Hello All, My question is about celery. I've grown it in the greenhouse but it takes a long time and with a late start this year I decided to try it hydroponically. I started from seed in Coir and moved it to ab ebb-and-flow system. It's amount eight inches tall now under large CFL's and doing fine but in one of my references celery is listed as needing Sodium and Chlorine in the nutrients. I'm using X Nutrients which have some Sodium but no Chlorine and I wondered about adding a little table salt. Anyone have any experience or thoughts? Earl

My wife wants me to grow lettuce outdoors. I am looking to use either perlite, or the raft system. I read on the UF site about using only water soluble 20-20-20 plus epsom salts to grow healthy plants. Is it true I can use simple and cheap nutrients versus the expensive hydroponics nutrients? Anyone have experience growing lettuce down here during the Florida winter? I was wondering if I should grow on my covered south facing patio so it only receives early morning direct sunlight. If not I will place in full sun, but it can get a bit hot during mid-day. I planned on growing grand rapids lettuce since I have the seeds, but I will change to whatever suits the Tampa winter climate the best. I would appreciate any advice.

the UofF, I believe, uses a soluble hydro solution (6-15-4, i think) plus calcium nitrate, epsom salts, and maybe potassium nitrate to make there solution. I haven't looked at it in a while. If you're new to hydro, stick with the fox farm or maybe general hydroponics 3 part flora series. The other stuff is cheaper over the long haul, but a good chunk of change out of pocket up front. If you find hydro isn't for you, you'll just end up with a surplus of chemicals laying around.

I live in Brisbane Australia where we have tropical weather, I have a 200 litre tank of nutrients with 5 large trays, growing Chinese Bok Choy and other vegetables with one tray with a Heirloom Brandy Wine tomato.using the ebb and flow system,The nutrient uptake is considerable, but looking at the size of the tomatos which are still green are nearly the size of my open hand. So I say its okay as long as you get the results.Just think in the garden or in a large pot with daily watering it amounts to about the same amount of moisture uptake.