Hydroponic baby lettuce and micro-greens

[KingRyltar]

i noticed that the guy was trimming the baby lettuce, harvesting some...not sure the species your using, How many harvests of that type can you typically get? using the trimming, ty

[21centimetres]

B12 vitamin can be found in the dirt that exists in soil.Isn't hydroponics a ticket to B12 deficiency for vegans,due to soil absence???

[elkrivermr]

Love the video!!  I was wondering if i could get the size of the operation and how much production you see out of it. I am experimenting with arugula and garden cress using the same basic system and just wanted to know what output i could possibly see.

Keep up the videos!!

[SuperGREENSTEAM]

Great video... Love your philosophy: KISS - Keep It Sweet and Simply! What are your recommendations for grow channels / tables used for for the greens? It appears from the video your using some type of vinyl material. I am going to use your style in the back yard concept to grow about 12 specialty greens to include 5 Asian Greens. Thank you for leading the way. IRIE

[KingRyltar]

Looks like you are using a burlap for the seed medium to grow on, is this the case?

I am guessing that it would be pretty cheap, compared to something else, with the high rate of turn over with fast growing micro greens. The bottom line is the goal with a business.

[kiddo4351]

Hi! Great set up. I am interested in knowing more about your system and how to set one up. If you can help, it would be appreciated. Thanks.

[DATASHRINK]

Burlap as a media huh? Very cool. Once the seeds sprout on the burlap once is it spent? How many times can you plant on it? And each run is fed by gravity with an 3gph drip head? Theres no gravel or media under the drip head?

Thanks

[zaia3957]

very interesting video:O) what is the song? i really would appreciate to know

[redwinetragedies1969]

great video, haha.

do they grow back after harvesting or you just sow a new batch of seeds?

thanks ^_^

[crossfamilyfarms]

Sorry I have not responded... Growing medium is burlap. Drip system, fertilizer and Ph balancing acid in the blue tank. A good way to start off is with Miracle Grow. It has anything you need as way of plant food to get you started then you can tweak it a little. Add some Calcium Nitrate. I can write to you more detailed instruction on anything specific you have a question with, just write me a message. Thanks...

[777ech]

@crossfamilyfarms Seriously, Miracle grow? Yuck!

[fricky7069]

hi im immanuel from philippines, and i really like your videos especially this one. i was wondering if you know what kind of media they are using, to me it seems like a cloth or something... hope you could read this post ^_^

[MrUgochukwu2000]

Great work you did and very simple. I will be interested to know how you build your system. Do you have DVD that teaches all about your system. You can reach me with my you tube address or  ayahugochukwu@yahoo.com

Wel done.

[Madisonmaragh]

This bad news for Jamaica

[yhpap2]

thanks much for coming up with a video like this. you inspired me so much that i

want to try it also.

i am so desperately been wanting grow lettuce for my family's consumption.. I don't know if it will be ok to do it here in the Philippines. I also don't know what and how to feed my would be lettuce.

thanks and more power!

[yhpap2]

first, congratulations! you propagated hydroponics your way without spending much. i'm so into it 2 but have no idea what to feed my would be lettuce. lol .i like the atmosphere where you r not enclosed like the greenhouses that r bad for the environment...keep it up.... thanks !

[kevbro321]

hey nice setup , im interrested in grow lettuce hydroponicly , but i wonderd if you cud make the food for them out of the old waste from other crops thus bein self suficunt if you cud rig up your set up to be pump free? any usefull ideas or link plz email me , chears

[Daridude]

amazing just amazing... I just recently started out a very small ebb and flow hydroponic system for lettuce....i am seriously struggling with the type of nutrient and mediums...I'am finally starting to get some success but lettuce in 2 weeks..WOW!!! I would love to try your system out....would you help me?

[ursushoribilisron]

This is a great video.

Thank you for your energy.

I am interested in a video that explains your design and operation of your system enough to replicate it.

I congratulate your innovation and creativity.

[basilbrushnz]

so this is a gravity drip from one end onto a spreader mat that is "wicking" the solution?

[silverpizza100]

Her bro first off..hats off , I always love to see what people are working with. Looks as if you use matts and a drip system, do you use a return system? Also I will mention another style of hydroponics you may want to explore. People are now using styrofoam boards that float on a bead of H20. You can reuse everything. You can replace the matts with styrofoam and just run the H20 faster in your system. But you need a return system..

[Tabonuco27]

Hi! I'm from Puerto Rico and i really enjoy the video, it's very intresting and educational. I will like to know more about the whole system you used, because i was starting a new project on aeroponic, but by looking at the video I change my mind. If you can help me with whatever i will be glab. Thank You

[crossfamilyfarms]

sure, I will help.

send me a message in youtube

[magprob]

Very nice greens. I've been eating micro greens for years, every time I thin my garden. I find basil and all greens to be a treat at any size.

Keep up the good work and tell the lizards I said Hi!

[14CPO]

i found micro greens lack flavour comapred to full sized herbs that have had time to develop a stronger flavour. THey seem to lack intense flavour.

[crossfamilyfarms]

well I find this not true. Ours have a very strong flavor. The carrots taste like carrots, the "bulls blood beets" taste like beets. The arugula is very very strong, knocks your socks off strong, as well as the basil. I think the weather has a lot to do with it. where have you grown micro greens?

[14CPO]

i grow my own low pressure aeroponic basil under lights. The only good thing i found about micro greens is the quicker growing time. BUt full size basil was a much better flavour. YOu cannot deny a more mature basil plant has better flavour. no point arguing

[crossfamilyfarms]

argue -No I dont argue with people, I just have a different opinion. My basil rocks in the flavor. But, I do this for a living, I am a farmer and a chef. I enjoy food and different food flavors, maybe the variety you are growing does not have a strong flavor untill it is mature. My site and my video are for farmers who would like to grow micro greens. I help them with varietys and disease. I am glad you enjoy your basil. My mico basil is very intense in flavor- we have differnet growing

[headgreengnome]

@14CPO "Growing under lights could be the problem- Lack of vivour and Brix is a common problem with unbanced correct chromatic lights!

[crossfamilyfarms]

haha... puny? wow really? ok in a very nice way I am going to educate you a tad. I am a chef and Micro Greens are the new culinary trend, they pack a punch in the flavor department . We grow large herbs also, but micro greens are used like a spice on salads and things like crab cakes and to garnish- who likes to eat the parsley? the micro greens add to the plate in taste and eye appeal. Check it out further on the internet... We can get a crop in 10-14 days. Chefs and foodies love them !!

[eightmeg2003]

Very nice video and much luv to the hard working lizzards.

[leddy100]

What a great video, it's very inspiring.

I plan to do a smaller set up in my back yard.

Were those long channels watered with just one dripper each?What varieties did you grow.

I also love the lizards, very cool.

Many Thanks.

[zipflick]

Nice video. I'm surprised it's only lettuce given your in Jamaica :)

[mycommedia]

Hi it is really nice and very interesting, we are in the process of setting up Small commerical hydrponic farm in Toronto where the winter months are very cold, but planning to build a tempereature controlled greenhouse for only growing tropical Amaranth or its called chinese spinach. its a 21 days crop grown very similar as Micro greens. I am just wondering whether you have any idea, we appreciate if you can give some of your thoughts. Thanks and best wishes for your project.

[Signzit]

Nice. I'm copying your idea, thanks so much for sharing the burlap micro food.

3 Questions if I may; what percent shade cloth is that you're using in your grow house? I'm worried about algae.

When growing the mirco-greens for/as super-food, on avg. how many days from broadcast to clipping and eating?

how many times over, can you use the burlap before replacement is required?

thanks again & good growing

[crossfamilyfarms]

We were in Jamaica, we used 80%. Where are you, I have a chart I can tell you. We never had algae because of the fast harvest and turn around. We would harvest in about 12 days from planting the micro greens and 2 weeks for lettuce.

[crossfamilyfarms]

We got the burlap from a coffee company, so we only used it 2 or 3 times. Let it dry out in the sun for a few days and then you can shake out all the dead left over roots and use it again. We are using "Sure to Grow" now on our micro-greens. Awsome product check it out. you can re-use it several times.

[crossfamilyfarms]

Because we would harvest so fast, fungus, pythium, or other disease did not have time to set up. We would clean the trays with bleach and soap ,let them dry out in the sun. I have visited several greenhouses, and they would have algae all over the place, with tomatoes, cucumbers, and head lettuce and pepers. this is a fast crop, so we never saw the algae-

[crossfamilyfarms]

I have a posting question- I allways run out of "character count" and have to break up my posts !!! why is that - very frustrating. !!!

[crossfamilyfarms]

we are back in Jamaica armed with a chiller and "sure to grow" so the next crop in going in now- we need the chiller in Jamaica because it is so hot there in the summer. thanks for your interest and I will be happy to answer any other questions. we just used miricle grow, some cal-nitrate, and some sticker in the water- we did not have elecricity so it is very cheep. the seeds were the biggest cost. It is fun and easy and very rewarding- keep me posted of your progress. good luck

[Signzit]

Hi CrossFamily, Thank you so much for taking the time with a Tyro

I was very impressed with you burlap set-up, Brilliant

I am learning a small system using catfish as the nutrient and algae is a big issue for us. We use Barley Hay as a control and it's concentrate extract; a large area exposed to the sun can cause a disruption in the systems delicate balance especially in extreme heat

We are in eastern Tennessee western NC. for the shade and temps see my latest Video if you like as reference,

[Larrye123]

Hi, love the video and the music. Would you please tell me the name of the song and or group. Thank you

[crossfamilyfarms]

It was in my sample music, love this song.... I was with out the internet when I was in Jamaica doing this project, I was so board with no tv, or internet so I made this move.

group: I Ka Barra

song: your work

[CuernavacaFamily]

What a great idea! Do you need to fertilize the plans? If so, what do you do use?

I would love to make a smaller (much smaller, ha!) setup for our mission center in Mexico. Any advice would be appreciated.

[crossfamilyfarms]

Thanks for your post. We fertilize with a formula we developed, we used miricle grow and Calcium nitrate. We tested our water for PH also, and put in a little acid to balance it out. Write me a message from my channel page and I will be glad to help with your project.

[CuernavacaFamily]

Thank you very much!

God Bless you!

[javiermjaar]

Very nice way of growing baby greens. It looks like the containers where the seeds are planted are made of plastic. Where did you get them or how do you make them?

[crossfamilyfarms]

the seed trays are metal roofing material. Had them made in Jamaica - You can buy plastic ones from hydroponic dealers... Cropking is one.

[vertigrow]

For those of us who grow lettuce, summer heat is always a concern. By using this simple method of growing baby greens, lettuce can be grown to just before the point of "bolting" and then harvested, thereby allowing the grower to produce sweet, edible lettuce even in the summer heat!

NIce video and great idea. Thank you for sharing.

[crossfamilyfarms]

cpt747, we used burlap from a coffee company, they get big rolls to make burlap bags for Jamaican Coffee. The coffee is not bad down in Jamaica !! Thanks for the comment.

[cpt747]

thanks for that, I am very interested in your set up and will build one similar here in New Zealand, coffee isnt so good here!

Good idea using gravity drip feeders! Does the Burlap taint the flavour of the greens? do you increase the drip feed as the plants grow? ever thought about using an electric bread knife to cut the roots instead of scissors?

[crossfamilyfarms]

love the questions: Burlap has no effect on taste. As the plants grow it is the most important to keep water going,it can NEVER go dry.Seed germination requires a"glow"of water-water must be flowing enough to germinate but not wash the seeds.

[crossfamilyfarms]

Electric bread knife will tear the very delicate plants,so we tried a knife,holding up the mat and cutting it down into tray-scissors work best.On some plants I would just pull up the plant and then cut off roots(herbs)and on the lettuce we would hold the plant and cut next to the root while it was still on the mat.Thanks again for your commits and questions.

[crossfamilyfarms]

in the vid- watch 30sec mark- where I have the clamshell that is where I had already harvested, and I got almost every plant, so the scissors work best, when you cut with a knife, you waste some.

[cpt747]

what was the cloth you used in the channels, was it hemp cloth or hessian?

[serlups]

what a great video

lovely music too

thanx a lot for sharing

i am definitely going to give it a try

hopefully will become a herbalist ;)

[motel420]

Wow, awesome vid! Call yer brother:)

[Mefoo007]

Wow, Extreamly informitive! Cheap no hassle way of growing micro greens. Can easly be adapted for smaller indoor systems which is my next project. Thanks for sharing great information! 8)

[wineguyfrommars]

Great, love the lizards