High tech, low tech

[jackb]

Today Ava and I built something called an Aeroponic unit, which can best be described as an Aerogarden on steriods. The plants are suspended in a container and nutrients spray around within the container providing an oxygen rich humid environment for the root systems.



We planted red salad bowl lettuce seedlings in our unit for our first grow.



A timer will turn the pump on and off in 30 minute cycles 24/4, while another timer controls the grow light for 16 hour cycles.



We had plants left over and Miss Ava said: "Pop, can I plant some in dirt?" High tech is OK, but I think she still enjoys digging.



jacb

 

[Smart Red]

That looks a lot like my "Daisy 8" cloner. Same theory, but rooting compound is included with the water and misted on cuttings throughout the time.

 

[jackb]

That looks a lot like my "Daisy 8" cloner. Same theory, but rooting compound is included with the water and misted on cuttings throughout the time.

Red, it is exactly the same as your Daisy 8. I use several different spay systems though, some mist, some spin and some simply spray. For nutrients I use inexpensive Expert Gardener from Wally World, very dilute though. You can use your Daisy 8 to grow also, it will do a fantastic job on basil. Just find some 2" net pots if you don't have them.
jackb

 

[jackb]

After seven days in the aeroponic system the red salad bowl lettuce plants are progressing nicely. The main benefit of a system like this is that it is small, easy to maintain and can be used indoors all year round, or in the greenhouse during the growing season.

 

[jackb]

Ava asked: "Pop can we grow lettuce in a pot?" I told her to plant some and find out, and she did the day we built the aeroponic unit. She is coming tomorrow to spend the week end, it should be interesting to see her reaction when she sees her experiment.

 

[Carol Dee]

@jackb How wonderful you and Ava enjoy growing together. I think you should let her play in the dirt all she wants.

 

[jackb]

These plants are the same variety lettuce, started the same day. One planted conventionally in soil and six grown hydroponically. The photos illustrate the difference in both growth and coloring between the two growing methods.

 

[catjac1975]

Ava's getting big!

 

[jackb]

She was here for a sleep over last weekend, helping in the greenhouse and in the yard. Now she wants me to put in a garden at her house, so we purchased and started cucumber, zinnia and marigold seeds, which she selected. Also, we bought her a cedar raised garden and I am building a trellis for her cucumbers. She keeps calling asking when I am going to put in her garden and plant something. Unfortunately, New York is still frigid, tonight 28 degrees and right now snow flurries are blowing in the breeze. She is really excited about having her own garden, so I am going to do whatever it takes to encourage her interest.

 

[thistlebloom]

Every kid should have a grampa like you Jack.