[Two Kids' Dad]

Happy Friday greeneyes. I have two gardening-related questions for you and/or any other FReeper that knows their stuff.

First, I planted some lettuce in 5 hydroponic pots and they’re starting to grow, but the new growth looks more like sprouts than lettuce. I was expecting a low ball of green instead of a tall thin stalk reaching toward the light. Is this normal for lettuce as it starts from seed? What’s it supposed to look like for the first few weeks after germination?

Second, I just bought a plum tree and still need to get some soil before I plant it. Any recommendations on which type of soil and what kind of drainage it’ll need? I’m thinking of potting it since it’s small, then transplanting it into the ground after it outgrows the pot. Bad idea? decent idea? I’m in Southern California so winter weather isn’t a huge deal, but my backyard soil kinda sucks.

Thanks in advance to any and all responses.

[greeneyes]

The hydroponics, I have no experience with, but the lettuce doesn't sound like any I have used. Is it possible that it's not getting sufficient sunlight?

You've got several issues with the plum tree that I can think of. I am not certain of the exact PH etc for the soil, but you can easily find that information.

Hubby says that it is better to plant the trees while they are young, and that transplanting them is worse the older they are.

Your main problem is the bad soil. If you do what most do, and simply dig a hole slightly bigger than the root ball of improved soil, and transplant it, down the road the tree may have problems. Roots will be gathering nutrients further and further away from the tree as it grows.

You will need to have a sizable plot of improved soil in order for it to succeed long term. Maybe some of the others will have some additional hints. Hope this helps.

[Sarajevo]

What is your daily temperature around your hydroponics set-up? Unless the plants are very young, it sounds like the lettuce is already bolting from high temps. My hydroponic lettuce in my greenhouse did the same last year until I put it outside in the ground, then it developed the nice round heads. I was also short on nutrients since the fish I have in my stock tank are all small and don't produce much.

Plum trees - dig a hole 2x the size of the root ball. Place the tree in the hole and gently break up the root ball. Fill the remainder of the hole with a good soil mixture and tamp it in. Make sure the tree is watered well during the first year. Drainage is always a good thing. Most trees don't like standing in water.
BTW- Do you have sufficient chill hours in your area to produce fruit?

[Darth Reardon]

Lettuce will depend on variety. I’ve only grown Simpson Black Seed, which is quite “leggy” and looks nothing like the big round Iceberg heads. I’ve seen it grow a foot or more before starting to develop a head. I pick the lower/outer leaves for use, and it continues to grow new inner leaves upward.

[SisterK]

Lettuce should be a low ball of green - even young. You have insufficient light. Can you move your hydroponic operation outside? Lettuce is a cool weather crop, so southern California might be warm enough now to have lettuce outdoors.
The plum tree would do better directly planted. Also, if your soil is alkaline (many soils west of the Mississippi are alkaline), then your plum tree might enjoy a bit of sulpher or something to lower the pH.