Day 34
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
These had a growth spurt. As soon as the weather cooled a tad these decided to grow.
GrowLog
UnknownLettuce and Spinach Germination Trial
Grow log by Shawn · Original thread
4 visual updates4 photos10 replies
View recapCrop🥬Lettuce, spinach
VarietyRuby Gem lettuce, Sweetie Baby lettuce, White Parris lettuce, Cimmeron lettuce
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics, AeroGarden germination-pod trial
EquipmentAeroGarden Farm Basic, germination pod
Plants-
AudienceExperimental
What you can learnA concise mixed germination trial documenting repeated spinach failure, partial lettuce success, and the limits of a dedicated germination pod.
Actions:1 Planting
Useful practices
- testing difficult spinach seeds in a separate germination pod
- waiting before restarting around the two surviving lettuce plants
- trying paper-towel germination for a future spinach attempt
Problems encountered
- spinach failed in both standard pods and the germination pod
- germination-pod seeds became spoiled
- White Parris and Cimmeron lettuce failed
- surviving lettuce grew slowly
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Day 28
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
Here are the two lettuce I have. These are so slow...
Day 15
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Not archivedOpen original URL
The spinach was a complete bust. They did not germinate at least as of yet. I will give them another week or so. The ones in my germination pod got yucky. These seeds are like pebbles and hard to break thru. As for the lettuce, white parris and cimmeron are a no go. Never germinated but the other two are doing well! I need to rethink this garden once the two have grown and I feed off them.
Conversation
A
I've heard spinach can be fussy to get to germinate, though I don't have experience with that myself. I saw the Aerogarden Experiments fellow had some luck soaking them for 48 hours and then doing the paper towel method.
L
The paper towel method didn't work for me, but spinach germinated in my Sprout seed starter. It didn't grow well in the Sprout--probably because there wasn't enough light from a 20w bulb.Spinach grew very slowly in one of my AGs (a Bounty or Farm). This was in contrast to Swiss Chard, which grew to a size like retail offerings in a Farm Plus. So I've decided to stick to chard for the time being, if I want dark leafy greens!
S
So I only have the two lettuce pods The remainder of the lettuce ad the spinach never grew. I am waiting for these two pods to grow before I restart anything. I want to try germinating the spinach in a paper towel first. We shall see what happens.
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Actions taken
PlantingPlanted lettuce and spinach in the Farm Basic and placed additional spinach seeds in a germination pod.
Finally, I am getting these in the machine. Planted in the right side of my Farm Basic. No nutes to start. I am hoping the spinach produces. I know spinach is hard but I read these should grow. Time will tell. I am also using my germination pod (not listed in my diagram) to see if I can germinate some spinach in that. Here is the Germination Pod
Conversation
L
I'll be interested to see whether the germination pod works!
S
Me, too!
S
If it does work or not, I may try it with cilantro and maybe even peas or beans.
S
So far the Ruby Gem, Sweetie Baby and White Parris have life as far as lettuce go.The two Spinach in pods I can not see anything yet. HOWEVER, I placed two of each seed in the Germination Pod. Looking closely at it it appears that at least one seed has a tiny root coming out. Once I can get a clear picture I will.