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Post by daisybelle on Feb 24, 2023 10:35:40 GMT -5
I'm trying to get everything bought so that I'm organized. My lettuce is growing, it's tiny but already a brown spot on one of the leaves, which I'm reading is common and that you need to have fans on lettuce. But it's way too early for that, I still have my domes on. But, when I do purchase a fan, which should I buy. A clip on similar to this? Clip on Fan
Or an oscillating similar to this? Oscillating FanWhat I really like is this one, but it doesn't oscillate, so I suppose I need to pass. How important is it that it oscillates? Retro Fan
And finally, I don't know when I actually start needing a fan, if it's when I take off the domes, won't a clip on fan be too low to my plants? I have Harvest Units, an Ultra and a 360. It seems like every step I take I get confused and I apologies for all of these questions, I just want to purchase the right thing. Larger fans or tower fans aren't an option for me, I want a fan that looks aesthetically pleasing as well as getting the job done. Thanks once again, you all are so knowledgeable and so helpful, it's much appreciated. |
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267 
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Post by Shawn on Feb 24, 2023 10:55:38 GMT -5
Hello,
One thing to note is never let the seedlings touch the domes. That can cause browning on the edges of the leaves. Always the them off before the seedling touch.
As for a fan, it depends on several things. Is there space for air to circulate around the plants naturally? Is the are dry or humid? Is the temp in the home a steady temp or is there fluctuation? Is there a direct breeze on the plants?
You really do not want a direct breeze on them. Also any major air temp changes can also affect the way the respond. I personally have not needed or used a fan until they were mature and had a lot of leaves that were full and thick.
As for the fams, it is really a person preference. I have a few different ones I use.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Feb 24, 2023 10:58:09 GMT -5
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Post by lynnee on Feb 24, 2023 11:19:21 GMT -5
It's news to me that AG lettuce requires a fan. I always plant the pods, and the lettuce grows--a few brown spots or browned edges on mature leaves don't bother me. I have had lettuce die off suddenly. (Marvel of Four Seasons doesn't want to grow for me.) That was caused by a warm draft from a furnace vent, I think. I have used a personal desk fan (e.g., example, not my fan) to direct air at a pepper plant. In the end, I decided it was easier to prune the plant to allow better air circulation. I'd suggest looking for drafts that may be reaching your AG, and eliminating them by closing vents or relocating the AG.  |
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Post by daisybelle on Feb 24, 2023 11:51:39 GMT -5
I think maybe I'm researching TOO much. Now I'm reading about calcium deficiency and CaliMagic. Maybe I'm just overthinking all of this, and trying to figure it out too soon and get ahead of problems, I'm just confusing myself and need to step back and let it grow. A little Barney for a Giggle... |
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Post by scarfguy on Feb 24, 2023 12:27:03 GMT -5
As for fans, I haven't used them much. If the leaf density gets a little high such that the leaves are wet from the transpiration of the leaves below them, I will either prune or direct a fan on them to dry them out a bit. You just want air circulation to prevent mold and such and to provide a little extra oxygen.
I've had good luck with these cheap little fans. You can set them beside your aerogarden and direct the air up throught the leaves:
With regards to lettuce, they sometimes grow so fast that the stems don't have the strength to support the leaf and they fall over. There is a train of thought that a fan simulates a bit of wind in nature which causes the plant to strengthen the stalks.
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Post by lynnee on Feb 24, 2023 12:39:09 GMT -5
daisybelle, go ahead and read about CalMag!  It really made a difference in the flavor and productivity of my tomato plants. However, you don't need more than AG nutrients to grow successful lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, and flowers, as long as you change the water every month, or every two weeks for mature plants.
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Post by daisybelle on Feb 24, 2023 13:09:00 GMT -5
scarfguy looks like you're not using an oscillating fan, maybe that's not necessary that it oscillates. When you do use this fan, the price is right, by the way, do you leave it on all the time or just certain hours of the day. Not quite ready to give up on this fan thing yet...
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Post by scarfguy on Feb 24, 2023 13:24:26 GMT -5
scarfguy looks like you're not using an oscillating fan, maybe that's not necessary that it oscillates. When you do use this fan, the price is right, by the way, do you leave it on all the time or just certain hours of the day. Not quite ready to give up on this fan thing yet...
My fans only oscillate when I move them around. 
I plug them into one of these little mechanical timers:
I tried a couple of things. Can't say I see any difference. I've tried turning on the fan when the lights come on and go out and I've tried cycling them like half hour on and an hour and a half off.
(You're showing your age daisybelle with the barney fife video! Most people today have no idea who barney fife was.)
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veng1
AGA Sprout
My logo is from a spectroradiometer I designed to measure a Sprout.
Posts: 51
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Post by veng1 on Feb 24, 2023 16:34:13 GMT -5
I like these as the large diameter can get a lot of air flow gently.
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Post by daisybelle on Feb 24, 2023 18:58:59 GMT -5
And there is another possibility, a mini tower fan - you could regulate air flow really well with this one. Tower fan
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Post by daisybelle on Feb 25, 2023 10:38:36 GMT -5
scarfguy yep, I've been around for awhile. And you're right, if you're not a certain age you might not know Barney, but for those who don't, he was hilarious. There will never be another one...
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Post by scarfguy on Feb 25, 2023 10:43:56 GMT -5
I spent many hours in front of a black and white TV (that only got 3 channels) watching andy, barney, and gomer!
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Post by darais211 on Feb 25, 2023 17:39:32 GMT -5
you want a oscillating fan! the rotation also help with air movement within all the plant and not just focused in one area, you can get a non-oscillating just be careful that its not to strong or you could end up doing damage to the plant.
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mike
The Pepper King
Posts: 3,661 
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Post by mike on Feb 26, 2023 10:53:59 GMT -5
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