Leafy Greens in Hydroponics and Protected Culture for Florida

Figure 2. Market display of ‘Bright Lights’ chard. Credits: Natalie Parkell
Leafy greens are some of the top “powerhouse” fruits and vegetables. They are also becoming increasingly more popular for consumers. This seven-page fact sheet is designed to aid Florida hydroponic and/or other protected culture growers who are seeking appropriate cultivars of the leafy greens group. The article covers spinach, Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and Asian greens. Written by Natalie B. Parkell, Robert C. Hochmuth, and Wanda L. Laughlin and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1279

Water and Nutrient Management Guidelines for Greenhouse Hydroponic Vegetable Production in Florida

Hydroponically grown plants
Many small farms are implementing greenhouse hydroponic systems. Perhaps the most challenging aspect of crop management for smaller growers is the control of water and nutrient delivery in a soilless media system. This six-page fact sheet focuses on relatively inexpensive strategies to help small growers know both when to start irrigation events and how long to run a single event when growing in soilless media. Written by Robert C. Hochmuth, Natalie B. Parkell, Wanda L. Laughlin, and Sean C. Rider, and published by the Horticultural Sciences Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1274

Selecting Cultivars of Lettuce For Production Using Hydroponics and Protected Culture in Florida

Figure 2. Example of floating raft system With correct variety selection and protected culture strategies, lettuce is a crop that can present even the novice grower with a fast-growing commodity for market sale. Includes brief descriptions of hydroponic lettuce production systems, cultivars, and a table summarizing the lettuce types successfully grown in Florida using protected agriculture and hydroponic techniques. This 6-page fact sheet was written by Natalie B. Parkell, Robert C. Hochmuth, and Wanda L. Laughlin, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, March 2015. (Photo: UF/IFAS)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1258

Veggies and Herbs: Made in the Shade A Growing Season Calendar for North Florida

Figure 1. Vertical cultures are used to grow herbs under shade. The importance of using an open shade structure for hydroponic crop culture in Florida has recently increased. Prior to the turn of the century, hydroponic culture in Florida was done inside a greenhouse structure, but it has now expanded to several other types of structures. In addition to greenhouses, production now exists in high tunnels, insect screens or net houses, and open shade-covered structures. In southern parts of Florida, outdoor hydroponic systems without any structure are becoming more common. In those cases, many operations use a polypropylene cover for freeze protection. Diversifying structures stems from growers’ desires to extend the season to meet consumer demand for a longer time period. The purpose of this publication is to indicate what crops have been successfully grown under shade in northern Florida at various times of the year. This 4-page fact sheet was written by Daniel K. Fenneman, Robert C. Hochmuth, Wanda L. Laughlin, and Sean R. McCoy, and published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, November 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1228

HS1164 Microgreens: A New Specialty Crop

HS1164, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by Danielle D. Treadwell, Robert Hochmuth, Linda Landrum, and Wanda Laughlin, provides an overview of this new type of market crop and its production. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Horticultural Sciences, May 2010.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1164