Harvest Your Kratky Plants
Lesson 11 of 14
Harvest is the reward for the whole course. Here is how to pick at the right time and get the container ready to go again.
Lettuce
Lettuce is usually ready 30 to 45 days after planting (UC ANR). Check the days to maturity on your seed packet too.
- Pick leaves as you go: take the outer leaves once they are big enough to eat and let the center keep growing.
- Harvest the whole plant: cut it at the base once it reaches the size you want, or when the solution is nearly used up.
- Do not wait too long: when lettuce starts to stretch upward and taste bitter, it is getting ready to flower. Harvest it then.
Basil
Pinch or cut the top of each stem just above a pair of leaves. The plant branches at that point and becomes bushier. Remove flower buds as they appear to keep leaves coming.
Cilantro
Cut the outer stems first and let the center keep growing. Cilantro flowers quickly in warm conditions, so harvest steadily rather than saving it.
After harvest
- Pour out any remaining solution. Many growers use it to water outdoor plants.
- Remove the roots and medium from the net cup.
- Wash the container, lid and net cup with warm soapy water and rinse well.
- Let everything dry before you reuse it.
Your task for this lesson
Write down how many days it took from transplant to harvest and how much the level dropped. That tells you whether your next container should be bigger.
Related Articles
Sources
- UC Master Gardeners of Orange County, UC ANR. Kratky Hydroponics: Soil-Free Growing Method.