10 Answers

Appropriate spacing for a DWC lettuce setup

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Posted In: DWC Deep Water Culture Jan 20,2020
10 Answers
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Posted In: DWC Deep Water Culture Jan 20,2020

Appropriate spacing for a DWC lettuce setup

Is this spacing appropriate for a DWC (maybe a DWC) lettuce setup? I'm using 2" pots and packing them about 9 per sqft. My outdoor square foot garden did 12 per sqft, but I figured I'd give a bit more room since this will likely be grown under lamps so the lighting is less favorable.

I've got 2 cheap 10" air stones inside and a variable air pump that advertises being good for up to an 80 gallon tank (I figured I could dial it down for lower wear/noise).

I have an old pond pump too, so I may shift to recirculating later, if for no reason other than benefitting from a larger overall reservoir volume. (The container is going to get painted to block light. The other cups are still printing, so add 5 more under the same spacing.)

appropriate spacing for DWC

lettuce
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Brian Dunning
Brian Dunning

I'm always having to watch out for catching these roots cause they are too close to the edge

appropriate spacing for DWC

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Tony Christianson
Tony Christianson

This is 6 plants per 10 gallon tote. Spacing was 8" center to center. I'm only using 3 or 4 next time or potentially harvesting super early.

appropriate spacing for DWC

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Joshua Vella
Joshua Vella

Seems like good spacing for plants like rocket and basil and that. But depending on what variety of lettuce you grow you may just have to put a plant in every second hole.

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John M. Jastrzebski
John M. Jastrzebski

Consider using an opaque container. The light will go right through that and cause algae.

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    • Kyle Baker

      I am painting it in order to block light.

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Nicole Perez
Nicole Perez

I’m a fan of closer spacing than not so you have options as you grow in your hobby. You can also repurpose their container to grow smaller plants, or you can just skip some holes for a few really large plants. Just remember to cover the holes not in use. Foam sheets like from the craft store are great for cutting into circles and covering holes. Normally I have five inches between holes, you’re only a little bit closer than that, you’ll be fine. Go with it, enjoy the experience, apply any lessons learned. Have fun!

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Dean Hatch
Dean Hatch

I have tried all kinds of spacing, and settled on 8” center to center.

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Andrew Holding
Andrew Holding

I have the same size container, and I made the lid so I could grow 8 plants. After the second grow of the plants being too close for my liking, I have been covering the two center holes and just growing 6 with three and three around the edges. I have been growing cut and come again lettuce mix. One of the plants in the mix is Amish Deer Tongue, and it seems to grow a bit more compact. I feel like I would be able to get 8 of those plants on the bed. So it depends, try it and see, but give yourself room to adjust. Also, the plants will grow bigger faster than in the soil, so take that into account.

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Bradley Leyten
Bradley Leyten

Put them as close as you want. You don't have to put a plant in every hole if you don't want. If you're growing a plant that gets large leave the pots next to it empty.

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Davina Theresa Simpson
Davina Theresa Simpson

I am personally not a fan of over-crowding - having done it, then deciding it was probably not the greatest idea.
Follow similar spacing as recommended for ground planting. Give them all a chance to grow as naturally as possible, without competing for space

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    • Davina Theresa Simpson

      For that container lid, I might probably go with four on the outside (going across the indented part) but maybe a row of 3 in the middle. Still quite close, but might be ok. Should just give them that little extra room

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Brian Dunning
Brian Dunning

Guess my question is, what are you gonna grow in that tote? Unless I missed that answer somewhere already. Cause some lettuce can get to 12" diameter and you may get into crowding. I have 2 miniature tomatoes in one, 14" tote and they just about push each other over. That and they will be sucking up the water quick for more than 4 or 6 plants so lifting a lid to check and top off water may get heavy or pinch roots as you open and close. Gonna be a good grow tho I'm sure. Best of luck.

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