Aerogarden club

[twinturbo]

Great work worh the aerogarden. I am still growing the lettuce that my garen came with, jsut to see what this thing can do. I've noticed that the rear pods are growing about 1/3 faster than the front. I measured the intensity of the light at eahclocation and noticed that the rear pods DO get substantially more light for some reason.
Also, the best strain to grow in this thing is probabely "BIG BUD" because the plants rarely exceed 2 feet in lenghts. I noticed that Tek's plants, though very healthy looking, were reaching for light a bit. One set back aobut BIG BUD is that they are a bitch to clone though.
Tek, what sequence of nutrients did you use (ie; what fox farms products at what stage)?

I also have the Ag and noticed from the condensation on the pods that the middle rear two pods do infact get more light.

 

[storzbickel]

hey guys

i grow in soil but this is my first time with the aero garden. im using the 6' ac cord idea and im trying out Advanced Nurtients products. i know they are alot bore Base than Fox Farm so pHing should only be a matter of going down not and not back and forth, ill let you all know.

i got the aero and i already had 4, 9-day old strong seedlings (in soil). i did some research and found it was ok to move them into a hydro system

it was a pain in the ass rinsing off the roots, but i did it. plants are in and ive been using pHed water in the resovoir for now, and just spraying the foliage with nutes. this is to ease any shock going on for the root system, ill resume a regular nutrient solution in a couple days once the plants settle in.

my camera is charging, pics soon!

 

[giagemgal]

Hi,

So, you are saying set it to Greens? Some have said flowers, tell me why you believe different. Is 24/7 nutrients better? Will this burn the plant?

Thank you

While digging through some old computer crap I had laying around, I came across this cable, which is a perfect match for the Aerogarden lamp hood, just as Vand had figured out. I figured other people would want to know more info about this kind of cord, so ..

The name for this kind of connector end is called a "figure eight", and is a pretty common type of cord from what it seems. Nothing crazy or propriatary.

Here is a link to purchase the cable from any Radio Shack in your local area:
RadioShack.com - Power & Batteries: Extension & power cords: 6-Ft. AC Power Cord

Also, they have a simple appliance timer there too that you'll need so you can set the light cycle for flowering:
RadioShack.com - Home & Office: Clocks & watches: Mini Plug-In Lamp/Appliance Timer

I walked out of RadioShack for less than $20, and everything is working beautifully with the base unit set to "salad greens" (which keeps the nutrients/pumps running 24/7) , and set the timer to set the lights on an 18/6 cycle.

 

[giagemgal]

What if we took some very light weight (cheese cloth like) and put a light wrap around the plants roots. Would that help them from getting all tangled up with another plants roots? That way it would be easier to move them about? Just have the two brain cells chuggin along here. Tee hee

Cheers

Hey, approaching week for of vegetation I think, and here's a picture of my status. I know I got too many in there, but it's hard to know when I'll need to pull one or two of them out... too bad you can't tell gender until so late in the cycle... still the roots are still pretty young, so there's no fighting yet, but I suppose there will be. I tried the musical chairs routine, and I think I'm going to land on a permanent placement soon. Trying to decide how best to arrange them.

Any advice, or ideas are welcome!

 

[giagemgal]

Two is always better than one!!!

What cycles did you use? What nutes did you use? Help, I'm about to germinate.

Thank you ::curtsy:::

Hey guys just checking in from alaska we too have the aerogarden.
this is my second crop with this system i have two aerogarden units and i love them
but i did luck into the perfect strain for the small aerogaarden

[/IMG]

 

[johnnyquest]

Please let us in on what youre doing alaska that looks awesome

 

[johnnyquest]

Okay I just set this baby all up I just have a few questions. Do you think adding the domes are necessary? I set my lights to 24/7 do you think this is even necessary since i just planted the seeds? if the slits in the foam are partially open can this completely ruin its chances for survival because it may be exposed to light?
Thanks

 

[giagemgal]

The domes are definately necessary because it creats a green house effect. I'm thinking they researched this pretty closely and even though we are using it for a "different plant" it should still be the same in most steps. Air, water, neuts and light.

Good luck!!!

Okay I just set this baby all up I just have a few questions. Do you think adding the domes are necessary? I set my lights to 24/7 do you think this is even necessary since i just planted the seeds? if the slits in the foam are partially open can this completely ruin its chances for survival because it may be exposed to light?
Thanks

 

[storzbickel]

i need some advice!!!!

im doing a transplant, 9 day old seedlings that started in soil into the aerogarden.

ive had some pH issues. ill put my solution into the resovoir at 5.8/5.9 and a matter of hours later it drops into the 4s.

not sure what is causing this, i wasnt sure if anyone else had this happen on start up because of crap on the plastic or not.

another thought i had was there is still a small amount of residual dirt on the roots. not masses of mud by any mean, just about as thick as some of the roots, a coating of soil.

could this be the root of my pH prob? ive changed the resovoir daily to remove the sediment that comes of. i could try some intricate rinsing off if you guys think the soil in the solultion is my problem

 

[johnnyquest]

Thanks for the response. Do you think I should have my lights set to 24/7 until I see the seedlings then change it over to 18/6 or 20/4 or whatever Im going to do?

The domes are definately necessary because it creats a green house effect. I'm thinking they researched this pretty closely and even though we are using it for a "different plant" it should still be the same in most steps. Air, water, neuts and light.

Good luck!!!

 

[giagemgal]

Some growers like the 24/7 and otherslike the 18/6. I would think that it would stress the plant out to be under light and made to grow 24/7. However, I would let others answer this one. I think it should be 24/7 until the plants are strong and about 2 inches then changed to 18/6. Keep the light about 7 inches away so you don't get them too hot.

I would like to see some more responses to see what others are doing out there and you should too.

Good luck!!

Thanks for the response. Do you think I should have my lights set to 24/7 until I see the seedlings then change it over to 18/6 or 20/4 or whatever Im going to do?

 

[johnnyquest]

Okay Ive got some pictures of what kinda grow environment im working with. I coated a toy chest with tin foil bought 2 fluorescent 20 watts and have a fan at one end and a space heater at the other. I also have a timer for the lights but dont have it hooked up at the moment because I just planted and I guess I will do the 24/7 thing until I can see the actual plants then switch to maybe 18/6 or 20/4. Heres the pics: (They uploaded a little out of order but I hope you can still see whats what. )

 

[johnnyquest]

^My pictures are annoying as hell the way I uploaded them, sorry.
I see Ill need to buy a pump airstone and ph stuff. I might have ph strips for a pool do you think that will work and if that is good for monitoring it how do I actually go about changing it? The only nutes I can use are the aerogarden ones unless do you think I can find nutes similar to fox farms or any of the other ones mentioned on here at a store? Also I am getting some condensation on some of my domes is this a sign of overlighting?

 

[XtC in me]

no your good...the condensation on the domes means it is only acting like a rainforest environment which is what you want...As far as the nutes go...I went with the foxfarm hydroponics trio....

 

[dalgoda]

using PHydrion litmus paper and a pool ppm thing I had seems to be working ok.
to change it people have recommended Lemon juice, sulfuric acid and apple cider vinegar. ppm (parts per million) or TDS(total dissolved solids) gauge is also recommended for nutrient balance. Using the General Hydroponics Flora Nova on this one and so far looking good. Everybody raves about foxfarm tho like they own stock. dunno get a hydroponic kind tho and that should be ok.

 

[storzbickel]

check out your local area- you might even have a hyrdroponics store around, if not large garden centers with greenhouses are another good place.

i really havent seen the Fox Farm nutes at a store, they carry their soils and other items. but usually places will have General Hydroponics or Advanced nutrients.

call around, ask if they stock Fox Farm or what they stock.

DONT GO CHEAP! low quality nutes have lots of impurities and tend to cause a lot of build up and residue and will make for extra maintenance.

 

[storzbickel]

you can also get a basic pH test kit for like $4 at a garden store or even a pet store w/fish. You will need to get some pH up and down solution to balance it out. they usally run about $15/L in my area.

 

[XtC in me]

how should I germinate my seeds??? I use the aerogarden and i am unsure how i should germinate.....

 

[johnnyquest]

Wow thanks for all the replys guys now If I do go and get some new nutes I just need to completely clean out my reservoir since i started with the aerogarden stuff then add in the new stuff?

Xtc I just put my seeds in the machine but people said they germinated in a paper towel or some other methods to get the seeds stronger im not sure though im a noob with this stuff and my seeds havent sprouted yet.

 

[storzbickel]

you can germinate either by just putting the seed in the foam of the little cups for the aerogarden, or you can leave them in a moist paper towel. either one works. the only advantage is its easier to see if they germinate in a paper towel, b/c you'd have to take the little cups out. not a big deal. they will take anywhere from 2-7 days.

johnnyq- you will need to sterilze the areogaren, you should ALWAYS do this after every grow, weed or other things, in a system like that. this is to remove any pest and diseases that may be hanging out.
-remove all the roots and other plant material
- use a very diluted soap and water mixture. clean out the resovoir, surface and any other pieces.
-depending on how long and what nutes you have used, it might be a good idea to clean out the pump. nutes create salt build up on the pump and filter which can be deadly over time.

i know theres instructions on cleaning the pump with the aerogarden guides, theres probably steps how to sterlize the system as well.

then just start all over. with whatever nutes you get try and get a feeding schedule. the companies put together a schedule of what nutes and when. you should roughly follow that using your own strength nute solution (i.e. 1/4 strength for the first little bit)