Growing lettuce indoors

[Potstubsdustbins]

Thanks for that VC very interesting. So I could use it to bring on some early seedlings and then grow winter salad, sounds good to me.

SWMBO has authorised the purchase so will ring them tomorrow and if they have one in stock it will have a new home.

I will let you know.

Colin

[Bren In Pots]

So long as I sow my AYR/arctic king lettuce seeds around the end of August and plant them by the end of Oct when the tomatoes come out I have a good supply of lettuce over winter.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Wallet now lighter by £64-50p delivery promised for Wens I will post a report when it arrives.

Colin

[chris]

Could you upload a couple of picture please Colin? It doesn't look that large really, for me to enjoy home grown salad all year round I'd need at least a couple I'd have thought (I really enjoy salads, so like large portions).

I think I may try and create a strain suited to my local climate as above too

[SarzWix]

I'm very envious Potty

Chris, it looks like it'll take at least a full size seed tray. If you grow cut and come again types like salad bowl and those other frilly types, in a deep tray, you should get a reasonable amount?

ETA: 64cm wide, that's longer than 2 school rulers, right? 2 seed trays then

[chris]

Oh, wide? Hmm misread Bigger than I thought then.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Comes with 2 full sized seed trays but they are deeper to allow for root growth.

When it arrives I will post pics that are more informative than the one in the advert.

Sarah, at first it seemed expensive but I am going to use it to raise a few early toms, peppers etc. Then at the back end lettuce Salad Bowl and Lolla Rosso, radish, rocket may even try some spring onions.

As I say I will keep you posted as to how viable it is.

Colin

[SarzWix]

I think it will pay for itself quite quickly, and if I can find the money I'll be having one meself. Unfortunately, #2 son has his birthday in a couple of weeks, so that gets priority.

[veggiechicken]

Wouldn't your son like one as a present!!!!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Well it arrived as promised always a good start. My first impression as I picked up the box was 'this is weighty' again another good sign in my book.

It was well packed in a sturdy cardboard box and in that, the individual items were also boxed in cardboard. Only two poly bags and no polystyrene quite a novelty in this day and age.

It is constructed from 4mm heavy duty plastic so no wobbly bits, the only metal parts are the two riser's to hold the hood (alli) and the light batterns.

Tools required for assembly 1 pozidrive screwdriver and a knocking stick. I used a rubber mallet. Assembly itself is a doddle 4 screws with nuts and knock in the two upright riser's. Total time from unpacking to putting the cardboard in the dalek less than 20 minutes.

I made a mistake when I said 2 full size seed trays there are in fact 4 individual trays, 2 of which together would be larger than a standard seed tray. I have included an engineers 12"/300mm rule in some of the pics to give an idea of size, the rule itself being 13" long from end to end.

The only downside so far is that the height adjustable hood is held in place with rubber 'O' rings. However at less than a penny each it won't be expansive to replace them should they wear.

Now for some seed planting, at long last I can stop sitting on my hands.

Colin.

[veggiechicken]

Looks good, Potty. I wondered what shape the 4 trays were. Can you put individual pots in it instead of trays?

[Bren In Pots]

It looks good and sturdy and after reading the reviews sounds like you'll soon recoup your money

[Potstubsdustbins]

VC yes the actual base tray is shown in first pic, I made a mistake and left the lighting batterns in there when I took the pici, which will lead to confusion. The tray is also waterproof so watering from the bottom should not be a problem, just pour it in the tray.

First job on returning from work tomorrow will be to find out how many of the black plastic modules I can fit in and how many 3" pots.

Colin

[Ananke]

This looks great, does the light part have adjustable heights?

[hydrogardener3]

I have grown lettuce, chard and oriental greens hydroponically indoors, for a number of years. We have not purchased lettuce, or greens, from a market since I began growing indoors. It is easy and inexpensive to do, if you build your own systems. Mine are made from restaurant bus tubs and cost me about $20 to build. If you are interested you might check my blog: