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 Jan 23, 2024 15:54:07 GMT -5
Hello everyone! New addict here....
I did a search but haven't found exactly what I'm looking for. So, I'm sorry if this has already been answered.
I went crazy and took advantage of the holiday sales and became a brand new AG addict. I know this because I can't wait for the next sale to buy more! I purchased a Harvest XL in December ($89) and with that purchase I got a Sprout for $25. Then a week or so later I bought a Bounty Basic ($139).
I have an AG Thyme pod that never sprouted. It has been 15 days. I started the AG Basil and Thyme in the Sprout (which I kind of regret purchasing). The Basil just finally has a teeny tiny two leaved sprout two days ago after I moved both pods to my Harvest XL to keep the tiny tomato plants company (and get more light). I know I didn't do anything wrong because I have two healthy tomato plants (about 2" tall) and nine beautiful AG heirloom lettuce plants in my Bounty Basic (yeah, I know, shouldn't have planted all of them). The only thing I can figure is we had a heck of a freeze with temps around 20 for a few days here in Houston, so it got quite cool and dry in the house. I keep the heat at 70 during the day and 68 at night.
Anyhoo.... my question is: Can plant a seed in the thyme pod/sponge? It looks ok; not green or moldy in any way. Due to watching waaaay too many youtube videos, I also bought a bunch of seeds from Baker Creek and am dying to try some of the lettuce. Can I plant a seed in that pod/sponge or should I use a new one from my 'grow anything' purchase?
I now have an empty Sprout as I don't think the Basil will go anywhere either, but if it does, I can move it back. Or plant some lettuce in it? I dunno.
Thank you in advance for any advice.
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Post by Clovis Sangrail on Jan 23, 2024 16:19:09 GMT -5
Take that pod that didn't sprout, remove the sponge and toss it, then grab half a dozen scallions from the store, trim the green part off and chop it (on the bias, please) and toss it in with a salad or some scrambled eggs, then stuff the white part into the pod and put it in the Sprout. Like this --  And it will grow into this --  Then periodically give it a haircut and enjoy some scallion greens. Then, you probably have some scallions left over, and you have two more holes in that bounty. so . . . . I have just acquired one of those $25 Sprouts, and it's either going to be scallions or chives.  |
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Post by scarfguy on Jan 23, 2024 16:31:04 GMT -5
Welcome to AGA, CatHerder! (I herd cats too).
From your rapid and compulsive purchases, you are definitely addicted and have found the right place.
YES! you can re-use the sponge. If you don't see any visible white mold or green algae, it should be fine.
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 23, 2024 17:41:45 GMT -5
If you ever DO see the white stuff or algae, you can use a q-tip dipped in peroxide to swab it off and still re-use the pod! I've done that a few times with seeds that didn't sprout but did grow a little algae and had them come up no problem.
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pfunnyjoy
AGA Bounty
Made more grow room in my office!
Posts: 791
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Post by pfunnyjoy on Jan 23, 2024 18:06:43 GMT -5
I've been known to boil AG seed sponges that haven't sprouted to sanitize them and replant. But mostly, unless you've got an algae or mold problem, you'd be safe enough just dropping some new seeds in.
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 849
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Post by slw on Jan 23, 2024 22:22:43 GMT -5
I reuse non-sprouting sponges all the time. I try to scrape out any non-germinated seeds, rinse the sponge, and plop in another seed. Welcome to the forum; I'm in Houston, too!
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,267
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Post by Shawn on Jan 24, 2024 13:10:04 GMT -5
I never reuse sponges, but that is me.
As far as sponges go, I use these: Park Seed 60 Cell ones. You get more for your money and I never had an issue with them. |
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:15:27 GMT -5
(I hope I'm replying properly...)
(Edit 1: Nope, I didn't)
(Edit 2: Still didn't. Not sure how to reply to a post yet... Sorry)
Good idea clovissangrail ! I saw that on a video recently.
I have had green onions growing in a glass on my counter. Then a cat found them and made a mess of them. Luckily he didn't eat any. This is the reason my three AG's are up high enough my cats haven't bothered them.
Yet.
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:21:30 GMT -5
Welcome to AGA, CatHerder ! (I herd cats too).
From your rapid and compulsive purchases, you are definitely addicted and have found the right place.
YES! you can re-use the sponge. If you don't see any visible white mold or green algae, it should be fine.
(fourth try at replying properly... *fingers crossed*) I'm trying to keep our cats (four big boys) away from my AG's. So far they haven't found them. I have them up on shelves, but it's only a matter of time before at least one of them finds them. I may try to reuse it, just to see what happens. But what to plant... Maybe chives? Off to purchase more seeds....  (YAY! It worked!) |
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:26:50 GMT -5
If you ever DO see the white stuff or algae, you can use a q-tip dipped in peroxide to swab it off and still re-use the pod! I've done that a few times with seeds that didn't sprout but did grow a little algae and had them come up no problem. Thanks for the tip. I pulled the sponge out and looked at it with a magnifying glass; it looks okay. I am kind of a nut about not wasting things, which is why I asked if I could reuse it. You should have seen me the day when I read I had to murder cull the extra tomato seedlings in one of the pods. Took two hours of 'you can do it' from my hubby and a few tears. I would have moved them but I had nowhere to move them to. Yes, I need another unit... another Harvest XL maybe.... Bounty (but which one?)... ohhhhh, this is going to be a problem I can just tell.  |
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Post by scarfguy on Jan 24, 2024 15:27:41 GMT -5
YES! CatHerder, a proper quote and reply! well done!
I have 3 cats and none of them seem to have any interest in any of my AGs. as long as it isn't catnip.
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:29:05 GMT -5
I've been known to boil AG seed sponges that haven't sprouted to sanitize them and replant. But mostly, unless you've got an algae or mold problem, you'd be safe enough just dropping some new seeds in. I hadn't thought of that. Do you just pour boiling water over them and let them sit and cool down? |
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:33:44 GMT -5
I reuse non-sprouting sponges all the time. I try to scrape out any non-germinated seeds, rinse the sponge, and plop in another seed. Welcome to the forum; I'm in Houston, too! I looked for the seeds, but everything is the same color. Maybe thyme seeds are the same color, or they are missing all together. Thanks! I'm sitting here in near darkness at 2:30pm due to all the rain. I may have to borrow a boat to go to the grocery store for some more distilled water for my AG's. We've had more than five inches of rain so far over the past few days and I think it's been more as my rain gauge is overfilled. |
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Post by scarfguy on Jan 24, 2024 15:34:05 GMT -5
I still have trouble killing a seedling but it has to be done. It's an emotional thing. After all, even though it's just a plant, it is a living thing. I swear I hear it scream a little bit when I snip the stem. 
I could never be a rancher. I don't know how they manage to raise cattle and then send them off to slaughter.
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:37:48 GMT -5
I never reuse sponges, but that is me.
As far as sponges go, I use these: Park Seed 60 Cell ones. You get more for your money and I never had an issue with them. Thanks for the link. I just put those in my cart, and of course... more seeds: Red velvet cherry tomatoes, garlic chives, and patio choice yellow hybrid cherry tomatoes. Hope those are good choices. |
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:44:20 GMT -5
YES! CatHerder , a proper quote and reply! well done!
I have 3 cats and none of them seem to have any interest in any of my AGs. as long as it isn't catnip.
Thanks. It's embarrassing at my age that this is the first time I've ever joined and posted on a forum. I gave up on all social media about seven or eight years ago, but I decided to try this due to the overwhelming need to reassure myself there are others who also get immediately obsessed with Aerogardens too. I bought some catnip seeds from Baker Creek when I bought a few other things, just in case. I may plant them in the currently empty Sprout. I do have one cat that is completely immune to cat nip. No effect on him whatsoever. AND he's usually the one that will find things and eat/mangle/knock over/destroy whatever he finds. Figures. |
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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 Jan 24, 2024 15:51:14 GMT -5
I still have trouble killing a seedling but it has to be done. It's an emotional thing. After all, even though it's just a plant, it is a living thing. I swear I hear it scream a little bit when I snip the stem.
I could never be a rancher. I don't know how they manage to raise cattle and then send them off to slaughter.
Ohmygawd now I think I did hear a "please.... don't" when I got those scissors closer. Thanks for that.  So, here's a true story for you.. When I was a teenager (back before cell phones and internet) I spent a summer on a dairy farm. I got to help deliver a calf from one of the other cows. It was such a cool thing and a wonderful experience. We named him Spot as he had a large white mark on his face. The next summer I went back up to visit and spent the weekend. They made me dinner and everything. After dinner they said "Remember Spot?". I couldn't eat steak for a few years after that experience. I'm over it now though. |
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maskedsonnet
AGA Farmer
Without the burden of comparison, everything is beautiful
Posts: 1,610
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Post by maskedsonnet on Jan 24, 2024 17:34:29 GMT -5
If you gently pull the seedling up it'll come out roots and all and you can stick it in another pod to keep growing.
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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 Jan 24, 2024 17:42:05 GMT -5
If you gently pull the seedling up it'll come out roots and all and you can stick it in another pod to keep growing. I wanted to do that, but I didn't have another place to put them. My Bounty is full and I am under the impression you shouldn't grow more than two tomato plants in a Harvest, even if it's the XL version. There were a total of 5 sprouts in the first pod and four in the second pod. |
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slw
AGA Bounty
Posts: 849
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Post by slw on Jan 24, 2024 19:12:45 GMT -5
If you gently pull the seedling up it'll come out roots and all and you can stick it in another pod to keep growing. I wanted to do that, but I didn't have another place to put them. My Bounty is full and I am under the impression you shouldn't grow more than two tomato plants in a Harvest, even if it's the XL version. There were a total of 5 sprouts in the first pod and four in the second pod. Psssst.... "Kratky Jar."  |
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So, here's a true story for you..