First Grow Ever...using Aerogarden

[K21701]

This is my first attempt so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. I suffer from severe insomnia so this is strictly for personal use so huge quantities are not needed. These are Auto Berry Feminized seeds...the biggest plant was started on Oct 1 and the other 2 Oct 14. I

 

[PurpleRhinoceros]

Hey K2,
the aerogarden is a pretty sweet deal. Disappointingly however they always need an oxygen boost. I recommend going to the pet store and buying some supplemental equipment.

Getting an extra air supply is a must. You might have to check around your local petstores, but some sell flexible airstones. Some are weighted pretty well and will snake around the bottom of your reservoir quite nicely.
1. Extra Air Pump
2. Extra Air line tubing
3. Large evenly distributing flexible Air stone

Aerogarden Nutrients can always get the job done. But have you considered buying anything off the shelf?

 

[K21701]

I am not using the nutrient tabs that came with it. i am using the ultragrow system which consists of ultramicro, ultragrow and ultrabloom and mixing ratios according to growth stage.


For my next attempt I am seriously considering purchasing a grow box as I have limited space and I think the lighting would be better.

 

[ChicagoMagic]

Did you germinate prior to planting? Or did you put it straight into the sponge?

 

[K21701]

Unfortunately I germinated in the sponge and the roots started growing toward the light...sometimes you learn the hard way! I had some slight stretching due to the lights not being close enough and have shorten the stem by gently removing them and replanting. They were shocked for a few hours but recovered nicely!

Here are some new pics after the fix...any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

View attachment 1224392View attachment 1224393View attachment 1224394View attachment 1224395View attachment 1224396

 

[assasinofyouth420]

Hell yeah it looks like you're off to a good start.

 

[K21701]

Thanks....I will be updating so any suggestions or pointers along the way would be appreciated!

 

[PurpleRhinoceros]

I'm pretty sure that those nutrients are from General Hydroponics and re-bottled and sold by that company for people to use in Aerogardens. I only say this, cause I too bought that once for my aerogarden. I don't know if knowing that it's possibly from Genhydro does you any good, but I know that shit works dandy.

The aerogarden can get the whole job done, but what i recommend doing is starting your plants in that, then buying a 1-3 gallon bucket and putting a small whole in the lid just enough to drop and aerogarden pod into.

So you can finish each plant on their own time. Having all three plants in the same reservoir means feeding them all the same nutrients even when some will be in different stages of life at different times than others. Any plastic container will do as long as you wrap it in electrical tape to keep light out. If you can tell from your aerogarden, it's nothing more than a bowl of water with a fishtank airpump pumping water into it.

What the aerogarden is really good for is starting your cuttings/seedlings in it. Then when you have a plant matured enough to be off by its own, it should be. It's easier to take care of your baby if by doing so you will not be hurting your other babies. Just my opinion on growing.

1. Bucket/Pitcher $2
3. Air Pump $10
4. Air Stone $5
5. Air Tube $3
Total _$20.
View attachment 1225759

Just instead of the net pot, you will have your aerogarden plug.

Aside from that fact that Aerogrow HAD to update their pumps because they just weren't good enough, the aerogarden is amazing with an added airpump+stone. It can clone amazingly and start seedlings up perfectly. But all in all you will want to move a flowering plant into it's own reservoir. So that you can attend to its ever changing needs. It's not an inconvenience or an expensive ordeal. It's just practical.

 

[ChicagoMagic]

The only concern i have is that 3 plants in the three pod doesn't seem like it'd be enough room to grow them till harvest. Unless you're re-planting them somewhere else. The root system in that reservoir is gonna be a mess and they're gonna get in the pump. I just ordered a 7 pod and i plan on just growing 2 plants in it, plus some basil lol

 

[PurpleRhinoceros]

The only concern i have is that 3 plants in the three pod doesn't seem like it'd be enough room to grow them till harvest. Unless you're re-planting them somewhere else. The root system in that reservoir is gonna be a mess and they're gonna get in the pump. I just ordered a 7 pod and i plan on just growing 2 plants in it, plus some basil lol

I heard basil is good for your lungs, especially if you smoke.

 

[K21701]

Thanks so much for all the advice. My birthday is Tuesday and my husband just bought me the grow box I wanted! It should be here by mid next week so I will be transferring my oldest girl as soon as it arrives with the other 2 ladies following about 2 weeks after.




THE LOWRYDER DELUXE GROW SYSTEM,Same as our original auto flower box but with dual carbon filters, lock and key. Comes with everything you need to grow, nutrients, both spectrums of bulbs(3 each),features 3 6500k ,3 2700k 100w eqv each, bulbs so can grow with BOTH SPECTRUMS that plants love, SWITCH BULBS WHEN READY , UNIT USES 3 AT A TIME PLUS SPARES more lumens than aerogarden deluxe, smell proof, light proof, personal garden,just pop in your seeds and watch it grow.

 

[PurpleRhinoceros]

Thanks so much for all the advice. My birthday is Tuesday and my husband just bought me the grow box I wanted! It should be here by mid next week so I will be transferring my oldest girl as soon as it arrives with the other 2 ladies following about 2 weeks after.
View attachment 1226243


THE LOWRYDER DELUXE GROW SYSTEM,Same as our original auto flower box but with dual carbon filters, lock and key. Comes with everything you need to grow, nutrients, both spectrums of bulbs(3 each),features 3 6500k ,3 2700k 100w eqv each, bulbs so can grow with BOTH SPECTRUMS that plants love, SWITCH BULBS WHEN READY , UNIT USES 3 AT A TIME PLUS SPARES more lumens than aerogarden deluxe, smell proof, light proof, personal garden,just pop in your seeds and watch it grow.

That's sorta funny. Maybe because I'm a guy, but most growers I know are doing everything themselves WISHING their wives would help them out and have an interest in their hobby. Kudos to you and your cooperative spouse.

 

[PurpleRhinoceros]

I really don't approve of multi-stage plant totes. It's really easy to put a splitter on an airtube and run each plant in their own bubbling plastic pitcher. The dollar store has black plastic buckets for a dollar at this time of year. Grab a 1gal, grab a lid, put a small whole in the lid, and drop the aeropod into the whole, add air and water, and viola a dwc bucket.

 

[legalizeme]

I'm retty much in the same boat--also growing for my own use only (spinal cord/back injury)! I LOVE my Aerogarden so far, and feel like I'm getting some mad crazy growth-- Do you have any new pics? I posted several a day or so ago, I think they're on my profile. To be honest, I have some problems understanding the interface, or whatever here, so I'm not having the greatest experience on Rollitup--and not finding the folks overly friendly or helpful like on Doobieburnin either. So, it you want to compare feel free to contact me.

Good luck!

 

[K21701]

I really don't approve of multi-stage plant totes. It's really easy to put a splitter on an airtube and run each plant in their own bubbling plastic pitcher. The dollar store has black plastic buckets for a dollar at this time of year. Grab a 1gal, grab a lid, put a small whole in the lid, and drop the aeropod into the whole, add air and water, and viola a dwc bucket.

I would love to be able to do that but I have a 17 year old son living with us and until we are able to live child free I have to keep it as concealed as possible.

 

[K21701]

I'm retty much in the same boat--also growing for my own use only (spinal cord/back injury)! I LOVE my Aerogarden so far, and feel like I'm getting some mad crazy growth-- Do you have any new pics? I posted several a day or so ago, I think they're on my profile. To be honest, I have some problems understanding the interface, or whatever here, so I'm not having the greatest experience on Rollitup--and not finding the folks overly friendly or helpful like on Doobieburnin either. So, it you want to compare feel free to contact me.

Good luck!

Keep posting your updated pics here and I will do the same. All plants are feminized auto berry. My big girl is 23 days in and is just showing the beginnings of starting to flower!!She will be moved to the new grow box in the next couple of days...the other 2 are 10 days in and are growing a bit slower due to the big one blocking their light. This should be resolved once she gets moved.

 

[assasinofyouth420]

Wow. Those babies look healthy. I cant tell if they have a touch of nute burn or a slight of CalMag def. I cant remember if you said if you had other lights but You are going to want some side lighting. The top couple of fan leaves will start soaking in more and more light and eventually grow to be an umbrella. Its already starting to happen on the big one. Now would also be a good time for LST. Sorry to sound like Im being so critical.

 

[K21701]

Not sounding critical at all...I have a grow box coming in the next couple of days so that should help with the lighting problem and not to sound stupid but what is LST? Still learning here so I appreciate all the help I can get.

 

[assasinofyouth420]

Low stress training. Is a method of tying your plant down to expose the lower nodes so they get more light. google it. Some purple have really impressive results from it. I waited too long for mine but it is still helping.

 

[Eyeofthebird]

I am new here and have just started some plants in my aerogarden. I have RSD/CRPS, a chronic pain nerve disorder, and had gotten on MMJ in Denver but moved to SC. So must grow my own. I am fretting with the light height limitation and there is no way to set it to a 12 hr light time without an extra timer. Now that I have seen the lowryder I am going to talk to my partner about getting one. However until that happens I would love any tips/tricks for the aerogarden! We have a major space issue as we are in a 1 bedroom apt with cats who LOVE to eat pot plants and we have to keep it in a walk in closet.