 | < Pale bok choi in the hoophouse vs. vibrant plants inside > (Indoor plants recently harvested around the outside edges) |  |
In an earlier post, I compared the growth of lettuce and bok choi between my indoor aquaponics systems and my outdoor hoophouse. In early spring, the plants in the aquaponics grow beds were winning. Now, the plants in the hoophouse are showing nicer growth for lettuce. It makes sense. Once the days get longer, you get a lovely diffused, all-around light in the hoophouse. It's like placing a soft box over your camera flash, beautiful soft light from every direction. And, with a bit of chill at night and early-morning mist, lettuce could not be happier.
In comparison, the plants indoors have directional, overhead lighting from fluorescent and halogen lamps. And, the temperature does not fluctuate much. I can't mist the plants inside without the danger of causing damage to the yellow halogen bulb. It's too expensive to risk shattering it. Oh, and the indoor lettuce was decimated by aphids. Bugs in my house? Ick! I was not expecting that at all. Luckily, the aphids only liked the lettuce and stayed off everything else. I am very grateful for whatever creature is eating aphids out in my hoophouse.
When it comes to the bok choi, the plants in the hoophouse are growing faster. But, the plants inside are a lovely deep green = more nutritious. I have slugs tasting my bok choi outside too. So, the aquaponics system under grow lights wins for bok choi.
The tomatoes and peppers seem to love being inside. I am also starting some new plants (parsley, basil, summer squash and butternut squash) in Jiffy-brand peat refills stuck into net baskets full of hydroton.
In comparison, the plants indoors have directional, overhead lighting from fluorescent and halogen lamps. And, the temperature does not fluctuate much. I can't mist the plants inside without the danger of causing damage to the yellow halogen bulb. It's too expensive to risk shattering it. Oh, and the indoor lettuce was decimated by aphids. Bugs in my house? Ick! I was not expecting that at all. Luckily, the aphids only liked the lettuce and stayed off everything else. I am very grateful for whatever creature is eating aphids out in my hoophouse.
When it comes to the bok choi, the plants in the hoophouse are growing faster. But, the plants inside are a lovely deep green = more nutritious. I have slugs tasting my bok choi outside too. So, the aquaponics system under grow lights wins for bok choi.
The tomatoes and peppers seem to love being inside. I am also starting some new plants (parsley, basil, summer squash and butternut squash) in Jiffy-brand peat refills stuck into net baskets full of hydroton.
The color on these red romaine and leaf lettuces is just outstanding. I've already been harvesting off the edges of these. Compare the sad, aphid-destroyed lettuce that I brought from inside and planted in the middle of the pot today. It still has great roots so I have hope. Lettuce is fairly indestructible. I'm sure it's considered a weed somewhere.
The center of the pot originally had a Chinese cabbage growing there when the surrounding lettuce were small. The cabbage has since been harvested. This is my version of crop rotation. Or, should I call it succession planting? At any rate, I let smaller plants grow in the protective shadow of larger ones. When the large ones are grown out and starting to bolt, I harvest them and replace with a small plant or seeds. By then, the smaller plants nearby are large enough to protect the new ones.
(p.s. That is last year's chocolate mint sneaking up behind the pot. It somehow rooted itself under the flooring of the hoophouse and it is breaking through. Gotta love happy, hardy plants.)
The center of the pot originally had a Chinese cabbage growing there when the surrounding lettuce were small. The cabbage has since been harvested. This is my version of crop rotation. Or, should I call it succession planting? At any rate, I let smaller plants grow in the protective shadow of larger ones. When the large ones are grown out and starting to bolt, I harvest them and replace with a small plant or seeds. By then, the smaller plants nearby are large enough to protect the new ones.
(p.s. That is last year's chocolate mint sneaking up behind the pot. It somehow rooted itself under the flooring of the hoophouse and it is breaking through. Gotta love happy, hardy plants.)
Here's another comparison, at no extra charge. The romaine on the left was grown from seed started in a Jiffy peat refill plug and then transplanted outside once a healthy seedling. I've been harvesting off both the tops and sides and it just keeps on busting forth. I take a pair of scissors and give it a cut across the top, like trimming grass. This is a testament to the power of growing plants from seed. The plants to the right came from a nursery. The lettuces have a nice color but not the same vigorous growth. The chard will take over in short order as it loves the Pacific Northwest. Slugs have been attacking the poor broccoli and cauliflower. I have a feeling I'll just be feeding those plants to the rabbits instead of getting a harvest.
(Note to self: take the time to weed the hoophouse before taking pictures to show the world. Sigh.)
Oh, and it's pouring rain outside but the soil in my pots is dry as a bone. Turning on the sprinkler now. That's the only downside of growing inside a hoophouse -- no free water.
(Note to self: take the time to weed the hoophouse before taking pictures to show the world. Sigh.)
Oh, and it's pouring rain outside but the soil in my pots is dry as a bone. Turning on the sprinkler now. That's the only downside of growing inside a hoophouse -- no free water.
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