Thanks everyone for your responses. Fordhook Giant was one that I was considering growing, I am so happy to hear that you believe the leaf minors do not bother it as much. My guess is that the fact that Foodhook Giant grows fast probably helps against the leaf minors. Last year I had big problems with leaf minors. Wiped out all my beets and swiss chard. I have never had a problem with leaf minors destroying my beets before, always got almost perfect leaves. Last year was the first time I tried growing swiss chard (Bright Lights), and they did not even have a chance because of the leaf minors. I am hoping to get a hoop house up in the spring that I can grow my greens in to protect them from leaf minors and flea beetles (which I have always had problems with). I think I may have been planing on ordering the Perpetual Spinach / Leaf Beet, not sure though. I know I did read about that somewhere. I am going to have to do some research on all the other varieties everyone mentioned, they all sound very interesting. Thanks again everyone, now I am off to look up all the different types mentioned.

Nice papaya plants! I'd like to know about the growing conditions when they are indoors...what's the room temperature where they're growing, and how often do you water them. I've had difficulties keeping papayas alive in the winter unless I have them on heat pads and under grow lights, and there's a size limit on the table where I have the heat pad. And if I just set them next to a window (it's a cold house), they eventually develop root rot, even when I water sparingly. So I've like to know your secrets, if you'll share them. John

yes yes yes! the hydroponic guides i've read are not nearly as geared towards the novice as this one. and it's also really excellent in regards to small setups which is where i'm coming from. it's '81 but dammit everything is still relevant even the terminology enough i can walk into the hardware store with a list and there is no problem. it is beautifully written, great instructions, doesn't make you feel like there are things you can't do but is realistic. amazing. pictures. of course it's not an anthology, you must have further information on proper care. but it is most definitely a welcoming approach to hydroculture. talks about using cut-in-half empty gallon milk jugs with a tube connected via fitting in a whole on the side near the bottom that runs into a quart-sized glass jar beneath. jar holds the nutrient solution which gets poured into the milk jug then drains back into the jar relocated below. medium is simply some pea gravel. one vegetable plant per jug. perfect for a shelf-lined windowsill i have. he talks only about growing under 4ft. fluoro shoplights. i'll let you know how an experiment with cfl's goes. peace, brothers.

Hi Everyone, I'm new here so forgive me if I'm posting in the wrong area of the site. I've been growing various herbs outside in my garden but the weather is a little too cold now so I'm looking at bringing my herb garden indoors. I've been doing a little research and have decided that a grow tent is the best way to go. I have also learnt that a Blue Fluorescent is best for the likes of Basil and Coriander, is this correct and will I need any other kind of light? This is the Grow Tent that I'm interested in growing in - 80 x 80 x 160cm. Does anyone have any experience of grow inside a tent, if so what are the pitfalls? Any help would be greatly appreciated.