Growing carrots in a hydroponic system
Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) is a biennial root vegetable grown for its sweet, crunchy taproot. In hydroponics, carrots develop best in deep media or ebb & flow systems that support straight, uniform root growth.
Common and Alternative Names
- Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)
- Garden Carrot
- Imperator Carrot
- Danvers Carrot
- Nantes Carrot
- Baby Carrot
Varieties
- Nantes: 'Nantes Half-Long' (Daucus carota 'Nantes Half-Long')
- Danvers: 'Danvers 126' (Daucus carota 'Danvers 126')
- Chantenay: 'Chantenay Red Cored' (Daucus carota 'Chantenay Red Cored')
- Imperator: 'Imperator 58' (Daucus carota 'Imperator 58')
- Baby: 'Little Finger' (Daucus carota 'Little Finger')
- Mini: 'Thumbelina' (Daucus carota 'Thumbelina')
Positive Identification
- Conical or cylindrical orange taproot with smooth skin
- Finely divided, feathery pinnate leaves in a basal rosette
- Hollow, grooved leaf stalks (petioles)
- Sweet, earthy aroma when root or foliage is crushed
- Second‐year umbrella‐shaped white flowers (if left to bolt)
Toxic Look-Alikes
- Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
- Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata)
- Hemlock Water-Dropwort (Oenanthe crocata)
- Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Plant Parts and Uses
| Part | Uses |
|---|---|
| Root | Edible taproot for fresh eating, cooking, juicing |
| Foliage | Herb garnish; compost; flavor in soups and salads |
| Flowers | Attract pollinators; seed production |
| Seeds | Spice; propagation |
Growing Parameters
| Field | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Conductivity (EC) | 1.0 - 2.0 mS/cm | 1.5 mS/cm |
| pH | 5.8 - 6.2 | 6.0 |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | 700 - 1,400 ppm | 1,000 ppm |
| Temperature | 16 - 21°C (60-70°F) | 18°C (65°F) |
| Hours of Light | 12 - 16 h/day | 14 h/day |
| Seasons to Plant | Spring, Early Fall | Spring |
| Seasons to Harvest | Spring-Summer, Fall | Summer |
| Wattage of Grow Lights | 20 - 30 W/ft2 | 25 W/ft2 |
Propagation Methods
- Seed - direct sow in deep media (perlite, vermiculite, coco coir)
- Division - split mature clumps in media-based systems
Compatibility with Hydroponic Systems
| System Type | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Water Culture (DWC) | Poor | Taproot shape restricted by shallow reservoir |
| Recirculating DWC (RDWC) | Poor | Same as DWC; prefers deep media |
| Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) | Fair | Roots may clog channels; use short runs |
| Ebb and Flow | Good | Flooded media trays allow root expansion |
| Drip Irrigation | Excellent | Drips to deep media support taproot growth |
| Kratky Method | Poor | Static solution insufficient for root development |
| Wick System | Poor | Wicks cannot meet high water demand of taproots |
| Aeroponics | Fair | Requires deep net pots to allow taproot length |
Common Pests
- Carrot Rust Fly (Psila rosae)
- (Aphidoidea)
- Fungus Gnats (Bradysia spp.)
- Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae)
- Whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
- (Meloidogyne spp.)