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Our two types of growth: Hydroponic and organic

  • Hydroponic growing for our lettuces

    Simply put, we grow our produce in water.

    At Gen V, we've developed an innovative growing technique on moving floats that lets us grow leafy greens hydroponically. Here's how it works:

    • 1

      Sowing

      We plant seeds in laom seedbeds. They remain in the nursery for a few days until they sprout.

    • 2

      Transplantation

      We transplant the seedlings to floating trays.

    • 3

      Installation

      We place the floating trays in large basins of water that are long and shallow so that the trays float.

    • 4

      Enrichment

      We enrich the water with the necessary vitamins and minerals to optimize the health and growth of the vegetation. The lettuce roots are able to soak up the nutrients directly from the water.

    • 5

      Harvest

      On the day before shipping, we harvest mature fresh lettuce packed full of balanced, steady nutrition.

    • 6

      Waiting

      In summer, we wait 40 to 50 days before harvesting, with a wait of 75 to 85 days in winter.

    Good to know

    • Greenhouse hydroponic growing uses 90% less water than field growing.
    • The crop yields are bigger compared to traditional farming.
    • The water comes from artesian wells and is filtered and UltraViolet treated.
  • Organic growing for our cucumbers and peppers

    In our greenhouses, we put unlikely allies to work in our farming methods: we use harmless insect species to help protect our vegetables, as they are the natural foes of insects that do cause damage.

    To create a refuge for these busy little biocontrol bugs, we suspend grass pots for them to get cozy in. Working this way lets us avoid the use of pesticides, which you’ll never find on any of our produce. Here’s how we take care of our crops:

    • 1

      Sowing

      We plant seeds in loam where they grow until they become established seedlings.

    • 2

      Transplantation

      We prepare containers for the eventual harvest and transplant the seedlings. The vegetables won’t grow directly in soil.

    • 3

      Stimulate

      We add a substrate loam and minerals from different types of dirt) to simulate soil. We oversee many parameters, including texture, porosity, pH level, nutrients and microbial life.

    • 4

      Nourishment

      Peppers and cucumbers grow vertically, with their stems winding around a support cord.

    • 5

      Grow

      Peppers and cucumbers grow vertically, with their stems winding around a support cord.

    • 6

      Harvest

      It's time to harvest! For peppers, it takes about three months to complete a growth cycle, and about four months for cucumbers.

    Good to know

    All peppers start out green, changing colours as they develop. Imperfect peppers are sold at a reduced price or for juicing to avoid food waste. Rooftop rainwater is collected from our greenhouses and used to water our plants.