Peat's Guide to Hydroponics in the AeroGarden
Updated - 12th November 2010
I have put together a guide to using hydroponic nutrients in your AeroGarden.
They have been split into a number of parts - currently running at 4 :-
Part 1 - (Updated)
Basic guide to pH levels and measuring nutrient strength, along with items you need to buy.
Part 2 - (Updated)
The main event. Here you will find out how to mix-up the nutrients to the correct strength; tailored for the AeroGarden. Plant growth stages, handy tables and more.
Part 3 - (Updated)
Plant problems and nutrients. Comprehensive guide to plant problems caused by nutrient deficiencies/toxicities.
Part 4 - (No changes made)
How to grow using rockwool cubes in you AeroGarden.
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 11:27am
Peat
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 11:38am
#2
That's fine, I am going to re-write some of it though - add some more information...
---STOP PRESS --- Exclusive to this site only. 
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 11:57am
#3
YAY! Thank you thank you!
Oh, btw - I added a link to this forum topic to the "Aerogarden Lore | Nutrients" page.
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 1:24pm
#4
I'm glad you put them here, Peat, they are almost a bible for me. I have them printed but it's nice having acces to them, especially new, revised ones.
Thanks.
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 1:33pm
#5
Thanks Bruce.
I'm looking forward to seeing your new hydro gear, your going to be storming off and growing plants I can only dream about - or used to grow until I got shot of my gear. 
gisette - we need our grow tents now!
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 2:02pm
#6
I'm not sure my finances can withstand all this keeping-up-with-the-Joneses. (In either sense of Jonesing. 
)
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 3:10pm
#7
The stock market made me do it!! I lost about 60% of what I had and Maere has lost about 25% so far. We're not hurting (yet) but I pulled almost all my money out of the market 2 months ago and put it in a modest money market fund making all of 2.2% last I checked. We're making some major energy saving improvements to the house, giving a bigger payback than the market and laid some aside to enjoy, a salve for hard licks lately.
We are very, very fortunate. We retired early almost ten years ago and have no bills except for utilities and taxes. I would dearly hate to be making ends meet today with how the economy has gone south worldwide. My respect goes out to you Ginger for having a teenager to support and having the talent to go it on your own and survive. I'm in awe!
I probably should have gotten a taller tent like Ginger is looking at (I thought you were just looking at the 400w, roll of milar, closet setup, not a tent), mine is 48" tall but after using space for ventilation and lights plus some sort of hydro setup on the bottom, I'll have very little more headspace than the Deluxe gives me unless my hydro guy can pull off something low and spectacular.
Besides, I love new toys! :)
B
Thu, 2008/10/30 - 4:05pm
#8
Well... we'll see how well I make it through the downturn... My standard self-employed "one year's savings" is probably down 35% now. And the home value dropping too, of course, with no change in the mortgage - it's only my equity evaporating. 
I'm in awe that you managed to retire early at the peak of the IT boom. Nice! Me too young... and yeah, raising a kid single-handedly isn't compatible with the savings / retire early agenda. Actually, my generation probably isn't compatible with the retire early agenda...
I do love new toys. Just not so wise to buy them right now.
I look forward to enjoying your new grow cabinet vicariously!
Sun, 2008/11/02 - 6:28pm
#9
Maybe the market is turning and things will be looking up, who knows? I hope so for everybody's sake.
Back to liquid nutes - I've noticed the EC of my gardens creeping up after only a week of replacing the mixture. I've been replenishing them with the original mixes, using almost half a gallon between the peppers and tomatoes, they're thirsty! I tested my Bloom mix and it's at 2.3, just like when I started but the tomatoes were at 2.7 - 2.8 today and showing stress on the bottom leaves again so I drained half a liter and added plain 6.3 PH water to bring it back to where it should be. The peppers and herb garden have gone up about 0.2, nothing to worry about yet (I think) but I'll be using plain water to replenish for a while. Any idea what's causing this?
Sun, 2008/11/02 - 6:47pm
#10
I can answer that one Bruce, this is what I intended/should have added to my guide...
Generally, when the plant EC goes up it means the plant is transpiring (using) more water than nutrient. The EC level then climbs. Top off with water and not nutrient in this case.
I will be adding something along these lines in time.
Should I top-off my reservoir with plain water or nutrient solution?
In the Summer (or hot grow rooms), plants, in general, will take up more water than nutrients, thus causing the nutrient solution to become more salty. In the Winter time, the opposite will occur. Nutrient uptake will also be determined by the type of crop being grown e.g., tomatoes are heavier feeders than lettuce.
If you notice after a few days that the EC level in the reservoir is high and the water level has decreased then you should top up their reservoir with either plain water or a weak nutrient solution until the optimum EC level is reached. If you have noticed a drop in EC levels then a full strength nutrient solution should be used to top off the reservoir.
Yay.
Thanks for posting this, Peat!