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Successful

Rainbow Swiss Chard with Repeated Outer-Leaf Harvests

Grow log by Sher · Original thread

11 visual updates12 photos28 replies
View recap
CropSwiss chard
VarietyRainbow Swiss Chard
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden Bounty
Plants-
AudienceBeginners

What you can learnA strong cut-and-come-again Swiss chard example showing germination repair, pest protection, outer-leaf harvesting, and rapid complete regrowth.

Actions:1 Planting1 Transplant1 Pests1 Solution1 Harvest
Useful practices
  • soaking seed for about thirty-six hours
  • transplanting duplicate seedlings into failed pods
  • dusting plants with diatomaceous earth
  • reservoir rinse-and-refill
  • harvesting large outer leaves while retaining the centre for regrowth
Problems encountered
  • three pods failed to germinate
  • household insect infestation
  • spindly growth in the AeroGarden

*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.

Day 65
UPDATE#11
Grower update

Update #11

S By Sher

This is the last picture I will post of this chard, since they are all starting to look the same. Chard really is the gift that keeps on giving. A few days after cutting off the outer leaves, leaving only 2 or 3 small center leaves, it has all grown back.
Conversation
C
campingcorgis

Very cool and thank you for sharing!

S
Shawn

Eye popping colors

Day 50
UPDATE#10
Grower update

Update #10

S By Sher

The chard bounded back as good as new after the first harvest.
Conversation
S
Shawn

Yes! Very pretty!!!!

Day 42
UPDATE#9
Grower update

Update #9

Actions taken

SolutionChanged the reservoir solution.
HarvestRemoved all large outer leaves while retaining the centres.

S By Sher

I did an R&R today and harvested all the large outer leaves. I am hoping the little stripped plants will come back strong. I LOVE the colored roots! If I had gotten orange and gold in this planting, I would have had those color roots, too!
Conversation
C
campingcorgis

Would be a show stopper in one of those "edible bouquets!" Very pretty.

Day 40
UPDATE#8
Grower update

Update #8

S By Sher

I am beginning to think that my Swiss chard is prettier than most of my houseplants!
Conversation
E
ERR0R1755

When I grew swiss chard before, I didn't care much for the taste but I wanted to grow it again just as an ornamental plant

S
Shawn

Gorgeous color

Day 34
UPDATE#7
Grower update

Update #7

S By Sher

Apparently, the Swiss Chard is going to stay spindly in the Aerogarden. I will harvest some leaves and see what happens. It is worth growing for the bright, happy colors.
Conversation
S
Shawn

These are very vibrant!

Day 25
UPDATE#6
Grower update

Update #6

S By Sher

These colors! I didn't get any bright yellow in this batch, but the burgandy and flaming orange make up for it!
Conversation
S
Shawn

They ARE bright!

U
Unknown

Looks tasty!

S
Sher

If I grew as much as Ron and I like to eat, it would be growing in every room! Fortunately spring is coming and I can grow more outdoors.

Day 21
UPDATE#5
Grower update

Update #5

Actions taken

PestsProtected the chard during a household infestation with diatomaceous earth.

S By Sher

So far, the grow tent, the AG chard and purslane have escaped being destroyed by my bug infestation. Here's a picture of the chard's progress -- generously dusted with diatomaceous earth.
Day 13
UPDATE#4
Grower update

Update #4

S By Sher

I love Swiss Chard. It is so much fun to watch develop!
Conversation
S
Shawn

I enjoy watching the colors

Day 7
UPDATE#3
Grower update

Update #3

S By Sher

All of the pods are finally growing now!
Conversation
S
Shawn

I love seeing the colors in the stems

S
Sher

And in the roots, too. It looks so weird!

S
Shawn

I never thought of the root. Cool

S
Sher

I'll take pictures for you when they get bigger.

Day 4
UPDATE#2
Grower update

Update #2

Actions taken

TransplantMoved extra seedlings from successful pods into three empty positions.

S By Sher

Three of the pods did not germinate. So I took the extras from other pods and transplanted them into the empty pods. Some are too large to put the covers on, so I hope they make it. I still have one pod with 2 plants in it in case I need to use it for a replacement.
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update

Update #1

Actions taken

PlantingSoaked the seed for about thirty-six hours before planting.

S By Sher

I thought I had a thread going on my Aerogarden Swiss Chard. Apparently not. Anyway, it's on its way. I am having better germination with this batch than I have in the past. I soaked the seeds for about 36 hours before planting. I don't remember the seed vendor. Probably Baker Creek.
Conversation
S
Shawn

Can I see some coloring in the stems?

S
Sher

Yes. Aren't they cute?

S
Shawn

Yes they are

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