Day 190
UPDATE#26
Grower update
GrowLog
SuccessfulVera Lavender in Kratky Gallon Jugs
Grow log by ERR0R1755 · Original thread
26 visual updates27 photos70 replies
View recapCrop🌱Lavender
VarietyVera Lavender
Methodseed starting in hydroponic pods, Kratky hydroponics
Equipmentgallon jugs, grow tent
Plants3
AudienceExperimental
What you can learnShows a long, low-maintenance Kratky lavender trial with unusually slow germination, minimal refill demand, light sensitivity, and eventual root failure.
Actions:2 Nutrients2 Finished1 Pests1 Transplant
Useful practices
- delaying nutrients until seedlings emerged
- moving stronger seedlings to individual Kratky jugs
- using a measured nutrient solution
- placing jugs in a grow tent
- harvesting usable lavender despite root decline
Problems encountered
- very slow and uneven germination
- one gifted plant died
- likely from insufficient light
- no flowers during the documented period
- final plant developed black roots and dried out
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
E
I'm not sure what happened with this, but the plant started to dry out despite having nutrient solution, and I checked on the roots and they had turned black.I would consider this a success given that I was still able to harvest the lavender, but I picked up a different variety of seed and I'll find out if that one is more willing to flower.
M
Just out of curiosity, outside of the scent or tea are there other uses for lavender?
E
I know it's great for attracting pollinators in an outdoor garden, but I'm not sure of any other uses for the harvested plant. Someone else might be able to chime in.
W
Thanks for the update. I'm surprised it got that far before dying. Never knew you could do lavender in the aerogarden. Which reminds me, I need to transplant my potted lavender into the soil..
W
I have had a honey lavender ice cream from Salt & Straw which was delicious. I've seen it in baking recipes too.
Day 183
UPDATE#25
Grower update
Update #25
I'll keep it going for now then! I'll try to move it outdoors once it gets warmer.
Day 175
UPDATE#24
Grower update
Update #24
I think I'm going to end this soon. It must be a variety that flowers in the second year, and I'm not sure I can properly mimic winter in order to induce that.
Conversation
S
As far as I am concerned, it was worth growing for the interesting, attractive foliage.
S
Can you put it in a pot somewhere?
E
I could try potting it up, but I haven't had much success with hydroponic->soil transplants before, aside from things like basil that are just very hardy when it comes to transplanting.
S
Just a thought. I do not have anything with dirt in it in my home. So for me I would only try if I had a spare pot and mix then put it on the deck.
U
Is it in a gallon jug? What about putting it in something smaller until warm weather/outdoor planting?. What a shame to end it. If you were in my City I would give it a home here until I could plant it outside! I think it is worth it to continue if it is not taking up too much space or an AG. It looks as if(by the Feb 8 photo) that it is just beginning to really take off too!
Day 170
UPDATE#23
Grower update
Update #23
Conversation
S
It is really growing now!
Day 162
UPDATE#22
Grower update
Update #22
Conversation
U
I feel like I'm trying to smell the plant through the computer screen. Very pretty! Are you planing to do anything with it (tea, cooking, etc) or just enjoy the lavenderness?
E
I'm not sure yet - I do want to try imbuing the scent into something, but I do not know how I want to do that or what the best way to do that is.
Day 155
UPDATE#21
Grower update
Update #21
I find it fun to compare these pictures and see if I can spot the growth.
Conversation
S
I can see a very subtle difference but it is hard with the view as well.
Day 148
UPDATE#20
Grower update
Update #20
Day 140
UPDATE#19
Grower update
Update #19
Day 134
UPDATE#18
Grower update
Update #18
Conversation
S
I have never grown lavender. I am surprised at how similar to rosemary the leaves look.
E
Rosemary is something I definitely want to grow in the future - from what I've seen online, rosemary tends to be less compact and has woodier stems.
Day 126
UPDATE#17
Grower update
Update #17
Four months, and still no flowers nor any need to refill it. This is an interesting project.
Conversation
S
Very slow grower
W
I love lavender. Does this variety flower in its 1st year or in its 2nd? I have a lavender plant, I believe my variety doesn't flower until year 2.
E
I believe (and hope) that it flowers on the first year, but I can't seem to find anything that says it one way or another.
Day 120
UPDATE#16
Grower update
Update #16
Day 112
UPDATE#15
Grower update
Update #15
Day 105
UPDATE#14
Grower update
Update #14
Day 99
UPDATE#13
Grower update
Update #13
It sounds like the other plant I gave away died, but this one is still going strong. They both had the same nutrient solution, so I will assume the other one died from a lack of light. (awaiting photos)
Conversation
S
Or you just have the magic touch with it. Did the other person feed it like you did?
E
So far I haven't done anything with this plant, since it is still using up the initial gallon - the other one should have been the same way, but now I'm wondering if they tried to water it...
Day 91
UPDATE#12
Grower update
Update #12
Conversation
U
I bet those leaves smell wonderful!
E
They do! I can't wait for the flowers
S
I can't wait to see it flower as well.
U
When the Lav Kit came out I gave it a go in my SS6. It was placed next to the bed on the night table and it was great to brush the leaves and fall asleep to a fresh scent . But I had to brush the leaves which was disappointing . It was slow...very slow. I think people buy the kit when they see it thinking that the room will have the scent from the flowers..SURPRISE! They really should put something about that in the ad. I can think of discontinued kits that produce flowers more beautiful than the Lavender Kit. It is the deception that is keeping the sales going..obviously.(I realize your project is not from the AG kit..I'm just sayin')
Day 84
UPDATE#11
Grower update
Update #11
Slow growth.
Conversation
S
Slow but looking nice
U
Perfecto! That looks so promising now. Imagine a whole deck with perfect ones like that?!
S
It looks so healthy. Worth waiting for!
Day 77
UPDATE#10
Grower update
Update #10
Actions taken
FinishedGave one Kratky lavender plant to a friend.
I gave away a plant to a friend (since all they have to do is sit the jug somewhere where it will get sunlight), so I have just one now.
Day 71
UPDATE#9
Grower update
Update #9
Conversation
S
Looks good.
Day 61
UPDATE#8
Grower update
Update #8
Actions taken
TransplantMoved the two stronger seedlings into separate gallon Kratky jugs.
NutrientsFilled each jug with bleach, CALiMAGic, AeroGarden nutrients, and MaxiGro.
FinishedPlaced the Kratky jugs inside the grow tent.
I've decided to move the better two into gallon jugs, Kratky-style. Each jug contains a gallon of water, 8 drops of bleach, 1ml of CALiMAGic, 4ml of AG nutes, and 1/2 tsp of MaxiGro.I've placed the jugs into my grow tent.
Conversation
S
Bleach? Eeeeek!
E
If you saw the roots on these, you would agree :c(this amount of bleach is less PPM than what your average city water has, and it evaporates quickly anyway)I would probably avoid it for anything I planned on eating (other than as a last resort to save the plant), but for a decorative/scent plant like lavender, I don't mind using it. Apparently commercial hydroponic setups tend to run trace amounts of bleach/chlorine as well?
Day 56
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
Actions taken
PestsAdded four drops of bleach to the hydroponic solution.
Added 4 drops of bleach.
Conversation
U
but I love the lavender. Can you smell the fragrance when you pinch those leaves ? I love that aroma! The downfall in growing Lav in the AG is that in order to smell the fragrance one has to brush the leaves or the flowers to get it. It doesn't diffuse. I suppose one could make some kind of dried leaves sachet for a drawer or an oil diffuser mixture, though which would be nice..a lot of work, but nice.
E
I really like the smell of lavender, but I think I'm going to grow it in soil from now on. It just takes too long to germinate.
U
I agree...it is very slow. One alternative, though is to toss the seeds in sponges and let them germinate and grow a bit in a cup or jar until ready to plant the sponges in the machine.(but you know that)
Day 50
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
Conversation
S
All three are coming up!
E
I'm sure they'll pull through, but the pods look nasty from the algae and everything else growing on them. I don't think I'll grow lavender in an AG again, just for that reason.Added 4ml of nutes.
Day 43
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
The third seedling has sprouted! It only took six weeks...
Conversation
S
I know my Rosemary took that long. Glad it decided to join the party
U
A ton of patience! I admire that gift.
E
I was going to toss the other two pods when the first one germinated, but I was lazy and didn't get around to it. Sometimes a demerit can be a virtue
U
I have some snaps waiting to germinate. So far it has been a mere 14 days and I am just out of patience already. But I will hang on until 20.
E
If you decide to write them off and don't need to immediately reuse the plastic pods, you can move them to a small cup/glass/bowl of water and let them germinate in there.
U
Thanks, Error
Day 35
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
A second seedling sprouted!
Day 30
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
Actions taken
NutrientsAdded 1.5 ml of nutrients as the first feeding.
Added 1.5ml of nutrients. (first nutrients, forgot to add them earlier)
Day 25
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
I was going to give up on these, but one seedling has germinated!
Conversation
S
It did take a while. I hope the others follow.
S
Following
W
Neat, I have never seen a lavender seedling before.
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
These seeds are from MIgardener. Roughly five seeds per pod, no nutes added yet.