply your hydroponics plants with at least 12 hours of light and at most 18 hours of light daily. However, if you notice your plants aren’t receiving optimal light you can replace the fixtures or switch to a more powerful light.

Light Output Plants Require

All flowering plants and fruit-bearing plants require 20 to 40 moles of light daily. 18 hours grow light duration can supply 20 moles of light if you make use of LED grow light that has 308 micro-moles of light.

For a 12 hours light duration to produce 20 moles of light, your grow light must be able to supply about 462 micro-moles of light.

FAQs

What happens if you leave grow lights on all the time?

You’re probably wondering what happens when you leave grow lights on all the time. After all, you’re growing plants and there’s no doubt that they will need to use a lot of energy to do so. If you have ever looked at grow lights before, you may be surprised to find out how much power they actually use.

This is a very interesting question. I’ve had a lot of experience with grow lights and what I do know is that I don’t leave my lights on all the time. I only turn them on when I need them. The first thing that comes to mind is the light spectrum. If you leave your lights on all the time, the spectrum will be different than it would be if you were to turn them on at a specific time. This will affect the quality of the plants, and it could also cause other problems.

Another thing that I’ve noticed is that my lights tend to stay warmer. When I first started using them, they were so bright that I thought they were burning the plants. But as time went on, I discovered that they actually helped the plants by increasing the temperature, which allowed them to grow faster. Now I know this might sound weird to some people, but for me, turning the lights off for a few hours has worked out well. It doesn’t seem to affect the plants much at all.

Why shouldn’t I leave my grow lights on all the time?

You risk burning your plants. This is probably the biggest reason why you shouldn’t leave your grow lights on for 24 hours.

The fact is that when you leave grow lights on for 24 hours, it creates an environment where your plants can use up all of their energy reserves and grow to a point where they can no longer recover. This can result in stunted growth, and even death.

You also risk wasting electricity. It’s true, if you’re using LED grow lights, then you’re going to be using a lot of electricity over the course of 24 hours. If you’re using a 10-watt grow light for 24 hours, then you’re going to be using up 1,000 watts of electricity.

Can seedlings get 24 hours of light?

You may think that this is a time when it would make the most sense to keep them showered in light non-stop, b ut the truth of the matter is that just like mature plants, seeds need to rest after a certain period of time.

What should I consider when it comes to light duration?

Light duration is one of the most important factors to determine the quality of a light. This is because it affects the plants growth, flowering and fruiting cycles. It also affects the light spectrum. You can have a very bright but short light duration. Or you can have a very weak but long light duration.

1.To determine the light duration, you need to know the following factors:

The intensity of the light source

The spectrum of the light

The amount of light emitted at any time

The color temperature of the light source

The size of the plant container

The light source

Eunice
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
May 15, 2021