Spinach in a hydroponic system
Common and Alternative Names
- Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
- English Spinach
- Smooth-Leaf Spinach
- Baby Spinach (young harvest)
- New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) - unrelated but similar use
Varieties
- Bloomsdale Long-Standing: 'Bloomsdale' (Spinacia oleracea 'Bloomsdale Long-Standing')
- Space: 'Space' (Spinacia oleracea 'Space')
- Butterflay: 'Butterflay' (Spinacia oleracea 'Butterflay')
- Olympia: 'Olympia' (Spinacia oleracea 'Olympia')
- Giant Winter: 'Giant Winter' (Spinacia oleracea 'Giant Winter')
- Merlo Nero (Italian heirloom)
Positive Identification
- Oblong to triangular, smooth leaves (young) or lightly crinkled (mature)
- Leaves on long, slender petioles arising from a basal rosette
- Bright to dark green coloration, sometimes with a slight waxy sheen
- Stems and veins slightly succulent, tender to the touch
- Small, inconspicuous greenish flowers on terminal spikes when bolting
Toxic Look-Alikes
- New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides) - edible but not true spinach
- Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum spp.) - similar leaf shape, edible but different family
- Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) - toxic sap, different flower umbel
- Hemlock (Conium maculatum) - toxic, umbrella-shaped flower clusters
Common Plant Parts and Uses
| Part | Uses |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Fresh salads, cooking, smoothies; high in vitamins & minerals |
| Stems | Blanched in soups or stews; often discarded if fibrous |
| Flowers | Rare in harvest stage; attract pollinators if allowed to bolt |
| Roots | Not typically consumed; anchorage in hydroponic media |
Growing Parameters
| Field | Range | Optimal |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Conductivity (EC) | 1.2 - 2.0 mS/cm | 1.6 mS/cm |
| pH | 5.5 - 6.5 | 6.0 |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | 600 - 1,200 ppm | 800 ppm |
| Temperature | 16 - 20 °C (61-68 °F) | 18 °C (64 °F) |
| Hours of Light | 12 - 16 h/day | 14 h/day |
| Seasons to Plant | Early Spring, Late Summer | Early Spring |
| Seasons to Harvest | Spring, Fall | Spring |
| Wattage of Grow Lights | 20 - 30 W/ft2 | 25 W/ft2 |
Propagation Methods
- Seed-direct sow in rockwool cubes, coco coir plugs, or germination trays
- Cuttings-rare; typically grown from seed
Compatibility with Hydroponic Systems
| System Type | Compatibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Water Culture (DWC) | Excellent | Shallow roots thrive in oxygenated reservoir |
| Recirculating DWC (RDWC) | Excellent | Uniform nutrient delivery; supports multiple heads |
| Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) | Excellent | Thin film provides continuous flow past roots |
| Ebb and Flow | Good | Periodic flooding prevents waterlogging |
| Drip Irrigation | Good | Precise moisture control at root zone |
| Kratky Method | Good | No pumps needed; monitor nutrient depletion |
| Wick System | Fair | Wicks must deliver sufficient moisture; best for small heads |
| Aeroponics | Excellent | Fine mist encourages rapid growth |
Common Pests
- Aphids (Aphidoidea)
- Leaf Miners (Liriomyza spp.)
- Whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum)
- Fungus Gnats (Bradysia spp.)
- Downy Mildew (Peronospora farinosa)
- Spider Mites (Tetranychus urticae)
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