AeroGarden Guide/FAQ v 2.0

[picklejr2]

good morn., i just got my ppm meter nd i did some reading last night, the waterin rez reads 356 and the water i have already ph'd and disolved nutes in read 735 was up with that , i kind of understand but i kind of don't. could someone please explain how this thing works?

 

[lurkmaster]

ppm in growing usually means parts per million and its the concentration of nutes.

ex 700 ppm is 700 'parts' for every million 'parts' of water.

 

[pnw42]

Hi all,

New to the site and psyched with all the great info on growing. This thread has been extremely helpful as I am getting ready to purchase an aerogarden set-up. I just want to know, and this may sound stupid, can I grow 1 or 2 plants from start to finish in the AG? Is there a way keep the plants small enough to finish in the AG? I am a little skeptical/nervous about buying lowrider seeds online! I don't have a lot of room to begin with. I am not looking for a big yield and would love to not have to buy a whole extra lighting set-up... I am new at this so be kind! By the way, I am planning on buying all of the recommended add-ons and nutes and bulbs, etc. Thanks for any info!!!!

 

[lopezri]

Hi all,

New to the site and psyched with all the great info on growing. This thread has been extremely helpful as I am getting ready to purchase an aerogarden set-up. I just want to know, and this may sound stupid, can I grow 1 or 2 plants from start to finish in the AG? Is there a way keep the plants small enough to finish in the AG? I am a little skeptical/nervous about buying lowrider seeds online! I don't have a lot of room to begin with. I am not looking for a big yield and would love to not have to buy a whole extra lighting set-up... I am new at this so be kind! By the way, I am planning on buying all of the recommended add-ons and nutes and bulbs, etc. Thanks for any info!!!!

I have to be honest with you. I started my grow in the AG as a newbie too. I was really excited about it. After the three and a half months of growing in it and all the extra add ons you have to get for it. .. you really are better off just building your own type of system with some 16 oz cups, a storage bin, some lights, and a mini water pump. You'll get frustrated with the AG. I'm a big advocate of the thing for growing different things but I have to admit I wouldn't do weed in it again. Maybe just to start them but then I'd transplant them into soil. Check out this site. . . it has some nice instructions on a home made set up. http://www.instructables.com/id/Hydroponics_grow_kits_DWC/

 

[pnw42]

I have to be honest with you. I started my grow in the AG as a newbie too. I was really excited about it. After the three and a half months of growing in it and all the extra add ons you have to get for it. .. you really are better off just building your own type of system with some 16 oz cups, a storage bin, some lights, and a mini water pump. You'll get frustrated with the AG. I'm a big advocate of the thing for growing different things but I have to admit I wouldn't do weed in it again. Maybe just to start them but then I'd transplant them into soil. Check out this site. . . it has some nice instructions on a home made set up. http://www.instructables.com/id/Hydroponics_grow_kits_DWC/

Thanks! I thought about that too. I'll def check that out.

Cheers

 

[MrAlex]

Hi all,

New to the site and psyched with all the great info on growing. This thread has been extremely helpful as I am getting ready to purchase an aerogarden set-up. I just want to know, and this may sound stupid, can I grow 1 or 2 plants from start to finish in the AG? Is there a way keep the plants small enough to finish in the AG? I am a little skeptical/nervous about buying lowrider seeds online! I don't have a lot of room to begin with. I am not looking for a big yield and would love to not have to buy a whole extra lighting set-up... I am new at this so be kind! By the way, I am planning on buying all of the recommended add-ons and nutes and bulbs, etc. Thanks for any info!!!!

You can def grow 2 plants from start to finish in the AG. If you have a small grow space, simply top the plants and they'll grow stouter. My buddy is budding some Purple Haze right now in an AG.. All he did was add some CFL's and switched to FoxFarm Nutes (or something similar) during flowering. He is 3 weeks into flowering and its been smooth sailin...

Unfortunately you def need to add the CFL's (extra lighting), the lumens are crucial... if you aint got em... NO NUGZ

I have to be honest with you. I started my grow in the AG as a newbie too. I was really excited about it. After the three and a half months of growing in it and all the extra add ons you have to get for it. .. you really are better off just building your own type of system with some 16 oz cups, a storage bin, some lights, and a mini water pump. You'll get frustrated with the AG. I'm a big advocate of the thing for growing different things but I have to admit I wouldn't do weed in it again. Maybe just to start them but then I'd transplant them into soil. Check out this site. . . it has some nice instructions on a home made set up. http://www.instructables.com/id/Hydroponics_grow_kits_DWC/

I disagree.... Dont let him discourage the AG.. its fuckin AWESOME... he is 100% correct when he says you can duplicate it for alot less... but you def wouldnt have to move the plants to soil if you start growing them in the AG.... either way GOOD LUCK ON YOUR GROW EVERYONE


Holler!

 

[sadiesue]

I've got to say, I LOVE my aerogarden!!! I wouldn't have gotten this far without it. Anyhow, with my added lights I've got buds popping left and right!! Sadly, I have 1 confirmed male!! I'm pretty sure I've got 2 females and 2 more are just still too immature to tell. I guess I shouldn't be so greedy. With the male gone, my girls will have more room and light. If it still is too crowded, I can safely move some babies outside now. Thanks for ALL the help!! I will keep you updated.

By the way, I had been using 1/2 the amount of recommended Fox Farm nutes and did great! I made the mistake of trying to use 3/4 and got some nute burn. Nothing I can't recover from, but just wanted to let everyone know, don't get greedy thinking upping the nutes will make for bigger buds like I did!!! I had to try, though....hahahaha!

 

[lopezri]

You can def grow 2 plants from start to finish in the AG. If you have a small grow space, simply top the plants and they'll grow stouter. My buddy is budding some Purple Haze right now in an AG.. All he did was add some CFL's and switched to FoxFarm Nutes (or something similar) during flowering. He is 3 weeks into flowering and its been smooth sailin...

Unfortunately you def need to add the CFL's (extra lighting), the lumens are crucial... if you aint got em... NO NUGZ






I disagree.... Dont let him discourage the AG.. its fuckin AWESOME... he is 100% correct when he says you can duplicate it for alot less... but you def wouldnt have to move the plants to soil if you start growing them in the AG.... either way GOOD LUCK ON YOUR GROW EVERYONE


Holler!

I'm not saying you'd have to move the plants. Hell. . . I'm growing in my AG right now. I'm just saying that if I had had the opportunity to actually see what the AeroGarden is all about and how simplistic it really is, I would have tried to replicate it on my own rather than dropping $150 into something already made. You could probably get away with dropping $60-100 at Home Depot or Lowe's and basically make the same thing without the hassle of trying to set-up all the add-ons.

Just my opinion. . .

 

[lurkmaster]

I have to be honest with you. I started my grow in the AG as a newbie too. I was really excited about it. After the three and a half months of growing in it and all the extra add ons you have to get for it. .. you really are better off just building your own type of system with some 16 oz cups, a storage bin, some lights, and a mini water pump. You'll get frustrated with the AG. I'm a big advocate of the thing for growing different things but I have to admit I wouldn't do weed in it again. Maybe just to start them but then I'd transplant them into soil. Check out this site. . . it has some nice instructions on a home made set up. http://www.instructables.com/id/Hydroponics_grow_kits_DWC/

The only real upgrade is lights.

Compare an AG res to a DWC drip feed kit at say.. HTG supply. Its about the same price, and its smaller. Plus AG comes with grow medium and nutrients if you want them. It also works great as a cloner, I have moved out of my ag into something a little bit bigger but I still use mine, I have successfully rooted 2 clones (2 tops of my plants) using the AG with tap water and a clear plastic cup. It was worth the money because I learned alot using it, and it still has its uses for smaller plants you are just starting out.

 

[pnw42]

You can def grow 2 plants from start to finish in the AG. If you have a small grow space, simply top the plants and they'll grow stouter. My buddy is budding some Purple Haze right now in an AG.. All he did was add some CFL's and switched to FoxFarm Nutes (or something similar) during flowering. He is 3 weeks into flowering and its been smooth sailin...

Unfortunately you def need to add the CFL's (extra lighting), the lumens are crucial... if you aint got em... NO NUGZ

Wow, thanks! Appreciate all of the feedback. I spent the better part of yesterday researching homemade hydro rooms, boxes, hempy buckets... All seem awesome and seem to produce good results. I am just too busy right now to drive an hour to HD and purchase all of the stuff when I can spend an extra 50-100 bucks and get pretty much everything I need in the mail. Plus it looks to complicated for me personally as a first time grower. Also, I have no place to set up a room or a big, bulky(suspicious) box. My girlfriends family is NOSEY as hell and are always over poking around! Not only that but half of our house is under construction and we are expecting electricians/plumbers to be in and out for the next couple of months, not good! I'm planning on planting basil along with my plant(s) JUST IN CASE anybody happens to find my AG. I am also doing this for my girl who doesn't smoke(and loves fresh basil!) but respects my decision to do so. It's kind of a trade off i guess. Does anyone know if it is ok to grow buds and herbs together in the AG? I'm not looking for an easy way out... oh wait, yes I am! No really, I would do the whole DIY thing, but just don't have a "place" or time. Maybe if this works out, I'll be able to rig something together in the near future.

Also, will I have to buy a seperate lighting rig? Or just replace the bulbs that came with the AG with stronger ones?

Thanks again all, you rock! Good luck with your grows.

 

["SICC"]

I've got to say, I LOVE my aerogarden!!! I wouldn't have gotten this far without it. Anyhow, with my added lights I've got buds popping left and right!! Sadly, I have 1 confirmed male!! I'm pretty sure I've got 2 females and 2 more are just still too immature to tell. I guess I shouldn't be so greedy. With the male gone, my girls will have more room and light. If it still is too crowded, I can safely move some babies outside now. Thanks for ALL the help!! I will keep you updated.

By the way, I had been using 1/2 the amount of recommended Fox Farm nutes and did great! I made the mistake of trying to use 3/4 and got some nute burn. Nothing I can't recover from, but just wanted to let everyone know, don't get greedy thinking upping the nutes will make for bigger buds like I did!!! I had to try, though....hahahaha!

srry to hear about the male

they usually show first, so im sure the other a female! keep us posted and good lucc

 

[TokeD.]

Wuts craccin everybody?!! I read somewhere online that if you switch to a longer night cycle while budding, (say 10 on 14 off) it'll stop the plant from growin a bit. Can anyone confirm or deny this? I'm goin into my 5th week of buddin and this thing wont stop growin. I've been trainin the hell out of it but she's still reachin for the ceiling. Any thoughts?

 

["SICC"]

not too sure man, probably a sativa dominate, look into LST, dont fuc with the light cycles

 

[sadiesue]

"srry to hear about the male

they usually show first, so im sure the other a female! keep us posted and good lucc "



It happens, just disappointing to give them all that love just to have to kill him off
I know for sure I've got 2 females. My first grow, I really didn't know which was which, so I just kept them far apart. I had the sex backwards as I thought the pistons were little d**ks!! HAHAHA!! Seems silly now, but I wonder how many newbies made that mistake?!?

Anyway, I'm excited because this will be my first grow done entirely indoors. No more wintertime blues!!! I know each time it will only get better, so I'm stoked!! Not saying there won't be disappointments along the way........but I'll put in a few more seeds and move on!! Thanks again for the help and I love the encouragement everyone extends to each other in here!!

 

[crkr86]

Hey Everyone,
Im two weeks in, wondering about root growth. Not an issue now but i was trying to be pro-active; I was wondering if anyone has any trouble with the amount of root growth overfilling the rez. Should i invest in a root basket or something or will the roots still be able to survived all twisted and shit? Thanks!

 

["SICC"]

should be fine, i had 5 plants in my AG, never clogged or anything, i mean you can pull off the same numbers with and AG you could with anything else, make the right mods, poper lighting, nutes and grow it right, you can do anything

 

[MrAlex]

I'm not saying you'd have to move the plants. Hell. . . I'm growing in my AG right now. I'm just saying that if I had had the opportunity to actually see what the AeroGarden is all about and how simplistic it really is, I would have tried to replicate it on my own rather than dropping $150 into something already made. You could probably get away with dropping $60-100 at Home Depot or Lowe's and basically make the same thing without the hassle of trying to set-up all the add-ons.

Just my opinion. . .

I agree with that...

 

[MrAlex]

You can def grow 2 plants from start to finish in the AG. If you have a small grow space, simply top the plants and they'll grow stouter. My buddy is budding some Purple Haze right now in an AG.. All he did was add some CFL's and switched to FoxFarm Nutes (or something similar) during flowering. He is 3 weeks into flowering and its been smooth sailin...

Unfortunately you def need to add the CFL's (extra lighting), the lumens are crucial... if you aint got em... NO NUGZ

Wow, thanks! Appreciate all of the feedback. I spent the better part of yesterday researching homemade hydro rooms, boxes, hempy buckets... All seem awesome and seem to produce good results. I am just too busy right now to drive an hour to HD and purchase all of the stuff when I can spend an extra 50-100 bucks and get pretty much everything I need in the mail. Plus it looks to complicated for me personally as a first time grower. Also, I have no place to set up a room or a big, bulky(suspicious) box. My girlfriends family is NOSEY as hell and are always over poking around! Not only that but half of our house is under construction and we are expecting electricians/plumbers to be in and out for the next couple of months, not good! I'm planning on planting basil along with my plant(s) JUST IN CASE anybody happens to find my AG. I am also doing this for my girl who doesn't smoke(and loves fresh basil!) but respects my decision to do so. It's kind of a trade off i guess. Does anyone know if it is ok to grow buds and herbs together in the AG? I'm not looking for an easy way out... oh wait, yes I am! No really, I would do the whole DIY thing, but just don't have a "place" or time. Maybe if this works out, I'll be able to rig something together in the near future.

Also, will I have to buy a seperate lighting rig? Or just replace the bulbs that came with the AG with stronger ones?

Thanks again all, you rock! Good luck with your grows.

Just go to home depot and by some $8 clamp lights... and some $1 Y-splitters... and add it to the AG lights... bingo bango

 

[crkr86]

Thanks all. Also was wondering if there was any debate as to which setting to use. Consensus says tomatoes, any other thoughts??

 

[MrAlex]

Thanks all. Also was wondering if there was any debate as to which setting to use. Consensus says tomatoes, any other thoughts??

salads and greens - runs AG pump 24/7