Originally Posted by
Prk543
http:///forum/post/2880173
I have an aerograden 7, or classic I am not sure what they are calling now. Mine Works really well, and I have had a lot of success with the kits. I have grown the Italian Herb seed kit and the Salsa garden seed kit. After the plants sprout you will have to pick out the strongest plants and cut down the weaker plants in the seed pod, if you don't then the plants will end up competing with each other for resources. The salsa garden kit was probably the most fun it comes with two cherry tomato plants and one mini pepper plant. The only downside to this kit is you need to pollinate the plants in order for the tomatoes and peppers to grow.
Oh yeah and with the herb kit, you will need to keep the basil trimmed, It can grow pretty wild, and after a few weeks, you will have all the fresh herbs you need. As long as you keep adding nutrients, water and the thing it plugged in, you should be good.
As far as working the aerogarden, its really easy. The base and light are contained in one unit, and the plants grow in a removable self contained "grow surface" that includes a water reservoir, and pump. The lights and pump are timed according to the setting on what you want to grow. Maintenance is easy, just prune the plants as needed, the light raises as the plants grow (the smell of burnt basil gets old after a day or two... trust me), you can top off the water using tap water as often as you want to or as indicated by the base unit, and add nutrients to the reservoir every two weeks, the base unit will also indicate when these are needed.
The only real gripes I have about my aerogarden is that if you over fill the water reservoir it can overflow onto the surface that it is sitting on... I almost ruined the table mine was on, and that when you clean the reservoir out between seed kits, I have found even with the prefilter on the pump inlet, roots still get into the pump and it is difficult to take the pump apart and clean it.
Every one I know really enjoys theirs. My dad and I have also found that if it is set to run at night it makes a really great night light!
I hope this helps. I really enjoy having mine, and its nice to have in my apartment because I don't have much luck with potted plants.
Prk543
Wow, thanks for all the info!! What kind of nutrients do you have to add and how did you pollinate the plants?