Hydroponic leaf lettuce (very limp)

[Icefisher]

Hello all, I am still trying to find my way around the Tomatoville forum, and am not sure if this is the best place to ask this question.

My first attempt at hydroponics started with leaf lettuce, and kale. The leaf lettuce types were "red velvet" and "Boston bibb". Everything grew like crazy and I am pleased with the growing results thus far.

The biggest question I have is there anyway to crisp up the leaf lettuce? The lettuce has very large healthy leaves, but they are very limp. I was hoping to get a little crunch something like iceberg, but, that is not the case. Has anyone else experienced this? Is there any combination of nutrient, watering, and or lighting that would improve on the texture of the lettuce?

Thanks Icefisher

[mdvpc]

Ice-I have grown hydro lettuces for years. You are not going to be able to, in my opinion, turn these types of lettuces into icebergs. The closest you might get is to grow some Romaines, and grow them to full maturity. Mine have never been limp, so am wondering whether your plants are stressed. What sort of system are you using? How often are you watering (as in flood and drain, etc)?

[Father'sDaughter]

I don't know about Red Velvet, but Boston Bibb is often available in local grocery stores. It's a naturally a very soft lettuce.

[KarenO]

Washed and chilled your lettuce will be crisper compared to in a warm area provided it is not wilted
KarenO

[joseph]

Growing in lower humidity will make the leaves tougher...

(Greens I grow in a greenhouse are much more watery than greens I grow outdoors)

[Icefisher]

Hello all and thanks for your response! Michael, you suggested that the lettuce may be stressed. I suppose that's possible, but it looks so healthy and full of life! I am doing an ebb and flow system watering every 2 hours during the 12 hour lights on cycle. I am maintaining a nitrogen level at about 140 ppm. Unless there's some combination of growing parameters I am overlooking, I am ready to succumb to the fact that leaf lettuce is always going to be limp! I am in the process of starting a bunch of romaine as some have suggested.

Icefisher

[Old chef]

Icefisher
It is also very important to harvest first thing in the am. Cut and set into cold water to wash.
Old Chef

[bughunter99]

Not all lettuce varieties are genetically predisposed to be "crisp". If that is a desireable characteristic try and select seeds that are known for that trait. Cherokee is a red leaf variety that is know for its crispness for example. Red Velvet is not particularly crisp when compared to others. That said you can make any lettuce more crisp after harvest by giving it a 15 minute bath in ice water.

http://tatianastomatobase.com/wiki/C..._%28Lettuce%29

Stacy

[mdvpc]

Ice-I think you are watering too much. I flood and drain 4 times a day-8am, noon, 4pm and 8pm. Lights out at 10pm, on at 6am. The suggestion to cut in the a.m. first thing is a good one, but I think that depends on how warm your grow room gets during the day.

[peebee]

I grow many varieties of lettuce every winter here and whenever I feel I need more crunch, I add iceberg to the mix (store-bought as this does not grow well here in my zone) or at the very least, some romaine type I am growing that is crispier than the loose leaf or butter types. My salads are always a colorful mix of lettuces and I find that the more mature they are, the crisper they get after washing, spinning, and drying out before cooling in the fridge. I always tell people I give lettuce to, to not expect the iceberg effect and to add it at their own preference. Some tell me they even like the soft lettuce better. So sometimes I eat it as is, sometimes I crunch it up.

[Yentlsil]

Lettuce can be grown directly in water (f.e. floating netcups), so you're not overwatering, watertemperature is also important, too hot + not good.
Batavia is a more firm lettuce I grow in my pond...
grts

[ddsack]

I agree with trying Batavia lettuces for more crisp leaves. I like both Nevada and Sierra varieties. Also there is a looser head lettuce called Summertime that is crisp and not hard to grow. But my experience is growing in the ground.