Grow Diary: Spinach 'Perpetual'

PREMIER SEEDS DIRECT - Spinach - Perpetual - 14 Gram ~ 700 Seeds
  • Planting Depth: 1/2 inch. Spacing, Row: 12-18 inches. Spacing, plants: Sow 12-18 seeds per foot. Light: Sunny Location
  • Spinach germinates best in cool soil. Sow Mar - Apr & Sep – Oct. Sow about 6-12 seeds per foot, 1/2 inch deep, in rows 12-18 inches apart and thin when large enough. Gradually thin to 6-9 in apart as they grow.
  • Harvest young spinach leaves during growth and full-size. Protect during harsh cold spells and from winter birds for a harvest over winter.
  • Spinach grows on a wide range of soils if moist and fertile, but is sensitive to acidity.
  • Professional DEFRA licenced Quality Seed Supply only - Minimal packaging - Ziplock labelled bags - Instructions not attached - See details provided above for cultivation advice.
  • Test Plants: Spinach 'Perpetual'
  • Growth Medium: Aqua Vega - 750ppm - pH 6.14
  • Location: Conservatory
  • Hydroponics Setup: 10L Kratky hydroponics system

Spinach 'Perpetual' seeds were planted in Root Riot Organic Starter Cubes and placed in a heated germinator for approximately a week. During that time, the seeds sprouted (3 days post-planting) and grew into healthy-looking seedlings. At the end of the week, the young plants were transferred to 10L Kratky hydroponics buckets containing 750ppm Aqua Vega nutrient media pH-ed to 6.14. 

The plants grew speedily producing ample edible leaves in under a month. Please note that a small portion of the leaves were regularly harvested for tasting purposes, and as a consequence, the pictures below show only a portion of the total growth that the Spinach plants were able to achieve during this growing cycle.

After about 56 days from seed start, it became clear that the plants were no longer growing as fast anymore, and since the nutrient media was also almost completely used up, the experiment was ended at this point. Measurement of the remaining media's concentration and pH revealed it to have a 'nutrient' concentration of 144ppm and a pH of 4.1, both of which may have contributed to the slow down of growth of the plants.

Overall, Spinach plants grow very well in the 10L Kratky hydroponics bucket system, but a larger volume / higher nutrient concentration setup will likely produce an even higher yield of edible produce if desired.

Day 16

Day 24

Day 35

Day 48

Day 57 - the roots