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Post by cf on Jan 5, 2021 9:37:42 GMT -5
Newbie here, just opened Flickr so hopefully my photo will post. I planted Dill 25 days ago (new to Aerogarden, got a Harvest) and I don't know whether I have multiple Dill plants or just one with multiple shoots. It's robust, whatever it is! If these shoots are multiple plants, should I cull some out, or leave it as is?
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Post by clumsythumbs on Jan 5, 2021 10:55:33 GMT -5
If you look down at the base of your plant/pod you can tell if it is one or multiple. That looks like it may be more than one as my dill usually has a pretty thick stalk and branches out further up. I do not usually thin dill, as it not a super dense plant. I would suggest keeping it trimmed low, as it can get tall and gangly. There is a thread on the Herb board pinned to the top about how to prune/harvest each herb that is very helpful! link
It is look good!
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jan 5, 2021 11:04:55 GMT -5
I found some information (and will post in the Herb section separately) the following:
Harvesting dill is the same thing as pruning/trimming it. Cut it either 2 inches from the top down or cut an entire stem as low as possible. Always make sure to adjust your lights after cutting your dill. If your dill is now an inch shorter, you should also lower your lights by one inch.
Keep in mind not to harvest more than 1/3 of it to ensure that it will still have enough energy to grow back. If you are harvesting dill that is not growing in an aerogarden, make sure to water it the day before your harvest. This will hydrate the plant and also clean the leaves. If you are using an aerogarden, you can just spray a bit of water on the leaves.
With that said, maybe try not trimming at this time and if needed you can always cut some out at a later time.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jan 5, 2021 11:07:18 GMT -5
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Post by clumsythumbs on Jan 5, 2021 11:15:02 GMT -5
Haha like minds! That is good info Shawn; I was going to trying to explain, but could not find the words. With dill (and most herbs) I do find pruning down to where it meets the mainstem helps keep things nice and tidy. The Dill in an AG I find can be kind of wimpy/weak, but trimming down helps it regrow more hardy.
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Post by cf on Jan 5, 2021 11:49:42 GMT -5
Thanks all! So seeing the video clip in the link on Dill, it had a number of stems and she just pruned (harvested) in the same way I've been doing. So I think for the time being I'll leave them all be. There are no clear winners in terms of sturdiness, they are all showing new clusters of leaves down lower than the top "explosion" of leaves. So I think my question is revised. If I leave them until it just looks like time to cut down to a lower "new growth" type of cluster, am I making these stems fight with one another? Or can they all likely do pretty well as long as I don't let them favor too much height?
This is my first AG, a Harvest. Only 2 weeks into it, I ordered a second! (Talk about early addict!) I have a nice looking tomato plant on one side, and 3 herbs on the other (2 empties, covered by domes, around the Tomato. Plan is to move the Tomato into the 2nd Harvest (it's at PO so that would be later today) and start another 2nd tomato plant on the other side. That whole Harvest unit would then be just for the 2 tomato plants UNLESS people here can suggest a compatible 3rd to stick somewhere in between. Or even a 3rd tomato. Is there enough room to have 3 once they get rolling?
And then probably 6 herbs in the other unit. My Dill is as you see it, doing very well, it gains height visibly by the day. The Genovese Basil behind it seems to be doing well also, but that's the same question. I'm seeing 2-3 stems coming out of the pod hole and haven't eliminated any at this point. Seems possible that with Basil, maybe I should?
Thyme: OMG, don't know what to do with it. It's had 2, now maybe 4 leaves ( set, maybe 2 sets) that have remained about an inch down from the pod hole, seems to have no interest in growing any taller. Tiny leaves, they just remain the same, down there, day after day, no visible changes.
Just planted an Oregano and the Mint on the 1st. (Mint was missing from my starter set and a nice person threw in an Oregano when sending me the Mint). Nothing there yet, and not yet expected.
But all in all I'm SOOOOOOOOO IMPRESSED!!! with how the dill and basil are doing. In the middle of a New England winter.
Does anyone else in some weird way associate their AG plants with being almost like little pets? Or is it just moi? LOL.
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Post by cf on Jan 5, 2021 11:52:50 GMT -5
And while at it, and completely off topic, the forum format somehow stuck an avatar of a Sprout AG on my avatar. Since that gives the impression I have a different model (for what it may be worth), is there such another avatar for a Harvest? Just the plain ole harvest, not the 360 or Elite or Slim or other enhanced versions. (Sorry about off topic but no clue where a question like that would be appropriate.)
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harpo
AGA Sprout
Posts: 14
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Post by harpo on Jan 5, 2021 12:12:38 GMT -5
And while at it, and completely off topic, the forum format somehow stuck an avatar of a Sprout AG on my avatar. Since that gives the impression I have a different model (for what it may be worth), is there such another avatar for a Harvest? Just the plain ole harvest, not the 360 or Elite or Slim or other enhanced versions. (Sorry about off topic but no clue where a question like that would be appropriate.) Sprout AG just means your new to the forum. I'm not sure if it's tied to number of post or time on the forum but it will be one or the other.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jan 5, 2021 12:28:37 GMT -5
And while at it, and completely off topic, the forum format somehow stuck an avatar of a Sprout AG on my avatar. Since that gives the impression I have a different model (for what it may be worth), is there such another avatar for a Harvest? Just the plain ole harvest, not the 360 or Elite or Slim or other enhanced versions. (Sorry about off topic but no clue where a question like that would be appropriate.) Sprout AG just means your new to the forum. I'm not sure if it's tied to number of post or time on the forum but it will be one or the other.Yes you are correct. There are different ranks depending on post count. Sprout, Harvest, Bounty and Farmer. I will begin a new thread in the General Section. I am up for suggestions for ranks. Also that is the general avatar for the forum as well You can upload your own,.
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Post by clumsythumbs on Jan 5, 2021 12:30:47 GMT -5
Hi again cf. It sounds like you are up and running well!! Many/most of us can attest to getting several machines within the first few weeks (or even days) of starting, so you are in good company. A few thoughts: -I think it is ok to start tomatoes with your herbs, if you are moving elsewhere. Keeping them together during their life cycle, the tomatoes will likely steal all the nutrients from your herbs. -In a harvest I would not suggest more than 2 tomatoes. Depending on the type, that may even be pushing it. I have done 2 tomato or peppers together in a 7 (ultra) or 9 (bounty) unit fine. But if you are keeping together while young/small with the intent of moving...that is fine. -Also, you mentioned having domes over the empty spaces. I would suggest using the black spacer caps (if you have them). The domes are clear and will let light into your unit, potentially encouraging algae growth in the tank. If you do not have the black spacers, others have used foil, golf balls, anything that is not clear to block the holes. I may have misunderstood you, though, as your photo seems to have all spaces with pods. -In terms of the Dill, it seems like you are on track and doing well. I would not over prune, but I do not think the individual plants will keep with each other so long as they are around the same size (if one got really tall and you had to raise the hood, the shorter ones might get less light, or get really leggy and grow too fast and thin). I would prune as you need. Right now it looks like some time to let grow and get fuller. -The thyme is very bushy and the leaves are very small. Eventually it will look like a big tangled bush. The nice thing is you can harvest pretty sloppy and you will be fine. It grows much wider than it is tall; so fret not. How many days since you planted? It is sometimes slow, but once herbs get going they grow fast...often from morning to night. Also, are you keeping the clear humidity domes on until they are above the label? I keep them on until it looks like they are going to touch, then take off. If you remove the domes too early, sometimes the light it too powerful and can harm the delicate things. I have not necessarily thought of my AGs as pets, but I definitely think of all my plants as my children/pets/things to care for. Over the summer, I had a lot of plant life around my apartment and it made me feel very much like I was in a wonderful synergy of care-giving. The AGs can definitely be like pets-- go out of town for a few days or a week and you are scurrying to find someone to feed them and make sure they have water! As for the Avatar, that is the default (after 2 years, I still have the same). Many put photos and personalize. I have never figured out how to do this properly. The avatar is not necessarily indicative of what machine you have. Recently (not sure when), the board seems to have attached "levels/ranks" that correspond to machine sizes. So, for someone new to the site, you are designated "AGA Sprout"...then Harvest...then Bounty. In the last few days I went from a Harvest to a Bounty. This is just a fun way to liven up the board and make it more interactive. So, do not be thrown off by the avatar or rank. If you want to personalize the avatar you can do so under the "Profile" tab. For example, some members have photos of pets, or of their garden set-up, or another plant...it is totally up to you! You are up and running! I live in Upstate NY, so I second your enthusiasm for growing in the dead of Winter. Welcome to your new addiction!
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Post by clumsythumbs on Jan 5, 2021 12:32:25 GMT -5
Sprout AG just means your new to the forum. I'm not sure if it's tied to number of post or time on the forum but it will be one or the other. Yes you are correct. There are different ranks depending on post count. Sprout, Harvest, Bounty and Farmer. I will begin a new thread in the General Section. I am up for suggestions for ranks. Also that is the general avatar for the forum as well You can upload your own,. I can tell you that 500 seems to be the Bounty level, as yesterday I was a Harvest and today a Bounty (and I have just over 500 posts). In case anyone is curious
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jan 5, 2021 12:57:26 GMT -5
Yes you are correct. There are different ranks depending on post count. Sprout, Harvest, Bounty and Farmer. I will begin a new thread in the General Section. I am up for suggestions for ranks. Also that is the general avatar for the forum as well You can upload your own,. I can tell you that 500 seems to be the Bounty level, as yesterday I was a Harvest and today a Bounty (and I have just over 500 posts). In case anyone is curious
Go give your suggestions in the new thread I created
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Post by cf on Jan 5, 2021 16:40:19 GMT -5
Thanks to all, and especially to ClumbsyThumbs for the detail!
Just got home from picking up Harvest #2 and have set it up. YAY!!
What ISN'T very "yay" is that instead of the extra trouble of putting the new Harvest in the corner, I decided to just push it back and move the herb plants into the new Harvest so they'd be easily accessible. Well, when I pulled out the Dill, a bunch of roots were hanging off (have seen that before on youtube when showing cleaning their units, which didn't seem to hurt anything). EXCEPT a bunch of long stringy white roots separated off! As though attached to something inside the bowl maybe? I sure hope I didn't murder my Dill. This was not my finest choice of shortcuts as it turned out because of that.
Thanks for the intel on not using domes for empties. I'd seen video to do just that but you make sense. I've substituted other light-blocking things, and did that right away. What are black block caps? Where do I get them assuming they fit well. I'm using misc. lids from other things currently. Works for now.
I've only been harvesting/pruning the Dill's tall spindly shoots. In doing so I'm trying to favor the thicker, more abundant (though currently-teensy) new clusters which are down lower on the plant(s). I'm observing the caution to not whack off over 1/3 plant in general principal.
I meant the plants as pets, not the machine itself ;-) I do really appreciate how it does so much, but it's kind of a bright spot to go in and check on my "crops" and tell them how neat they are.
The thyme? I planted it on 12/10. Can't say it didn't germinate, there are 1-2 teensy weensy sets of leaves. But they are not growing taller or changing in any way. They're sort of like frozen in time.
My other concern: I just planted a 2nd Heirloom Cherry Tomato pod-basket. Its entire peat cone rose up inside the cone-basket, all the way up to the label, just floating there. Now I realize that's what I've been seeing since I planted the Mint a few days ago. Is that a problem? If so, solution?
Thanks much to all for your help!
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Post by clumsythumbs on Jan 6, 2021 14:54:33 GMT -5
Hi cf I am glad the info is helpful. It does seem like t e Thyme is maybe puttering out...I wonder if the light of another plant is blocking? Maybe try swapping spots (if even for a few days). If it dies or sputters, I would contact AG for a replacement. They are more or less the honor system so even if it semi-germinated and died off...I think they would replace. They have for me (but have not requested for some time...so they may have gotten stricter). As for the Dill, so long as there are still roots enough to touch the air and water, you are fine. Many trim roots and it is ok! The black spacers I am referring to are/look like this (the black things covering the empty holes). My Bounty and Ultra machines came with them and I got some from an AG kit I got. You CAN buy them through aerogarden or online, but most I think find homemade solutions-- I have seen golf balls, mill jug tops (so long as they are not clear), lids to other jugs, foil, tape... essentially you just do not want to let light get into the tank to avoid algae. I have had mixed luck in the Harvest (if you read any of my recent garden threads I have vented a lot) so that white deck attracts algae more than the black, older, larger units. 20201208_113411 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr As for the new pods...often because they are dry they float/bounce up. Once the water circulates, it ill get wet and sink down. Some folks soak or trickle water on them to help get them wet (you do not want to dislodge seeds though). The bottom where the seeds are is the area that needs to be wet/moist. I would not worry too much about the "bounce". If it is still dry after a day or two, you can maybe push and hold it down (gently) to let get wet... squeeze some water out of a cotton ball. Congrats on the second machine One thing I will say about the Aerogarden is that they are designed to be very "hands off", BUT for many of us (myself prime among them) who are prone to obsessing and tinkering, you can find yourself questioning every step of the way. The machines are designed to do the work, so I would not worry (too much)! That being said, I never heed my advice and most of the posting here is more or less "AGH! Things are not working how I want or assume they should!" The other thing is that it is a learn as you go process. The "fun" is to learn (and sometimes through failure) and then reapply next time and help others. I think one of the many things that unites the folks here is the love of learning and growing and getting help!! Glad you are up and running and so enthusiastic! I am really excited to see your gardens and progress!
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Post by cf on Jan 8, 2021 17:44:21 GMT -5
Hi cf I am glad the info is helpful. It does seem like t e Thyme is maybe puttering out...I wonder if the light of another plant is blocking? Maybe try swapping spots (if even for a few days). If it dies or sputters, I would contact AG for a replacement. They are more or less the honor system so even if it semi-germinated and died off...I think they would replace. They have for me (but have not requested for some time...so they may have gotten stricter). As for the Dill, so long as there are still roots enough to touch the air and water, you are fine. Many trim roots and it is ok! The black spacers I am referring to are/look like this (the black things covering the empty holes). My Bounty and Ultra machines came with them and I got some from an AG kit I got. You CAN buy them through aerogarden or online, but most I think find homemade solutions-- I have seen golf balls, mill jug tops (so long as they are not clear), lids to other jugs, foil, tape... essentially you just do not want to let light get into the tank to avoid algae. I have had mixed luck in the Harvest (if you read any of my recent garden threads I have vented a lot) so that white deck attracts algae more than the black, older, larger units. 20201208_113411 by Aaron Blasyak, on Flickr (I SNIPPED REPEAT OF PHOTO) As for the new pods...often because they are dry they float/bounce up. Once the water circulates, it ill get wet and sink down. Some folks soak or trickle water on them to help get them wet (you do not want to dislodge seeds though). The bottom where the seeds are is the area that needs to be wet/moist. I would not worry too much about the "bounce". If it is still dry after a day or two, you can maybe push and hold it down (gently) to let get wet... squeeze some water out of a cotton ball. Congrats on the second machine One thing I will say about the Aerogarden is that they are designed to be very "hands off", BUT for many of us (myself prime among them) who are prone to obsessing and tinkering, you can find yourself questioning every step of the way. The machines are designed to do the work, so I would not worry (too much)! That being said, I never heed my advice and most of the posting here is more or less "AGH! Things are not working how I want or assume they should!" The other thing is that it is a learn as you go process. The "fun" is to learn (and sometimes through failure) and then reapply next time and help others. I think one of the many things that unites the folks here is the love of learning and growing and getting help!! Glad you are up and running and so enthusiastic! I am really excited to see your gardens and progress! Hi Clumsythumbs--
First, thank you for hanging in with me as I get the feel of my AGs and for the plants since I've never grown herbs either. Also, my apologies for such late response, I've checked several times and "Participation" tab has been showing CF as Last Post. (I'm not used to this forum's software yet, and find a few things confusing, so am kind of feeling my way.)
Enthusiastic? YES!! I absolutely LOVE these AGs. I'm somewhat as you described (tinkering) by nature also, so these plants are sort of becoming like my babies, lol.
Thyme: Hmmm! I'm now seeing another set of starter leaves in addition to the one that's doing nothing, so I'm going to see if that progresses. If not, will contact AG for a replacement because I most definitely do want Thyme. But no light blocking it, it's in a good position and has been moved when Harvest #2 arrived. It's a "wait and see" for now.
Thanks for your info re the roots! The Dill is going freaking nuts. It's growing about 2" a day, to the point where I pruned (harvested) TWICE, today, as a result. I'll keep watch and try to get a feel for how a Dill plant(S) develop, then as per your suggestions, maybe cull out a main stem or two. None of them are telling me they're candidates yet (they all look robust) so I just need more time to sort of psych it out for lack of a better phrase.
I like the looks of those black caps. I'm using various jar/bottle lids for now. Interesting point about the white deck, makes sense. I will watch for signs of algae. If I see any, I assume it would be clinging green or something to the side wall? Or floating on the top? To clean it, are we talking washing, or a chemical?
Dumb question probably but the manual that came with my Harvests -- quite minimalist. I tried pulling on the pump plug and it's in there solid. Is that supposed to unplug? I'm not sure how to remove the whole bowl for water change regardless, and am reticent to force it only to find it isn't one that's meant to unplug. It has a twisting tab (flat vs. sticking out) but I don't know why. What's that all about? Oddly enough I haven't found a youtube vid showing how to empty and monthly clean the basic Harvest model which is what I have. They all show a different plug setup.
Floating sponges: From the unboxing of my first Harvest, I have dribbled a small bit of water into the label's hole. That didn't stop these new pods from floating, but they do seem better now. I"m glad to confirm it's not something to worry about though.
I am SO glad to find this forum, a lot of little questions come up when first starting out. I did try to call AG when I first got #1, but OGM said they're all working Remote and said to email. Reply took a week or better, but it feels like they're flat out. I much appreciate being able to ask questions.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Jan 8, 2021 20:40:01 GMT -5
I just love reading yuur posts. Your excitement sparkles through!
About the algae, yes, it's green. It will usually collect around the holes or top of the baskets. If you see any around the deck, you can wipe it off with a cotton ball or cloth moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide. If it's on the baskets, a q-tip might be safer. You can even put a teaspoon in your tank to keep algae from growing in the water or collecting in the little drippers in the holes.
I have only grown thyme twice. As I remember, it started very slowly, but later grew well. I liked it tumbling over the front of the deck.
Sometimes the pump connection is stiff. Just grip the little tab on the Harvest and give it a good tug up and it will come off. It helps if you pull the tank out a little to give your fingers more room.
We are really glad you found us, too!
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Post by cf on Jan 9, 2021 8:13:39 GMT -5
I just love reading yuur posts. Your excitement sparkles through!
About the algae, yes, it's green. It will usually collect around the holes or top of the baskets. If you see any around the deck, you can wipe it off with a cotton ball or cloth moistened with 3% hydrogen peroxide. If it's on the baskets, a q-tip might be safer. You can even put a teaspoon in your tank to keep algae from growing in the water or collecting in the little drippers in the holes.
I have only grown thyme twice. As I remember, it started very slowly, but later grew well. I liked it tumbling over the front of the deck.
Sometimes the pump connection is stiff. Just grip the little tab on the Harvest and give it a good tug up and it will come off. It helps if you pull the tank out a little to give your fingers more room.
We are really glad you found us, too!
Well that was a very warmy welcome, Sher, thank you! I much appreciate the nice sentiments! I'm assuming you meant I can put a teaspoon of 3% peroxide in the tank of water and nutes, correct? Obviously not just the teaspoon itself but I wanted to confirm that you really meant adding peroxide right into the water the plants live in. If that would retard the algae, that would be great except I wonder about eating raw herbs that have been floating around in a solution containing peroxide. I'd imagine it wouldn't hurt anything since 3% peroxide is used as a mouthwash but I just wanted to confirm. Okay, I won't worry about yanking out that plug. Good to know! Question about a complete reset of the AG Harvest: The morning after I added Harvest #2, I unplugged both machines and then plugged them back in together so they would both be on the same schedule for everything--lights on/off, 25 minute waterings and also alerts to add nutes... all matching. However, last night Harv #1 had a flashing light to add nutes. That's interesting because I first set up that machine on December 10th. That's 30 days from its very first plugin. Barring the coincidence of a reset timer's glitch or defect coinciding with the exact day it would have gone off if not reset, then it looks to me like it's still operating on the schedule of its very first activation, not that of a reset. Does that mean I didn't reset the entire works by way of unplugging and then replugging it after all? If unplugging it from the wall and then replugging it in doesn't define a completely new schedule covering all auto functions, how do I do that? I really want them playing in the same concert.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
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Post by Sher on Jan 9, 2021 8:54:38 GMT -5
cf, glad you feel welcome!
Yes, one teaspoon (5 ml) of 3% hydrogen peroxide. All it is is water with an extra oxygen atom. H202. When it breaks down, all you have is water and oxygen. Perfectly safe. However too much of it will harm your plant due to its oxidizing action before it breaks down.
But one teaspoon in the tank once a week will keep your tank cleaner and help prevent root rot. But you don't have to use it unless you are having problems.
Unplugging the basic Harvests doesn't reset their cycle. They retain the old schedule even if you start a new garden. The only way I have found to synchronize two machines is to not push the red add nutrient button. Just add the nutrients that are due and leave the red light blinking. When the other one starts blinking, empty them both, add new nutes, and only then press the nutrient lights. Then they will both turn green and be on a 14 day schedule.
If you have started a new garden and the add nutes comes on too early, based on the old cycle, just dump, add fresh water and nutes, press the nute button again, which will now be green and reset for 2 weeks.
The basic Harvests are very simple, but they are my favorite little work horses!
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Post by cf on Jan 9, 2021 10:14:22 GMT -5
Good to know about the hydrogen peroxide! That oxygen atom sure gives it a funky taste. I remember it when I got a tooth infection many years ago. It actually bubbled. Yuck!
Okay, so I take it there is no master reset. You reset notifications by just a press of the nutes button, and I learned last night when I pressed it, that it also reset its pump's 5 minute cycle which is now continuing on that schedule. The unplugging did also reset both machines' lighting schedule as well as both their pump s' 5 minutes schedules. So considering the auto functions, it appears that an unplugging resets the lighting and the pump watering schedule but not the nutes alerts. Yet touching the nutes button resets that but also the pump as well, too! Wow.
Meanwhile, I'm still confused about how the forum works. When I came on to it just now there was a numbers 2 over the word profile. I touched the word profile and it showed me a choice of seeing my posts or participated threads. Down at the bottom, however, either on that screen or another one after, it showed me "Dashboard." And under that it showed me you had tagged me and under separate entry, your reply both on this thread. Is dashboard what I should bookmark so I don't miss posts? And how do you tag somebody? And where would they see a tag but not also see a reply has been made to their post? Is there somewhere on the forum that explains all of this?
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Jan 9, 2021 10:43:14 GMT -5
Is dashboard what I should bookmark so I don't miss posts? If you want to see just new posts in threads that you've posted in, I would recommend the Participated link at the top. If you want to see all new posts, I would recommend the Recent Threads link at the top. And how do you tag somebody? If you use the @ symbol followed by someone's username, such as @username, then it becomes a tag. It can be confusing since the username is different from the name you see in the forums, but you can find it on their profile or if you quote a post from them, then you can find it there. A good example is Shawn, whose username is "admin", so you would have to do "@ admin" (without the space) if you wanted to tag Shawn. And where would they see a tag but not also see a reply has been made to their post? If someone was tagged in a post, then it shows up under Profile -> Notifications with a small number, like you saw with the 2.
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