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Post by orangetabbys on Nov 18, 2018 19:01:01 GMT -5
Im getting an aerogarden for xmas and some heirloom tomatoes with it. I want to prep so im ready for caring for them properly. Through the reading on here i see alot of people use calimagic and check the ph or other levels. Would it be wise to buy the calimagic and ph tester? What other items would be of benefit with tomatoes?
And as a side thought do herbs and lettuce benefit from the calimagic?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2018 19:11:01 GMT -5
would highly recommend growing them 'by the guide' first. Others use additives because they weren't getting optimum results with their water, or have learned by experience how to doctor things up. I always say to those who are growing for the first time 'More is not better'. Grow by the guide and then go from their from what YOU have learned to better your projects.. We share products here, but that doesn;t mean that what works for one will work for all. I make it a rule to keep my projects as simple as I can when it comes to nutrients .
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nick
AGA Bounty
Posts: 555
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Post by nick on Nov 18, 2018 19:22:00 GMT -5
I ruined three tomato plants by trying to do too much too soon. A fourth barely survived the assault. So, I agree with starting with AeroGarden nutrients on the first grow. The AG-branded pods will do just fine with their nutrients and nothing else.
What I do find helpful are pH test strips and a TDS meter that autocorrects for temperature. Both inexpensive and worth having.
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nick
AGA Bounty
Posts: 555
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Post by nick on Nov 18, 2018 19:22:53 GMT -5
Oh! And also the AeroGarden bee vibrator thing. It isn't necessary but it makes pollination foolproof.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2018 8:57:12 GMT -5
I ditto nick about the Be the Bee pollinator ..it is great! Mike also uses the back of an old electric tooth brush...same thing.
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Post by drbanks on Nov 19, 2018 9:11:05 GMT -5
Yes, start with the Bee polinator, and starting out with AG nutes on an AG kit is just fine.
I'm a big fan of CaliMagic, but after checking my pH a few (too many) times, I eventually determined that the pH will take care of itself with just about any nutes if you r&r regularly.
I have found that CaliMagic will "awaken" a plant that's slow to blossom, but that it's not absolutely necessary.
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Post by orangetabbys on Nov 20, 2018 16:35:04 GMT -5
I see r&r on here alot but i only know what it means in reference to humans and animals. I picked up a bee pollinator, as well as a cheaper version of the siphon someone somewhere mentioned from amazon. Trouble trouble carrying the whole bowl to the sink to dump.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2018 21:44:18 GMT -5
siphons are so handy!...even the one started by sucking on the tube to get them started. R&R..I call it rinse and refill(better called a dump and fill)...I dump all my water and then refill with plain or nuted water. I still think Rest and Relaxation when I see R&R.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267 
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Post by Shawn on Nov 21, 2018 4:03:19 GMT -5
R&R is a Rinse and refill but like Corinne, I call it a D&R Dump and refill but still tye R&R since everyone else uses that as well.
The one I have is not longer on Prime, but they have others that are. This is the one I have. If you go on Amazon and look for battery Operated Siphon and look for one like mine, you can get then for $12 or higher. I paid $16 for mine three years ago.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2018 8:32:16 GMT -5
R&R is a Rinse and refill but like Corinne, I call it a D&R Dump and refill but still tye R&R since everyone else uses that as well.
The one I have is not longer on Prime, but they have others that are. This is the one I have. If you go on Amazon and look for battery Operated Siphon and look for one like mine, you can get then for $12 or higher. I paid $16 for mine three years ago.
Amazon is offering it today(11/21 )for $13.88 and Free Shipping! Great buy!
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Happy
AGA Bounty
Posts: 506
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Post by Happy on Nov 21, 2018 11:54:01 GMT -5
He he. I like Rest and Relaxation. Perhaps we should save R&R for Rest and Relaxation and use the term "D&R."  |
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
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Post by MaryL on Nov 21, 2018 13:44:20 GMT -5
D&R reminds me of a medical procedure I wouldn’t want to have  , lol. 95% of the time I do actually rinse the basin when dumping at the kitchen sink so R & R is accurate for my habits. The only time I truly dump the water without a rinse is when it’s a long established, huge tomato or pepper garden that would be dangerous to move (dangerous to both me and the plant limbs) and I use the siphon. So to get back to your question, I agree with others that a siphon, Bee the Bee and a TDS meter would be useful to have. The meter is probably the least necessary, but useful under certain circumstances. Apropos of nothing, I recently dropped my Bee the Bee in a pot full of water that was in the sink. I fished it out immediately but it still stopped working.  |
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, lol. 95% of the time I do actually rinse the basin when dumping at the kitchen sink so R & R is accurate for my habits. The only time I truly dump the water without a rinse is when it’s a long established, huge tomato or pepper garden that would be dangerous to move (dangerous to both me and the plant limbs) and I use the siphon.