LettUs Grow trial growing chilli plants with aeroponics
LettUs Grow trial growing chilli plants with aeroponics
At LettUs Grow we are always looking to explore the potential of controlled environment agriculture - from developing new technology, to finding new locations for our container farms or experimenting with what we can grow using aeroponics.
In our most recent proof of concept trial, our research scientists explored growing bush type chilli plants in our aeroponic farm.
We grew three different chilli seed varieties, which were propagated in a deep-water culture system until their roots were 2cm long, before being moved into our aeroponic systems. Throughout the trials, we explored changing environmental conditions to boost plant growth, encourage fruit ripening and increase the heat of the fruit - to taste, that is.
Chilli plants are self-pollinating, which means the plants form flowers with both male and female organs, so no natural or artificial pollinating agents are needed - like how a bumblebee might pollinate a flower, for example. This means chilli plants are well suited to being grown in a closed indoor farming environment, since no extra effort is required to make sure that the flowers are being pollinated.
Our first trials were successful and we were able to grow delicious chillies from seed, completely indoors. On average, it took around 4 months for the first fully ripe fruits to develop.
The next stages of research would involve understanding whether chilli plants could be grown for commercial success:
• How quickly could we or would we need to grow chilli plants?
•Is it cost and energy effective to grow chillies under these conditions?
• Are their further benefits to growing chillies in a fully controlled environment?
So we can understand whether growing chillies with aeroponics is commercially attractive, it will be important to engage with commercial chilli growers and collaborate to further explore these questions.
You can read more about the exciting collaborations and trials we are currently undertaking and reach out with any partnership proposals here.
