Book tips needed nd hope for contact in the phils

14 years ago

Hello

Im Tom, im Landscaper so planting is my profession, but the Hydroponic-way of growing plants is new to me nd there r significant diffrences in growing without soil.

So i would like to ask the experts here if u have some suggestions about some good Books to learn more about the topic, that i dont have to flood the forum with questions.

Im interested in growing lettuce in tropical Conditions, as far as i find out the NFT System is the best to do so.

And if there r some lettuce Growers located in the philippines in this forum willing to share knowledge nd give some teachings i would appreciate to hear from u guys.

I know that there where some, but the topic was discussed in 2003, hopefully some of u guys r still active in this forum...

Thanks for ur help nd answers

Best regards Tom

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Comments (7)

joe.jr317
14 years ago
I recommend "Gardening Indoors with Soil and Hydroponics" by George Van Patten. Great info.

Lettuce is very simple to do in a raft. Fill a tote or bucket up with water. Add nutrient. Place an air stone in there for added oxygen. Cut holes in something that floats on the surface and can support the plants. Place the net cups or whatever you use to hold the plant in the holes. Watch them grow and harvest a month later or so. Make sure to use lots of light and keep the temps down. Cooler is better for lettuce and most other greens.
tommaldito
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks Joe for ur feedback..

Ur input with the raft sounds nice, but i think its more for backyard-growing for ur own consumption. I plan to grow comercial, means in hundreds or thousands..but first getting experience nd experimenting..

The temperature will be a problem..i read of some heat resistance varieties, nd also the nutrient mix seems to be the key for growing lettuce under high temperatures. i read that a higher nitrogen part in the mix can solve the problem of the high temperature..nd maybe 50% shadow for the plants whhile the hottest hours in the day..what do u think?
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The other thing you can do is utilise the public library system. If your local library doesn't have a book on hand, there is interlibrary loan - they can get it for you from wherever it is in stock - it might take a couple of weeks, but... If you really like a book, then you can buy it. Another option might be asking around to see if there are any local organic gardeners/producers - try the local Farmers Market or health food store for names and contact info - and see if they would be willing to let you pick their brains for a listing of good books. If you offered to help out with any necessary chores - weeding, etc. - then you might get a good response. While some of their books might be oriented towards a larger scale than you want, the principles would be the same. IOf there is a local source for organic fertilisers then they would possibly be able to help, both with other organic gardeners and with a list of good books - just be careful they DO know something, and aren't just rying to sell the most-heavily-stocked-book! That said you might try anything by Elliot Coleman - even though he is in Maine, the principles are the same. However, finding local sources, or at least southern sources, would make the extrapolations and adjustments a LOT easier. Depending on where you got the book from, and if you beat it up while reading it, you might be able to return it. I have often returned books to Waldenbooks or B & N, simply saying that they weren't what I wanted. If you don't have the receipt, you'll probably get a store credit.
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grizzman
14 years ago
check out you tube. I saw a video there of a commercial lettuce greenhouse and they only used rafts.
tommaldito
Original Author
14 years ago
pretty impressive this video. i will just try all the different systems to find out whats best for the conditions here in my place..nd what has the lowest cost to run it..
gmcd
14 years ago
"but i think its more for backyard-growing for ur own consumption. I plan to grow comercial, means in hundreds or thousands"

As far as I know, the raft system and NFT are really the only 2 viable options of growing lettuce on a large scale.
tommaldito
Original Author
14 years ago
yes, after research nd research nd research( Hydroponics makes me realy addicted, i dream already of it hehehe) i found out that the raft system is realy the way to do it. The biggest plus is that no electricity is needed. In my place here we have sometimes Electricity Blackouts daily for several hours..so NFT is not realy good cause i need backup equipment like Generator or something to run the pump..in general, i think the raft system is the easiest and cheapest way to grow lettuce..

Thanks for all ur posts..i will let u know when my first system is running..

Best regards Tom
joe.jr317
14 years ago
I think it would be a good idea to aerate the water in a raft system, so I don't know if I would rule out a need for electricity. Particularly on a large scale. I'm sure there are ways around using electricity, but I don't know them. You could use solar or wind to power aerating devices to avoid unreliable grid problems. I've seen them sold for personal ponds. Not cheap, but surely you can find an affordable method for a commercial set-up.

Book tips needed nd hope for contact in the phils

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Book tips needed nd hope for contact in the phils

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joe.jr317

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