Ideal for lighting a defined area such as a flat or many small pots. The roots that are above the waterline become air roots that supply oxygen to the plant. @BRM if you use 80 watt compact fluorescent light (CFL) you don't need a ballast just plug it in normal fitting. All hydroponic lighting systems have four main parts: the bulb, reflector hood, remote ballast, and timer. Approximately 80-100k will be adequate. The cheapest way to do it is wire your own panel using keyless lamp holders and bulk buying the CFL's. Congrats! Fill the container with water and add a nutrient solution according to the package instructions. Another tray or container should hold your lettuce and water. Two pounds of fertilizer is enough to make 128 gallons of nutrient solution. During the day, lettuce seeds require an average of 18 hours of light and six hours of darkness to grow properly. Keep the room temperature between 55 Fahrenheit at night and 75 Fahrenheit during the day, as lettuce needs to grow in a cooler environment, although this may be surpassed taking the right compensatory actions. There isnt anything tricky or fancy about growing lettuce, and you can get started with almost no experience and very little money. Whats the best lettuce to grow hydroponically? no need to take much care, anyone . Source: Rural Living Lettuce requires roughly 10-12 hours of light per day. You can use perlite too or even gravel as long as it is clean but hydroton or growstones work best. Lettuce plants grown in hydroponics are fast and easy to maintain. A head of lettuce will keep producing under these conditions for many weeks until it ultimately starts to bolt. 650 to 700nm is Red and used for flowering and fruit ripping, yes? . Some types may be better than others, or more efficient. The right measure would be lumens, or PAR and I tried with 2x 900 lumens and that wasn't enough either. Theres no question that various varieties of lettuce are excellent choices for hydroponic growers. . Arguably perfect for lettuce. Moderately low temperatures at night of around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit are great for lettuce. Thanks to products like Lettuce Grow's Farmstand, even those without a lot of outdoor space can easily and conveniently grow produce at home. With a sweet yet nutty flavor and a buttery, soft texture, oak leaf lettuce is always a favorite. Some growers use a piece of floating Styrofoam cut to fit inside their tote. To start growing hydroponic lettuce indoors you will need to build a simple Kratky system. They grow fast, produce well, and have a small footprint in your grow space. Why are Suriname, Belize, and Guinea-Bissau classified as "Small Island Developing States"? It is also more sustainable, using less water, no soil, and no chemical pesticides. The best way to provide this light is through fluorescent grow lights, which are ideal especially when you are first starting your lettuce garden. You can determine the power of light using a PAR meter or the manufacturers recommendations. You can also severely cut down on the amount of light (and electrcity) you need to use, by putting highly reflective material around the lights, so it bounces back on the plants. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. I found some for only 6 USD in my local store here in Berlin. How long does lettuce take to grow hydroponically? The adequate light duration for lettuce is about 10 to 12 hours. Lettuce, for example, prefers a range high in blue light. And fluorescent light works best as it is of a reasonable cost, especially if you are a beginner and are only trying out. 4. Hydroponic strawberries need at least 8 - 12 hours of direct sunlight daily. Smart Hydroponic Growing System for Indoor Garden,32",7L Hydroponic Garden Kit with LED Grow Light. Consider the size of the area you want to cover with the grow light and choose a light that can do this. In general, your NPK levels should be as follows: Nitrogen: keep the nitrogen level at approximately 5. Start them in starter plugs like Root Riots or in Jiffy pellets That way you wont have to wash off the dirt like you do with store bought transplants. Use 1, 23W CFL (100W equalivant), 6500K bulb per plant. On the other hand, they may become stressed or burnt if they receive too much light. How much light does lettuce really need? Hydroponic lettuce may taste different based on the nutrients you provide it, the temperature, and several other factors, but in general, hydroponic lettuce and lettuce grown in soil taste the same. According to my experience, 5-15 klux is ok for lettuce (I use Lux Light Meter app on my smartphone). The roots in the water are feeder roots. The ballast is a power box that powers the light. If you arent controlling the temperature that your lettuce is grown in, you need to work with the sun or accept the occasional bitter head of lettuce. Depending on your setup and bulb type, you may need to reduce the amount of light you give your plants. Place the lights about 10-20 cm from the plants (only do this with fluo or LED lights, not Metal Halide or HPS bulbs). If you have the technical ability to rotate the system, you should do it. Hydroponic Lettuce Nutrient Requirements If you use fluorescent tube or CFL lights, I have used both, you should aim for about 1500-2000+ lumens per square ft. with a Kelvin rating of 6500K. Because of this, it is grown by the masses which makes it more susceptible to recall and contamination. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Most hydroponic lettuces do best at a pH between 5.5 and 6.0. Lettuce is the perfect first plant for hydroponic newbies beginners. Plugs are really better but use what you have. It is just the right grow light match for your lettuce plant.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_5',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',138,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-138{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Normally you fill the container at the start and when the water runs out the grow is done. But I like to cut holes in the lid of my tote instead. It is essential to choose an energy-efficient light to save on electricity costs. They include wheat, lettuce, potatoes, spinach, and turnips. To be most effective, each light should be a specific distance from the plants: Fluorescent lights should be 3 to 12 inches above the tops of the plants; HID s, 24 to 60 inches; and LED s, 12 to 24 inches. An electronic timer is especially necessary if you are growing a variety of different plants. Outdoors, the lettuce can be placed in a sunny spot in the garden or on a patio. Normally you fill your Kratky system once at the start and just let the level go down naturally. Are you thinking about growing hydroponic lettuce indoors? Your tomatoes should get at least 12-18 hours of light daily. For flowering/fruiting plants, I would actually recommend using more than one color temperature (like a 2500k one and a 5000-7000k one, if not more than two). Nearly any type of lettuce can grow well in a hydroponic environment, but some of the most popular varieties are romaine, red and green oak leaf, and butterleaf. Examples include rice, eggplant, roses, and corn. Indoor growers usually wont have temperature problems. How much light do hydroponics strawberries need? An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This brings our total to 330 kWh = 1.2 GJ = 1,200 MJ of primary energy required to produce 1 kg of lettuce. Harvest can be incredibly simple if youre not concerned about regrowing your lettuce from the same root system. Do new devs get fired if they can't solve a certain bug? Even at that, certain care is still needed for their growing requirements and light is one of these requirements. For most leafy greens use a red:blue ratio of 5:2, this will be sufficient to promote good growth. Besides those blanched heads have very little nutritional value. Monitor the pH and temperature of the solution and adjust as needed. Tip burn is caused by a calcium deficiency. This will have the right balance of macro and micronutrients for lettuce and doesnt require any special knowledge of fertilizers. Growing lettuce hydroponically is of great benefits and you can grow any variety of lettuce in your hydroponics system. When the plants are germinating from seed (until they get their first true leaf, most often the third one), I run the lights about 6 hours per day. "High humidity favors powdery mildew and Botrytis," he said. It is cheap and easy to set up. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. If you buy plants from a garden store you can save several weeks of time. At the same time, hydroponic lettuce systems can be scaled and monetized incredibly well. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. If you feel that your plants are growing too slowly, you can up the lighting. During summer, lettuce does not grow that fast, but it does grow.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_1',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-medrectangle-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',106,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-medrectangle-4-0_1');.medrectangle-4-multi-106{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}, Lettuce does not require much light. DLI is calculated by measuring the photosynthetic photon flux density, which is how much light within the wavelength that plants need. You should really have a TDS meter and pH pen to measure your nutrient solution. Why does Mister Mxyzptlk need to have a weakness in the comics? Make sure to provide the lettuce plants with about 10 to 14 hours of fluorescent lighting every day. Make sure to put your container in a place that gets a good amount of sunlight. Red and green varieties are frequent hydroponic favorites and quite attractive on a plate or sandwich. For outdoor hydroponic systems, this is a concern. Its a good source of vitamin K, essential for bone strength. This can cause your plants to become spindly and leggy. . Hydroponic lettuce may taste different based on the nutrients you provide it, the temperature, and several other factors, but in general, For new growers, the easiest and most effective option is to get a, premade dry mix of nutrients specially designed for lettuce. Even with all the answers, there doesn't appear to be a mention of recommended lux/lumen for lettuce. I give my lettuce 10-12 hours of light from a LED grow light. You dont need to make any modifications to your Kratky. What sort of strategies would a medieval military use against a fantasy giant? Lettuce can be fed at about 600 ppms and a pH around 6. If we talk about the natural sunlight, it will be enough for the herb to spend 6 hours in the sun. You can just set up a simple Kratky lettuce grow or you can adopt some of my modifications if you want something a bit more complicated. Because hydroponic veggies never touch the soil, they arent at risk for these pests and contaminants. That is it! Blue Light Spectrum, the wavelength of light here, is between 400 and 500 nm. They can be grown all year round in a controlled environment. Bolting just means that growth in the lettuce quickly shifts from leaf growth to flower and seed growth. They produce fruit no matter the level of light exposure. How many hours of light does hydroponic lettuce need? Preparing a Vegetable Garden Site. You can use starter plugs like Root Riots too. A great tip for beginners is to rotate the plants. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',114,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-large-leaderboard-2-0_1');.large-leaderboard-2-multi-114{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Continue with Recommended Cookies. The main types of hydroponic systems are the DWC, drip irrigation, ebb and flow, Kratky method, NFT, and the wick system. Ensure your plants get plenty of calcium to ward off burned or wilted leaves. It is there to support the plants and block light coming through into the reservoir. Mix well. Lettuce takes about 4 to 6 weeks to grow. Allow for at least 14 to 16 hours of artificial light, followed by 10 to 12 hours of darkness every day for annuals. Hydroponic lettuce growing with indoor lighting. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. While it would initially appear you want more blue light, that is not how photosynthesis works when you get down to the nuts and bolts. They also get some window light. Which most regular vendors also do not know. How Much Light Is Needed for Hydroponic Lettuce? But you cant plant them the way they are. Read our. The most common types of bulbs are LED, fluorescent, metal halide (MH), and high-pressure sodium (HPS). This blue light influences chlorophyll production, and only tiny quantities are required compared to red light. Financially though, you are better off using a high volume manufactured light (common bulbs) that is producing a lot of light you don't really need, but is producing a small percentage of the light you actually do need. Growertoday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Masterblend Complete Combo Kit Fertilizer. Fourteen to 16 hours of sunlight is ideal. That way you can harvest and replace plants periodically. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. So I guess it is in a class of its own. Grow these until the seedlings are 2 inches (5 cm) tall and have about 4 leaves. This means you can store it various ways without worrying about it going bad. Grow lights can be energy-intensive. They grow fine. Ideally, hydroponic tomatoes should receive eight hours of natural light a day or closer to sixteen hours of artificial light (since it won't be as intense). Recently transplanted butterhead seedlings in our R&D vertical greenhouse. How much lightning is needed for water spinach and celery? Cost of electricity per day: $31.80 Commercial price and $38.52 per day for a private residence An average hydroponic farm profit margin of 12 basil and 12 lettuce during a 3.6-week harvest cycle is $10,482. So its not simple thing pop a couple bulbs out throw a lumen number at them and say ok plants will grow, yes maybe they will grow but not at the best or optimum for the plant. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others. Bought 11 right away. You can use a pH test kit. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This package includes a 4-18-38 Tomato and Vegetable Formula, 15.5-0-0 calcium nitrate fertilizer, and Epsom salt. Anything else lettuce might grow but it will be elongated and not form proper lettuce heads. When grown outdoors, lettuce tastes best during the spring and fall. Acidity of alcohols and basicity of amines, Full text of the 'Sri Mahalakshmi Dhyanam & Stotram'. Measure twice, cut once. I recommend using hydroponic nutrients to feed your lettuce plants. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Lettuce, for example, prefers a range high in blue light. If it isnt cover it or paint it black. By mixing one part Tomato and Vegetable Formula, one part calcium nitrate, and one-half part Epsom salt with pure water, you get a hydroponic fertilizer concentrate that can be diluted and make an incredible nutrient solution. Christina D'Anna is a gardening expert and freelance writer who contributed content to The Spruce in 2013. With food prices rising across the country, more people are interested in growing their own healthy groceries and fresh harvests at home. Hydroponic lettuce can last two to four weeks if harvested with the roots intact. So be assured of ready available nutritious leafy green at your disposal. The adequate light duration for lettuce is about 10 to 12 hours. Once they sprout you can thin them out or leave them until they get a bit bigger for an early salad. Most lettuces thrive in cooler weather and typically grow outdoors in the cooler months of the spring or autumn. Hydroponic Lettuce Light Requirements. No matter where you are in your hydroponic journey, lettuce could be the right vegetable for you. I'm guessing since Merlot lettuce is dark red, it would prefer a higher color temperature even more than regular lettuce, since lower color temperatures have more red, and the lettuce would reflect more red (rather than absorb it), because it is red. Also a T5 is not by any means overkill. Using indicator constraint with two variables. For more advanced growers, the best option is to make a dry fertilizer mix yourself. This pH range is acidic enough to reduce the activities of algae and at this pH range, plants can absorb nutrients adequately for their growth. This page might be helpful under the heading: How much light should plants receive? Boosting the nitrogen levels in your nutrient solution can fix the problem. But eventually, over time the plant will go to seed or become bitter. The Kratky method uses no pumps or airstones. An electric timer allows you to take care of this hassle-free and change it according to your needs as your garden evolves. A good hydroponic fertilizer for lettuce that is super easy to use is this lettuce hydroponic mix. One reason hydroponic lettuce is such a popular option is that most varieties grow quickly and can be harvested more than once. Is there a proper earth ground point in this switch box? The short-day cycle mimics natures environment for plants that flower in the spring. Read more about Hydroponic Nutrients & Fertilizers. Leafy greens, and lettuce especially, are perfectly suited for hydroponic systems. To learn more, read our guide to hydroponic romaine lettuce. It is based on the level of light that we can perceive. Put a few seeds in each planter. I would recommend using House And Garden Aqua Flakes because it is easy to calibrate without a meter. The amount and strength of this light determine the taste of your lettuce leaf. This isn't really an answer, but have you considered running small-scale experiments? You will need to decide how many pots you want and trace them out. They must be heavy-duty and grounded (three-pronged plug) but can be either manual or electric. For instance, the Kratky method and the wick system are passive and require no pumps or energy to work, while others ensure proper oxygenation and lower the risk of root rot. Check the nutrient solution regularly and add more as needed. In this case, the solution is to turn down the thermostat or give your plants some space by changing the height of your grow lights. Set the timer to control the frequency and duration of the water pump. Next, a lack of water will cause bitterness. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. How many hours of light does hydroponic lettuce need? There are a few problems that could harm your hydroponic lettuce crops. Keep the air temperature between 68 and 75 . Now I have bought a Light Meter, to test various lights. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The, Hydroponic lettuce needs a high-quality nutrient solution to survive and thrive. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also use a computer fan in the grow area as air flow is important. For this reason, it is best for small fast growing plants like lettuce. Hydroponic Lettuce Growing Light Requirements, Types Of Low Light Lettuce Grown In Hydroponic. Given too little light, the plants won't grow as efficiently, while too . They send nutrients up to the plant. However, for lettuce, you probably want mostly the higher color temperatures which should help the leaves grow most. The nice thing about leaf crops (which lettuce is) as opposed to fruit crops (like tomatoes that have to flower to produce the part you want) is that as long as you can keep it alive it doesn't really matter how big or vigorous it grows, you can just grow more of them. Hydroponic lettuce offers all the benefits of traditional, soil-grown lettuce. Remote ballasts are much better for home systems. Think of it like filling a jug of water. It all starts with quality seeds. Growing conditions for hydroponics - Vanilla Planfolia and Saffron (Crocus Sativus), Lighting for indoor citrus to produce full fruit, How to handle a hobby that makes income in US, Bulk update symbol size units from mm to map units in rule-based symbology, Euler: A baby on his lap, a cat on his back thats how he wrote his immortal works (origin?). I'm guessing you could get by with less light than most people are recommending, and different color temperatures, too, although those they recommend might be more like ideal. In general, lettuce should germinate in temperatures between 65 and 80F. What Types of Plants Can Grow in a Hydroponic Garden? Fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers like a spectrum high in red light. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-banner-1','ezslot_10',140,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-140{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Lets take a look at some other growing requirements: Below are the commonly grown types of hydroponic lettuces:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-box-4','ezslot_7',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'growertoday_com-box-4','ezslot_8',107,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-growertoday_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-107{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. What Size Grow Light Do I Need For Two Plants? The most important thing about the lights is that you must get 6400 Kelvin (+/- 300) wavelength lights. Ways to Use It amazing how easy it is to start seeds (even temperamental varieties) with CFL light and a heating mat. Budget: A total of 306.72 kWh of energy was used growing lettuce hydroponically with 48 LED lighting fixtures on for 18 hours each day. Heading lettuce takes longer to finish but can be done in about 45 days. What are the main components of a lighting system? Which varieties of lettuce are commonly grown hydroponically? Water your seeds a few times per week. Not a lot of light? When this happens, your lettuce plant will taste annoyingly bad. The good news is that hydroponic lettuce, since it typically doesnt have to travel long distances to get to the consumer, tends to last quite a bit longer than most soil-grown lettuces. For most varieties, this means a daytime temperature of around 50F to 75F. Phosphorus: keep phosphorus levels between 15 and 20. DLI is calculated by measuring the photosynthetic photon flux density, which is how much light within the wavelength that plants need. In hydroponics, light, temperature, water, and nutrition are all controlled to a T, so theres nothing to hold your lettuce back. You will get a crop sooner this way. How Much Light Does Hydroponic Lettuce Need? They are small and you want to make sure each planter has at least one healthy plant. If you go larger they will fall through. 4Wonderful GiftThe hydroponic growing kit is easy to assemble and easy to use. Check the pH levels and make sure they stay between 5.5 and 6.5. A lot of commercial lettuce is grown this way. You will want to fill your Kratky with water and nutrients about an inch above the bottom of your net pots. ). This light is full of energy and impacts leaf growth that we know as vegetative' or veg' growth.'. Lettuce needs between 12 to 20 hours of daylight, showed a study by Ohio State University 's Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. Learn More About Our Innovative Hydroponic Greenhouses. designed to provide a means for sites to earnadvertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Once your greenhouse is built, you'll need to add the plants. Manufacturers of indoor lighting will try and target 555 nm because the photopic conversion (lumens/watt) is 683 lm/w at this wavelength, while light that plants need has a very small photopic conversion (430 nm is only 8 lm/w, 650 nm is 73 lm/w). How much light does lettuce really need? It is the perfect choice if you are just starting out with hydroponics. The amount of light varies depending on what type of plants you are growing. Leafy greens like lettuce need plenty of nitrogen to grow. How to use Slater Type Orbitals as a basis functions in matrix method correctly? Gardening & Landscaping Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for gardeners and landscapers. This package includes a 4-18-38 Tomato and Vegetable Formula, 15.5-0-0 calcium nitrate fertilizer, and Epsom salt. 2. So it will keep growing and provide multiple harvests. So it might also be called a sub irrigated planter or SIP. You should be able to start harvesting sooner with leaf lettuce. Set the towel inside a small plastic container with a lid. How much light does a gallon of lettuce need? (not recommended), Starting Your Lettuce Plants From Transplants, Growing Hydroponic Lettuce Indoors In A Hybrid Hydroponic System. Lettuces, in particular, are highly susceptible to dangers like e.coli. These include their light spectrum and light intensity requirements. About the 6400K (how it will often be listed) lights, they are also known as "day light" or "natural", but you can not trust these descriptions. Low humidity affects calcium uptake, which affects photosynthesis and fruit quality. Hydroponic lettuce needs a high-quality nutrient solution to survive and thrive. Almost all vegetables grow significantly faster hydroponically than they do when planted out in the field. When you think hydroponics, the first vegetable that comes to mind is probably lettuce. Start your seeds in jiffy pellets or starter plugs. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Dont try to start your seeds in soil because you dont want loose dirt falling into the reservoir. How to Build a Hydroponic System For Lettuce? Two plants need at least 60 watts. If you've added too much, or too little, consider using a pH adjusting product. Possibly the most popular type of lettuce today is romaine. Beginners often take up hydroponics because they want to grow their food but dont have access to outdoor space. Each of these setups has something to offer. 7. Full light from the sun can cause lettuce to go into the flowering phase (bolt) and turn bitter. Artificial lighting for a hydroponic garden should imitate direct and indirect sunlight requirements.