(Part 2) Top products from r/aerogarden

Hey, thanks for stopping by and asking! I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge:

• I think getting two Harvest models would be a good idea for what you want to grow. They have enough pod spaces and light power to get you a lot of plants really fast. Note that the salad green kits will grow to maturity much faster than the herbs, but everything will grow SO much faster than soil :)
  
  
• I don't have any personal experience with the Harvest models, but here are some good comparison charts for all Aerogarden models.
  
  
• You can definitely plant your own rosemary seeds in a "Grow Anything" seed pod kit. My best guess as to why they don't sell rosemary pods is that it is a very very slow plant. It germinates incredibly slowly, and its growth is just as slow. It probably didn't make sense to put it in an herb kit where everything grew much faster.
  
  
• I am not sure about the lettuce and kale compatibility, sorry! I had great success with the Heirloom Salad Greens kit, though. Some pics here.
  
  Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions, and if you end up buying an Aerogarden, we'd love to see your progress pics! Happy gardening!

Assuming you are using Bounty/Extra/Ultra - it looks like the Lights on those take astandard 2 prong electronics cord that can be directly plugged into the wall (I tested with multimeter on my bounty that it puts out/passes 120v AC) - What happens when you plug the hood by itself (bypassing the base)? - I wonder if it is shorting, and causing the base to trip/power down? Be sure to do this on a GFCI circuit...oh yeah, this suggestion is for entertainment purposes only, not liable for damages ;-)

I wouldn't mix types of plants. Doing two different kinds of peppers isn't a bad idea or just plant more thai pepper plants. You would only want 1-3 pepper plants anyways and put spacers in the extra holes.


I would never add seeds to an established garden. The lights would be too high and the roots space too limited. This is especially true for herbs as they are basically useful weeds.


Also, how high do your lights go? Pepper plants are 'tall' and need a model that has high lights, not all Aerogardens do peppers.



Wanting to grow more than one thing at a time is why a lot of owners keep multiple gardens. I keep three so I have herbs, greens and peppers going. Aerogarden is doing their Valentines sale which is usually one of their better sales if you want a second box.

Hello!

So I use this for my AG:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TCC46U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And then I have a couple of 3" air stones that I got at walmart for cheap.

Make sure you get black tubing, so that light doesn't get in. Also, look into getting a "check valve" for each line so that if your power goes out, water does flow backwards into the pump.

Then I unplugged the basin pump from the back, and have the air stones running 24/7 at a medium setting. I've done this with all of my AG grows (peppers, strawberries, ground cherries, tomatoes, herbs) with success. More oxygen=better.

If you're going to use a different nutrient make sure it's made hydroponic systems, as outdoor fertilizers intended for soil don't typically have the same nutrients or the same ratios. I would also suggest using an ec and ph meter.

I use Fox Farms range of nutrients. The one aerogarden supplies is well balanced though and designed for ease of use.

Yeah you could buy this:
https://www.amazon.com/PowerStation24-Efficiency-Green-Energy-Spectrum/dp/B00RHOL66Y/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1513117172&sr=8-12&keywords=led+aerogarden

Although at $30 per bulb it's rather expensive. Not sure if there's any cheaper alternatives though. I would definitely research it a bit.

BTW the item mentions 100340 model, but it's also compatible with 100629.

https://i.imgur.com/Dynohw8.jpg

A simple Nesco should work fine. http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-FD-37A-American-Dehydrator-400-watt/dp/B00CS5ZI6G

Also, /r/dehydrating

pH Up and Down, but I rarely use the pH Down

Hmmm...Might want to try the Grow Light Boosters (or tin foil, which works just as well). EDIT: Your leaves need to be fairly close to the light, and since you're not using the trellis to keep the branches growing straight up and underneath the light, they're growing outwards where the light is probably too weak for the size of the plant.

Might also want to cut down the branches, or if possible, transfer the whole plant to its own pot/light/water set-up.

Sure, you can use any telescoping type pole you can find as long as it's hollow. According to my Amazon history it was This Unit The only reason I used it was because I had it and had accidentally broken it.

Edit: It looks like the 24" models use this style system already. I wouldn't think miraclegro would spend the time and effort engineering something different just for them. This will most likely work just the same way, but I have no definitive proof/experience with them so try at your own risk.

The light scorching is probably due to root rot, the plant just kind of shuts down if its roots aren't working right.

The top part of the aerogarden is actually made of two pieces of plastic. Dead roots can get in-between the two pieces.

I don't think the instructions cover taking the top apart. there are little tabs on the underside that you kind of have to push in with a slotted screwdriver then pry the two pieces apart. I bet if you do that you'll find a bunch of rotten crud in there. I take the whole thing apart (including removing the water pump), wipe everything down with antibacterial wipes then run everything but the water pump through the dishwasher on "sanitize".

Beneficial bacteria (such as Hydroguard) will prevent problems. I can't recommend it enough, just add a bit with every water change. you can also use enzymes (such as Sensizym or the fertilizer Mega Crop) that will break down dead roots so they don't rot. You could also add a supplemental air pump to get more oxygen in the water.

also (sorry if this is obvious) make sure you completely cover any unused holes so that no light can get to the water reservoir.