CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142 
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Post by CatHerder on Mar 15, 2024 14:20:16 GMT -5
Well, I caved and bought a non-Aerogarden unit. First one. It's the AHopeGarden transparent bowl. I was in pain late last night (splayed my right thumb down the middle, through my nail, refinishing the front door) and needed some comfort, and it was 50% off on Amazon. BTW, it's really hard to type with your thumb in a huge bandage. I feel like I cheated on Aerogarden or something. It's a weird feeling. But it was only $45 and I really, really, really need to grow some catnip and have no available AG's. Our semi-feral cat that is immune to store-bought catnip went absolutely bonkers over the catnip I grew. . . So, it's medicinal, realistically speaking. . . Necessary, I would say. . . Which is what I'm telling my husband when it shows up in a few hours.  I saw the Aerogarden Experiments guy use them and I figured for $45 it's worth a try. Plus, Bishop really needs more catnip. Right?! But why do I feel like I should have just waited for another AG sale and buy one then?? Not that I still won't.... probably. |
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Post by scarfguy on Mar 15, 2024 14:47:30 GMT -5
It's ok cause it's for your cat.  |
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 841
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Post by slw on Mar 16, 2024 14:24:21 GMT -5
No biggie, CatHerder. I have three or four "knock offs", including one like you bought with the see-through water tank. It's an OK unit but the light seems a bit lacking. I have a bell pepper plant in it and the plant seems healthy but has only produced a single pepper. I'm thinking of terminating it and putting the garden into dry dock for the outdoor growing season.
One annoying thing is that it has a small watering opening; it's just as easy to use one of the pod openings to refill. I've had it going for a while now and no algae whatsoever. Enjoy your new garden. |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Mar 17, 2024 13:11:42 GMT -5
No biggie, CatHerder . I have three or four "knock offs", including one like you bought with the see-through water tank. It's an OK unit but the light seems a bit lacking. I have a bell pepper plant in it and the plant seems healthy but has only produced a single pepper. I'm thinking of terminating it and putting the garden into dry dock for the outdoor growing season.
One annoying thing is that it has a small watering opening; it's just as easy to use one of the pod openings to refill. I've had it going for a while now and no algae whatsoever. Enjoy your new garden. I agree with the light strength; I only wanted it for lettuce and catnip, so I wasn't too concerned with the wattage of the light for the price. My catnip plant is in a Sprout and it's huge, so I know it doesn't mind the low light. The one plant takes up the entire thing. I have a bonsai watering can that is very precise on pouring, so I'm ready to fill it when the time comes. I use it to water my Harvest XL with huge mighty mini tomatoes that are covering the watering hole. Makes it really easy. I didn't want to use my stronger lighted Bounties just for lettuce. Right now I have bell pepper plants in one and cucumber plants in the other.... and two tomato plants that really need to go outside as they're probably too big to move at this point. Ugh. Anyways, when the Bounty goes on a good sale, I'll purchase another one. It was between the AHG and a Rainpoint (?W) or Spider Farmer (36W) (based on AG Experiments guy recommendations). I fear the 'drain holes' in those units. With my luck, they'd leak and short out the other electronics below them. I can't find any reviews confirming my fear, but with my luck, it would happen to me. Do you have a favorite 'knock off'? (sorry if I shouldn't ask/post this question here) |
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Post by lynnee on Mar 17, 2024 14:01:09 GMT -5
Do you have a favorite 'knock off'? (sorry if I shouldn't ask/post this question here)Good question! I don't have any AG knockoffs now, but they may start looking more attractive if AG continues in the direction it went with the Harvest 2.0! CatHerder , this thread was just moved here from the General Board. |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Mar 17, 2024 15:00:17 GMT -5
No biggie, CatHerder . I have three or four "knock offs", including one like you bought with the see-through water tank. It's an OK unit but the light seems a bit lacking. I have a bell pepper plant in it and the plant seems healthy but has only produced a single pepper. I'm thinking of terminating it and putting the garden into dry dock for the outdoor growing season.
One annoying thing is that it has a small watering opening; it's just as easy to use one of the pod openings to refill. I've had it going for a while now and no algae whatsoever. Enjoy your new garden. I agree with the light strength; I only wanted it for lettuce and catnip, so I wasn't too concerned with the wattage of the light for the price. My catnip plant is in a Sprout and it's huge, so I know it doesn't mind the low light. The one plant takes up the entire thing. I have a bonsai watering can that is very precise on pouring, so I'm ready to fill it when the time comes. I use it to water my Harvest XL with huge mighty mini tomatoes that are covering the watering hole. Makes it really easy. I didn't want to use my stronger lighted Bounties just for lettuce. Right now I have bell pepper plants in one and cucumber plants in the other.... and two tomato plants that really need to go outside as they're probably too big to move at this point. Ugh. Anyways, when the Bounty goes on a good sale, I'll purchase another one. It was between the AHG and a Rainpoint (?W) or Spider Farmer (36W) (based on AG Experiments guy recommendations). I fear the 'drain holes' in those units. With my luck, they'd leak and short out the other electronics below them. I can't find any reviews confirming my fear, but with my luck, it would happen to me. slw (and anyone) Do you have a favorite 'knock off'? (sorry if I shouldn't ask/post this question here) |
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 841
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Post by slw on Mar 18, 2024 23:13:13 GMT -5
CatHerder --my favorite knockoff is the Spider Farmer system. It's the only one I would probably buy again. You may be familiar with the Spider Farmer brand since they make excellent grow lights, grow tents, etc. CLICK!
The SF has a 36 watt grow light, 6-liter tank, and a 12-pod deck. One drawback is that Aerogarden baskets don't fit in the deck which is annoying since I have tons of AG baskets. No trellis system but it has holes in the deck for support rods which are included. I have not used those. It has been a solid performer for about a year now. The drain plug does not leak; it is quite secure and honestly I have never removed it. I just use the dump-and-refill from the top method.
I have purchased a MUFGA, a Spider Farmer, a LetPot LPH-SE, an Idoo, and the Ahopegarden like yours.
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Mar 19, 2024 12:55:13 GMT -5
CatHerder --my favorite knockoff is the Spider Farmer system. It's the only one I would probably buy again. You may be familiar with the Spider Farmer brand since they make excellent grow lights, grow tents, etc. CLICK!
The SF has a 36 watt grow light, 6-liter tank, and a 12-pod deck. One drawback is that Aerogarden baskets don't fit in the deck which is annoying since I have tons of AG baskets. No trellis system but it has holes in the deck for support rods which are included. I have not used those. It has been a solid performer for about a year now. The drain plug does not leak; it is quite secure and honestly I have never removed it. I just use the dump-and-refill from the top method.
I have purchased a MUFGA, a Spider Farmer, a LetPot LPH-SE, an Idoo, and the Ahopegarden like yours.
Thanks! I did look at that one... but it has a drain hole so I passed on it. I may reconsider and try one if it gets discounted on Amazon. So far the plants I transferred to the Ahopegarden are doing well. |
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Post by AnnSako on Mar 27, 2024 16:57:44 GMT -5
Catherder--first step on the slippery slope!
Would love to see a pic of your traitor garden when it gets growing.
The "transparent bowl" sounds very interesting.
Take care of that thumb! Can you say you have a red thumb now instead of a green thumb?
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Post by lynnee on Mar 27, 2024 18:46:11 GMT -5
Catherder--first step on the slippery slope! Would love to see a pic of your traitor garden when it gets growing. The "transparent bowl" sounds very interesting. Take care of that thumb! Can you say you have a red thumb now instead of a green thumb? "Traitor garden"! How great is that?  |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Apr 6, 2024 15:10:18 GMT -5
Catherder--first step on the slippery slope! Would love to see a pic of your traitor garden when it gets growing. The "transparent bowl" sounds very interesting. Take care of that thumb! Can you say you have a red thumb now instead of a green thumb? Yes, it was red and purple for many days. Luckily it has healed well except for the fingernail isn't quite attached all the way down, so I 'catch' it on things sometimes. Eeek! When I got the A Hope Garden I transferred some lettuce and herbs to it. They did quite well. I ended up transplanting the herbs outside a few weeks ago (Zone 9b) along with my two Purple Reign tomato plants. All still alive and well - AMAZING! My very first outside garden in my entire life! I have tomatoes, sweet peppers and cucumbers inside in my Aerogardens and also outside now (four pepper plants, multiple cucumber plants and five tomato plants). Here's a picture of my A Hope Garden. I burnt the tips on the Parris Island because I think I overfed the Aerogarden nutrients in it. It came with those annoying A/B nutrients that I ignored and guessed on the Aerogarden amount. I perhaps was wrong because I've not had burnt tips on lettuce in my Aerogardens. If anyone can chime in on the proper amount, I'd be ever so grateful. I had to trim my cucumber plants in my Bounty and thought I'd see if I could clone the plants in the AHG, and so far (about ten days in) they are doing well. I may transplant them outside or plant them in my new Harvest XL I just bought on sale. Yes, it's an illness....   |
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Post by lynnee on Apr 6, 2024 15:34:54 GMT -5
How cool is it that you've started your first outdoor garden with Aerogarden seedlings, CatHerder!  Sometimes a plant that is languishing in an AG can be salvaged by moving it outdoors, too. I've had limited success in growing indeterminate tomatoes in Farms, but have ended up with tomatoes after transplanting.  So glad to hear that your thumb is better. That sounded like a truly nasty injury.  |
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Post by LoveSalads on Apr 6, 2024 16:36:05 GMT -5
Catherder--first step on the slippery slope! Would love to see a pic of your traitor garden when it gets growing. The "transparent bowl" sounds very interesting. Take care of that thumb! Can you say you have a red thumb now instead of a green thumb? Yes, it was red and purple for many days. Luckily it has healed well except for the fingernail isn't quite attached all the way down, so I 'catch' it on things sometimes. Eeek! When I got the A Hope Garden I transferred some lettuce and herbs to it. They did quite well. I ended up transplanting the herbs outside a few weeks ago (Zone 9b) along with my two Purple Reign tomato plants. All still alive and well - AMAZING! My very first outside garden in my entire life! I have tomatoes, sweet peppers and cucumbers inside in my Aerogardens and also outside now (four pepper plants, multiple cucumber plants and five tomato plants). Here's a picture of my A Hope Garden. I burnt the tips on the Parris Island because I think I overfed the Aerogarden nutrients in it. It came with those annoying A/B nutrients that I ignored and guessed on the Aerogarden amount. I perhaps was wrong because I've not had burnt tips on lettuce in my Aerogardens. If anyone can chime in on the proper amount, I'd be ever so grateful. I had to trim my cucumber plants in my Bounty and thought I'd see if I could clone the plants in the AHG, and so far (about ten days in) they are doing well. I may transplant them outside or plant them in my new Harvest XL I just bought on sale. Yes, it's an illness.... If your garden has a 3 liter tank looked like it in a picture I looked up. You would give it just shy of 9ml of AG nutes every 2 weeks. Use about 2.9ml per liter of water. Or 3ml per liter |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Apr 7, 2024 14:42:26 GMT -5
How cool is it that you've started your first outdoor garden with Aerogarden seedlings, CatHerder ! Sometimes a plant that is languishing in an AG can be salvaged by moving it outdoors, too. I've had limited success in growing indeterminate tomatoes in Farms, but have ended up with tomatoes after transplanting. So glad to hear that your thumb is better. That sounded like a truly nasty injury. Agreed! I'm so excited!! I'd love to share a photo of my Purple Reigns but they aren't in Aerogardens anymore. Also, the parsley, thyme and basil are doing well outside too but it's only in the 80's so far. I actually am growing chives from seed outside. I failed miserably growing it in two different Aerogardens. Weird. I'm fortunate because in Houston (Cypress area) there's really only a few months we can't grow outdoors. I just never knew how to get started. I have a young Orange Hat plant and AG heirloom cherry tomato plant in a Harvest XL so far. Hope I didn't over plant on that one. I started them in preparation that my AG mighty mini's will be done soon. I actually like the taste of them, they are very tomato-y and not too sour like I expected. I've read most people complain that they are. I made sure to hit them with CalMag throughout their growing stages, so maybe that helped. No idea. I walk by, grab a few of the ripest ones, and snack on them every day. Thank you - as am I. Now I can restart the refinishing of my front door this week. |
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Apr 7, 2024 14:48:44 GMT -5
Yes, it was red and purple for many days. Luckily it has healed well except for the fingernail isn't quite attached all the way down, so I 'catch' it on things sometimes. Eeek! When I got the A Hope Garden I transferred some lettuce and herbs to it. They did quite well. I ended up transplanting the herbs outside a few weeks ago (Zone 9b) along with my two Purple Reign tomato plants. All still alive and well - AMAZING! My very first outside garden in my entire life! I have tomatoes, sweet peppers and cucumbers inside in my Aerogardens and also outside now (four pepper plants, multiple cucumber plants and five tomato plants). Here's a picture of my A Hope Garden. I burnt the tips on the Parris Island because I think I overfed the Aerogarden nutrients in it. It came with those annoying A/B nutrients that I ignored and guessed on the Aerogarden amount. I perhaps was wrong because I've not had burnt tips on lettuce in my Aerogardens. If anyone can chime in on the proper amount, I'd be ever so grateful. I had to trim my cucumber plants in my Bounty and thought I'd see if I could clone the plants in the AHG, and so far (about ten days in) they are doing well. I may transplant them outside or plant them in my new Harvest XL I just bought on sale. Yes, it's an illness.... If your garden has a 3 liter tank looked like it in a picture I looked up. You would give it just shy of 9ml of AG nutes every 2 weeks. Use about 2.9ml per liter of water. Or 3ml per liter It's 4L according to the markings on the front of the bowl - so then 12ml would work (11.6ml) - Thanks for that! I gave it 8ml upon set up and another 2ml about a week later because the herbs (since transplanted outdoors) were pale in appearance. I guess I didn't add too much then, maybe I had the light too close? I try to keep it no closer than 2-3 inches. |
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Post by lynnee on Apr 7, 2024 21:38:41 GMT -5
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CatHerder
AGA Sprout
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat".
Posts: 142
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Post by CatHerder on Apr 8, 2024 13:51:27 GMT -5
Cool! I didn't see that section! Thanks! As soon as the rainstorm goes away, I'll get a good photo. Stupid rain messed up our chance to see the eclipse (only partial here). |
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