Aerogarden Update

Ok, has been a while since I posted an update. My plants are exactly 69 days old today . I started flowering on December 10th, so my plants have been flowering for 45 days now. I planted 1 seed in each of the 7 pods that are in the Aerogarden, and all 7 of the seeds sprouted. The seeds I had were collected over time from various bags..all of it very high-quality stuff. The type of stuff that you are lucky if you actually find a seed to begin with.

Anyway, so out of the 7 seeds, 5 turned out to be females. When the males showed, I let the best looking/smelling one grow just long enough to collect a bit of pollen on a q-tip and rub it up against a few smaller bud sites on one of the females. I figured what the hell, might as well see what happens. Low and behold, now a few of the buds have some seeds..I counted them a while ago and saw that there were about 10 seeds total.

I can easily tell the difference in strains...with 4 of the 5 plants being of a strain that I think is unsuitable for my setup with the Aerogarden. They are all stems and stalks, and the flowers that are there are growing at a very slow rate. So I think the particular strain is both an outdoor strain, and also a long flowering straing...not good at all for my setup. I had to keep topping them to kepe them from growing beyond the light-hood of the Aerogarden. However, it looks like they are done growing vertical for now, and are starting to fill out the buds more...just at a very slow rate.

However, the 1 plant , which happens to be the one I rubbed with pollen, is pretty amazing. The smell alone coming off the flower tops is extremely pungent.

Ok, so all of the plants were topped shortly before flowering and have been HEAVILY pruned to keep them from crowding. Also keep in mind that I kept all the plants within the height-range of the Aerogarden hood..although next time I won't do that , nor will I use all 7 pots (I will explain in my final "review" once i'm done). So, all of these plants are about 16" tall...

So here is the one "good" plant that came out of the bunch. It has 6 main colas (since it was topped, the side branches are also at the same level as the two main colas) , and a few smaller branches. Almost each of the 6 branches is totally covered in sticky, crystaly , sweet and skunky aromatic buds.

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Here's another:

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Here's some of the "sticks and stalks" buds...which are clearly not meant to stay short and phat. These plants want lots of room to stretch out. They smell nice tho, but not even the same caliber strain as the plant above.


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Anyway...loooong update...I imagine I got another 2+ weeks to go with my 1 good plant, and who knows..maybe another 1+ month with the other sticks before they turn into buds....they are growing about 1/4 the rate as the 1st plant. Another update soon!

another image I meant to post previously.....

Nice buddy.....I wonder if you see what I've been talking about with size....

It looks like you have learned a lot from this experience and I know that your nect grow will be that much more better....This same statement applies to me

I am so happy to see that your method is so different than mine.... i.e. The lighting hood height, topping, 5 females!

One thing we do have in common is the two different strains in our garden....I ended up with 2 females...one big and stretchy the other more smaller....A good small strain would def go good in the aerogarden...

I've got some misty just waitin for a shot at the aerogarden...

Well You've got a good amount of time left I'd say 60-80 days of flowering
I was more around 70-80 days of flowering...

Peace
-Tek

yea, the size was harder to manage with the plants on the right. The one plant on the left was topped once and stopped growing vertically just exactly at the right height.

I ended up having to top the plants on the right a few times to keep them from growing into the light..but now finally they have stopped growing vertically and are starting to fill out the buds.

It definately was pretty cool to see everyone's different approach to using the AG and can't wait to see how our stuff turns out next time! You got your Misty, and I have my super-unknown crazy crossbred strain that I will be growing next (this plant below, crossed with an unknown great looking/smelling male in my crop), it should be very interesting!

Here is one more pic. Yes...that is little pieces of torn up white laminated cardboard on the base of the AG. In retrospect, I should have gotten the WHITE one instead of the black one. The wooden stick is a base from a standard plunger, lol. It is exactly the right height to prop up the hood of my Aerogarden (when fully extended, the hood tends to want to flop forward slightly, so this gives me a litle extra height):

Cool man It looks very nice and tasty, try out those seeds and if theyre any good you gotta send me one haha....

Your going to love smoking your own grow...

Later
Peace
-Tek

Hell ya, will do...same with you You'll have to let me know how the Misty ends up

I'm trying AK47 Canadian in the AG.

Sprouts after four days.

I wannt to start some more seeds in the "spacer holes". Did you order more seed pods from aero garden? In what medium did you place the seeds? Which plant did you set the machine to grow? I'm using the herb setting now. Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

Hi

also using the aerogarden with nice results. one problem, iam getting ready 2 flower and live in a small studio. I will not be able to provide total darkness for about 3 of the 12 hours. Is it ok to 'cover' my plant or the entire aerogarden four that period of time. any ideas greatly appreciated

thanks

surfgirl

Yea sure, whatever you have to do to keep the light out....

Peace
-Tek

I'm trying AK47 Canadian in the AG.

Sprouts after four days.

I want to start some more seeds in the "spacer holes".

Questions for any aero-gardener:

Did you order more seed pods from aero garden? Did you substitute anything for the seed pods? Sponge for instance? What is rock wool?

Which plant did you set the machine to grow? I'm using the herb setting now. Any advice much appreciated.

When do you go 12/12?

Sorry for the stupid questions.

Thanks, Mike

Id say the main issue was not enough light. The aero garden really isnt good for growing weed.Its a basic setup that for less then $40 you can build the correct 1 at home then take the extra $100 bucks and get the right light and have a 6 site system that is correct.The foil was a bad choice for a reflective area also. Its like 55% reflective would have been better off with white posterboard around it.But was interesting to see someone try these things

AeroGardens rock for sprouting or cloning... Let em get 12 - 16 inches tall, and move them to a full blown flower room in a larger DWC or drip setup. AG's get the plant started well, easy to control 1 gal res for perfect PH'ing and nutes. quick res changes if/when needed.

For more sponges and aerogarden materials, order 'The Master Gardner' replacement kit for the Aerogarden. I couldnt find anything close enough to the aerogarden growing medium at 3 hydro grow shops.

you can cram the 2 CFL lights right up to the tops.
2 - 3 plants max, up to 12 - 16 inches


I agree though, if you can, build your own... These are a little expensive, but if you already have one, they work well.

I didn't understand what you meant when you said : "you can cram the two CFL lights right up to the top" By that did you mean you can cram the plants right up to the lights?

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

Mike

I recently moved to a new state & lost my source. I'm growing again for the first time in many years. Christ ! How the technology has changed.

yup, as long as the CFL is not touching the leaves, they shouldnt burn from heat.

Got it Free PHX.

Thanks, Mike

What PLANT SETTING in the AG are you using ????

Thanks, Mike

salad greens for all phases... thats keeps the pump running 24/7.
use an independent timer and plug for the lights.

I wouldnt recommend flowering in these, your yields will be light and fluffy.

When it is set to salad greens and the pump runs 24/7 do the lights remain on 18/6 ? I'll put the seperate cord on the hood when I want the lights to stay on for different lengths of time.

Thanks, Mike

Dont know, i hooked up my own timer to the lights the day i got it.

The manual doesnt say what each setting does. you will just have to try and see...

Are you using any other light other than the supplied Aerogarden light?
P.S Has got acquainted with the girl, cPanel®, how it to you? Only it is fair!