Maximum Yield Cannabis Canada 2017 November/December | Page 36

legumes
Peas prefer lower overall growing temperatures
than beans, with optimums in the 13-18°C range
for most varieties.”
Hydroponic systems suitable for growing
peas and beans include substrate and solution
culture, but large, deep growing containers are
recommended for taller varieties and longer-
term crops such as climbing pole beans, fava
beans, and soybeans due to the extensive
nature of the root system. Bush/dwarf beans,
dwarf pea varieties, and snow peas can be
grown in larger-sized nutrient flow technique
(NFT) channels.
Pea seeds grown to produce pea shoots and
mung beans grown as sprouts can be produced
on plastic trays, on mats or pads of stone wool
or other substrates, and misted with dilute
nutrient solution once the first seedling leaves
have expanded. While mung bean sprouts
can be grown in the dark to produce the white/
yellow pale shoots, pea shoots require a
moderate level of light to form the green leaves
and tendrils these are harvested with. With
shoot, sprout, or micro green production, it
is essential that strict hygiene measures are
followed. This includes the use of sterilized
trays, high-quality water, and clean, untreated
seed. For some seed, surface sterilization in
a diluted bleach solution followed by rinsing
with water helps prevent fungal pathogens
and reduces food safety risks during sprout or
micro green production.
BEANS
Pole or runner bean grown in a hydroponic greenhouse.
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grow cycle
Fresh beans are a popular vegetable and
commonly grown in commercial hydroponic
greenhouses year-round. While the green pole
or runner bean are the most commonly grown,
other beans grown hydroponically include
fava (also known as broad bean), lima, and the
increasingly popular soybean.
Fava beans have the advantage of being more
tolerant of cold than most other beans and
thus can be grown in unheated conditions in
many climates; however, the plants are large
and tall at maturity and more suited to roomier
hydroponic systems.
Soybeans grown for edamame (in which
young, immature beans are eaten fresh, often
lightly steamed) produce well under hydroponic
conditions and are perfect to eat immediately
after picking. There are many varieties of
soybean, so be sure to select a suitable breed if
growing for edamame; for example, Envy, which
grows to two feet and requires temperatures of
around 28°C for optimum germination.
For smaller systems, bush or dwarf snap
beans, also known as French beans, are
easily grown and take up little space. These
are self-supporting and highly productive,
and come in a range of pod types and colours
from green to yellow, and even dark purple.
Ranging in height from one to two feet, bush
beans generally self-pollinate in indoor
environments; however, temperatures over
32°C can restrict flowering and pollination.