Aerogarden club

vandewalle said:

another great discovery if you move your plants around about every week they become stronger, and they grow more evenly, you have to do this before the roots become entangled with eachother. this helps the plants alot and works very well. has anyone else attempted this?

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I'm not sure that's really necessary. Roots can cause problems in such a confined space as our A/G reservoirs but I may have a solution. I've been dwarfing my citrus trees for about ten years now and the process is really pretty simple. I prune the green top growth on my M/J plants as well as the roots and I probably do it one or two times per life cycle but never more than 1/3 of the growth. That's A/G's own rule although they never recommended pruning the roots. I got that trick from Paul James on Gardening by the Yard on the Home and Garden TV network. I strongly suggest you watch it. They're not growing M/J but a lot of the information is transferable.

vandewalle said:

another great discovery if you move your plants around about every week they become stronger, and they grow more evenly, you have to do this before the roots become entangled with eachother. this helps the plants alot and works very well. has anyone else attempted this?

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A fan can do the same thing too.

IMG_0289.JPG

mysecond grow 3.5 weeks in

Merciless_One said:

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.

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You can get "figure eight cords" from the ninety-nine cents store now. They're on a gray plastic shrink wrapped card in the electrical stuff. They're a little shorter than the ones from Radio Shack but they're about six bucks cheaper too and they're rated the same; 1800 wtts. I usually don't need that much cord anyway.

where is a good site to get seeds from... anyone ever use or heard of Herbies seed ? i have looked a lot into ordering from there

vandewalle said:

i know that there are already 10s of posts about this, but i thought this would be a good place for everyone who is using it, to actually say if you are, so i think it would be good if only people that are using the aerogarden post in this one, i know im not a mod, but itd be cool for people to tell what they KNOW works and what some people would change for next time.

i KNOW that foxfarm nutes have been amazing in dealing with the aerogarden.

just talk about what youve learned and what you are gonna change if you do it again, and if you are new ask for help

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Vanderwall: There are undoubtedly a lot of great nutes on the market but I'm sold on Technaflora's, "Recipe for Success." For the last three years I've used it from seed propagation or cloning to harvest, I've used it full strength, and I've yet to have a problem although when I go from one formula to the next growth stage formula I do use the first dose at half strength just to be safe. A week later, when you change your nutes and see there are no problems, and so far there haven't been, I go full strength. All you need is: good water, a gallon jug, a set of measuring spoons and a good pH tester. Aerogarden's nutes are okay for culinary herbs but not for what we're growing. You can get a starter sample kit of Technaflora's "Recipe for Success," from most hydro stores for about $30 and they'll last you a long time with that little 128 ounces reservoir.

The A/G is pretty much complete right out of the box but an aquarium air pump, inline check valve and an air stone in the reservoir can really make a big difference. The problem is that when you change one thing it effects something else. When you add an air line, and it usually goes in through the front inspection/filler port that lets light into your reservoir and that causes algae problems. A little hydrogen peroxide will help keep it down. One thing that A/G customer service reps impressed upon me is that "Cleanliness is Godliness" and you have to keep you reservoir clean.

Another good idea is to wrap your reservoir pump. They're not exactly heavy duty to begin with and the root hairs can plug it up, stop it and fry it. You can buy a pump sock from the hydro store for anywhere from $7 to $15 or you can use a woman's nylon sock. The short kind they wear with flat shoes. They cost about $2 a pair at Walmart and they work just as well. The point here is that the sponge rubber filter won't keep the roots out. That trick was taught to me by A/G's customer service and they can be very helpful. It's a free 800 number.

A lot of people like to add extra lighting. I don't. What I've done is to cover plastic panels with Mylar and arrange them, aim them, so that the light is recycled back up to the parts of my plants that are usually left in shadows by the top foliage. The result is that you can get buds all the way down to the planting deck. Granted they'll be little buds but they'll smoke just as well as the larger top ones. Doing this, I don't have the mess of cords all over the place like my friends do. If you notice, A/G is now selling Mylar curtains to do the same thing but I don't think they'll work as well as the aimed reflectors. Nor do I think they would last as long. Mine have been through four crops and all they take is a wipe with a damp sponge to keep them clean and shiny.

As far as figure 8 cords are concerned, if you have one of the newer, super duper models don't need it. They have lighting schedules that go all the way up to 24 hours on if you want to push a crop. Mine are all the old style, "Classic," A/G models. Anything less than an upgraded seven holes model with the 24" arm light stand and three high intensity CFL's is pretty much a waste of time for what we grow. I've had my three u[graded seven holes "Classics" for about six years now and I love them but when I go into flowering I have to use a remote timer and a figure 8 cord. I bought the first figure 8 cord at Radio Shack for $6.95 but the next two from the 99 cents store. The one from Radio Shack is a few inches longer but they're both rated at 1800 watts and my last two were only 99 cents. They're in the electrical department at the 99 cent store.

Last, but not least, keep a supply of spare parts on hand for emergencies and change your lamps and pumps at the recommended intervals. You'll need extra lamps, a pumps and filters. If your pump dies in the middle of a crop you're going to kick yourself because it might take you three weeks to a month to get another one. A/G is not famous for quick delivery. Also, when you buy your supplies from A/G try to buy in bulk if you can. It's a lot cheaper in the long run. If your order is over $50 they used to ship for free. I hope they still do because that's another way to save a buck. Buy once a year and stock up. I hope this tirade helps. HSA

HSA said:

Vanderwall: There are undoubtedly a lot of great nutes on the market but I'm sold on Technaflora's, "Recipe for Success." For the last three years I've used it from seed propagation or cloning to harvest, I've used it full strength, and I've yet to have a problem although when I go from one formula to the next growth stage formula I do use the first dose at half strength just to be safe. A week later, when you change your nutes and see there are no problems, and so far there haven't been, I go full strength. All you need is: good water, a gallon jug, a set of measuring spoons and a good pH tester. Aerogarden's nutes are okay for culinary herbs but not for what we're growing. You can get a starter sample kit of Technaflora's "Recipe for Success," from most hydro stores for about $30 and they'll last you a long time with that little 128 ounces reservoir.

The A/G is pretty much complete right out of the box but an aquarium air pump, inline check valve and an air stone in the reservoir can really make a big difference. The problem is that when you change one thing it effects something else. When you add an air line, and it usually goes in through the front inspection/filler port that lets light into your reservoir and that causes algae problems. A little hydrogen peroxide will help keep it down. One thing that A/G customer service reps impressed upon me is that "Cleanliness is Godliness" and you have to keep you reservoir clean.

Another good idea is to wrap your reservoir pump. They're not exactly heavy duty to begin with and the root hairs can plug it up, stop it and fry it. You can buy a pump sock from the hydro store for anywhere from $7 to $15 or you can use a woman's nylon sock. The short kind they wear with flat shoes. They cost about $2 a pair at Walmart and they work just as well. The point here is that the sponge rubber filter won't keep the roots out. That trick was taught to me by A/G's customer service and they can be very helpful. It's a free 800 number.

A lot of people like to add extra lighting. I don't. What I've done is to cover plastic panels with Mylar and arrange them, aim them, so that the light is recycled back up to the parts of my plants that are usually left in shadows by the top foliage. The result is that you can get buds all the way down to the planting deck. Granted they'll be little buds but they'll smoke just as well as the larger top ones. Doing this, I don't have the mess of cords all over the place like my friends do. If you notice, A/G is now selling Mylar curtains to do the same thing but I don't think they'll work as well as the aimed reflectors. Nor do I think they would last as long. Mine have been through four crops and all they take is a wipe with a damp sponge to keep them clean and shiny.

As far as figure 8 cords are concerned, if you have one of the newer, super duper models don't need it. They have lighting schedules that go all the way up to 24 hours on if you want to push a crop. Mine are all the old style, "Classic," A/G models. Anything less than an upgraded seven holes model with the 24" arm light stand and three high intensity CFL's is pretty much a waste of time for what we grow. I've had my three u[graded seven holes "Classics" for about six years now and I love them but when I go into flowering I have to use a remote timer and a figure 8 cord. I bought the first figure 8 cord at Radio Shack for $6.95 but the next two from the 99 cents store. The one from Radio Shack is a few inches longer but they're both rated at 1800 watts and my last two were only 99 cents. They're in the electrical department at the 99 cent store.

Last, but not least, keep a supply of spare parts on hand for emergencies and change your lamps and pumps at the recommended intervals. You'll need extra lamps, a pumps and filters. If your pump dies in the middle of a crop you're going to kick yourself because it might take you three weeks to a month to get another one. A/G is not famous for quick delivery. Also, when you buy your supplies from A/G try to buy in bulk if you can. It's a lot cheaper in the long run. If your order is over $50 they used to ship for free. I hope they still do because that's another way to save a buck. Buy once a year and stock up. I hope this tirade helps. HSA

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I see your still : HERE SELLING AEROGARDENS....HSA this is spam....I bet you still haven't posted a single pic....Helping nuebs is one thing but, SPAM IS NOT COOL.........

Ive received alot of tips from HSA's posts, personally.

lol.......

hi all i dont post often i read alot here and find lots of info for AG and DWC i have my baby barbara (wife named her lol) she is 9 weeks old getting think and smelly for bagseed been using flora duo nuts 12/12 from seed i still have a problem i have purplish stems ,dark green leaves and stunted grown my first grow was a runt also slow or no growth i thought was cal/mag problem but i really think its a N problem

She looks pretty good to me but not finished, needs more time...hang in there, they stop stretching and fill out some at the end..

Mr.Natural said:

She looks pretty good to me but not finished, needs more time...hang in there, they stop stretching and fill out some at the end..

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thanks ill keep them going just cant wait to finish i know patients patients and more patients hoping for end of the month i have 2 babies in a dwc and going to try one in soil i have never grown before so want to try them all lol

Hell yeah go for it!! Each style has its place...I run my moms in soil, but flower in dwc...works for my set up....best of luck to ya...

CRAP !!!!!!!!!!!!! i was changing the res in my AG today i slipped and dropped my res tank i am glad that my tank didnt crack but my big girl didnt make it so well she broke in 3 places i tried to put it together with some bamboo and a few wire ties but not sure ill check befor the lights go out its so close too damn this sucks !!!!!!!!!

Ouch sorry to hear that so far into your grow one comforting thing is the plants are resilient if she didn't snap completely in two she may bounce back and since you were going to give her a couple more weeks she has a chance to recover.


Just an FYI I bent my girl accidentally trying to tie her down and she is still thriving I lost some grow time since she's been repairing herself but she is doing fine.

dalgoda said:

yeah it works fine if it plugs in
the ps2 cord is an ac regular cord and it converts it in the console to dc
the AG cord is an ac regular cord and it converts ac to dc in the ballast

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hope this reply helped you...." The ballast" i think I meant bridge rectifier ac to dc converting thingey

Aerogardens are awesome. Looking for another one, used. Will put it right in the tent with the other. In New York, with the law changed, the possibilities are endless. Great for campers, and busy parents. Like the kegs were to craft beer. If I owned the local hardware store, I would have these stocked to the ceiling.