Shawn
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Post by Shawn on Sept 6, 2018 9:41:06 GMT -5
I always add nutes directly to the water bowl. I don't mix them first
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
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Post by MaryL on Sept 6, 2018 9:50:14 GMT -5
1)adding nutes directly to the tank
Just for clarification: Isn't this what AG instructions say to do? Indeed it is what the AG instructions say to do. I’ve always done it this way, just because they said to, and never had a problem (but once). However, and I don’t know if this makes the difference, I’ve never used the port to add the nutes. I’ve always lifted the deck, dropped the nutes where I can see them and immediately chased it with a big chug of fresh water. I don’t know why that would be very different than through the port, but FWIW. I’ve also been very lazy about doing monthly rinse and refills. More often than not I skip it. I don’t mean to, I just forget. Plus since I have to use distilled water, it’s a total pain. So everyone has their way, I suppose.🤷♀️ I’ve never changed my way (the AG way) because it’s never caused much of a problem, if any.
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nick
AGA Bounty
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Post by nick on Sept 6, 2018 9:59:09 GMT -5
Got it.
I just wanted to clarify because I will (generally speaking) follow instructions to the letter. The idea that I’m doing something improperly would be unacceptable. 🙂
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Sept 6, 2018 10:00:04 GMT -5
Just for clarification: Isn't this what AG instructions say to do? Indeed it is what the AG instructions say to do. I’ve always done it this way, because they said to, and never had a problem (but once). However, and I don’t know if this makes the difference, I’ve never used the port to add the nutes. I’ve always lifted the deck, dropped the nutes where I can see them and immediately chased it with a big chug of fresh water. I don’t know why that would be very different than through the port, but FWIW. I’ve also been very lazy about doing monthly rinse and refills. More often than not I skip it. I don’t mean to, I just forget. Plus since I have to use distilled water, it’s a total pain. So everyone has their way, I suppose.🤷♀️ I’ve never changed my way (the AG way) because it’s never caused much of a problem, if any.
I do what Mary does with nutes and rinse and refills. Two peas for this particular pod LOL
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Post by virtualmccoy on Sept 6, 2018 10:01:32 GMT -5
Yes that's what I do, add the nutes followed by a largish top up.
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Post by virtualmccoy on Sept 6, 2018 10:28:56 GMT -5
Why not use tap water? Is your water that bad? The AG nutrients do a good job adjusting in most tap waters. Mine is very hard water, but the nutrients do a good job.
Mature plants drink fast, so with them the tank would be very low on water and you wouldn;t have to dump.
But if you have young plants in the machine you will end up overfeeding them if you just keep adding nutrients because the water doesn't get that low..
From what you said, i KNOW that is the cause of your problem..you are overfeeding the plants by 1)adding nutes directly to the tank 2)continuously adding nutrient water to seedlings w/o dumping the old
I doubt if those plants will come back healthy.JMO from the photos. The burn is severe. Why not start new projects and even though it may cost you more, just follow the AG directions for your machines/ It will pay off in the end , and you will not be frustrated!
I don't use two water because we are on well water which goes through a water softener - a big no no according to aerogarden. What you say about the small seedlings makes sense though, I will drain and refill until they get more established. Thanks.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Sept 6, 2018 13:11:36 GMT -5
I don't use two water because we are on well water which goes through a water softener - a big no no according to aerogarden. Same here. Not the well water, but the water softener. So always having plenty of bottles around is necessary, and not a fun part of AG’ing. It also makes water a rare commodity for me that I don’t want to waste. So sometimes, once the plants are established, I just let them slurp up most all of the water then refill with fresh water and nutes. I figure that’s kind of a cheater Rinse and Refill, lol.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2018 13:21:36 GMT -5
I must have dreamed that then. I will shut up and consider my idiosyncrasies to myself and not as tips! LOL
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Post by Rialle on Sept 6, 2018 13:52:43 GMT -5
I must have dreamed that then. I will shut up and consider my idiosyncrasies to myself and not as tips! LOL
I mean, there is merit to doing it that way. I would if I weren’t so lazy and typically pressed for time. It sounds like a viable method to me.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Sept 6, 2018 14:20:03 GMT -5
I think Corinne’s method makes far more sense. I just had already been in the habit of doing it AG’s way when I first heard her method. It was hard to break the habit absent a problem nudging me to do so.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,268
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Post by Shawn on Sept 6, 2018 14:22:10 GMT -5
I think Corinne’s method makes far more sense. I just had already been in the habit of doing it AG’s way when I first heard her method. It was hard to break the habit absent a problem nudging me to do so. I know, once you start and get into the habit out is hard tho break.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2018 17:03:21 GMT -5
One thing I definitely do know, whether one adds directly to the tank OR premixes..either way....
Adding to a tank that has old nute water in it is 'topping off'.
Topping off with nutes straight from the bottle plus water OR a nutrient pre-mixed solution only strengthens the amount of nutrients already left in the tank. It is the water only that dissipates or evaporates.There are some nutes still in the bowl.Using up the solution does not mean the nutrients are all weak and used up. Eventually they will build up and burn regardless the method used to add it into the bowl. That is why I add very little nutrients when needed if i do not do a total dump n refill. But I am no expert..... whatever works for you.....keep doin' it.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Sept 6, 2018 19:12:55 GMT -5
Yes, I definitely need to up my Rinse and Refill game. I’m sure that’s why my vegetables don’t turn out as well as others’.
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Post by Rialle on Sept 6, 2018 22:43:33 GMT -5
I've more or less committed to doing r&r’s every time. I feel better knowing exactly how much Nutes etc are in there.
it also gives me a chance to control roots and make sure the pump is okay.
Then again, my tap water is good for the plants. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to source better water for them.
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nick
AGA Bounty
Posts: 555
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Post by nick on Sept 7, 2018 5:22:50 GMT -5
I've more or less committed to doing r&r’s every time. I feel better knowing exactly how much Nutes etc are in there. it also gives me a chance to control roots and make sure the pump is okay. Then again, my tap water is good for the plants. I don’t know what I’d do if I had to source better water for them. I’m also doing R&R’s every time, but I think I’m spoiled in two ways. 1. Like Rialle said, I have good tap water. That certainly makes life easier. 2. The Farm models make it too easy since you can just reverse the pump to suck all of the water out. There’s always a small amount left in the very bottom, but not enough to make a difference in what is effectively a 2.25 gallon tank.
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MaryL
AGA Farmer
Posts: 3,532
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Post by MaryL on Sept 7, 2018 16:46:43 GMT -5
I do think I’d be better about it if I could use my tap water. (I could be wrong though...excuses, excuses, lol.)
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Post by virtualmccoy on Sept 13, 2018 12:33:49 GMT -5
I just wanted to post an update. I did follow suggestions here. I dumped and refilled the tank and added only half AG recommended nutrients. My lavender has new growth that is looking MUCH better! See updated picture. Thanks for those suggestions. Just a little concerned about the slight yellowing on some of the tips - reckon I need to up the nutrients a bit?
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Sept 13, 2018 13:30:03 GMT -5
I am glad your plant is doing better. I never tried the lavender but Corinne has. Check her these Here
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2018 15:11:44 GMT -5
Yeh, I tried everything with those. I didn;t get they ellowing until after they were flowering, though. However, I would never grow them again for the very reason that I got so frustrated trying to find the cause. The brown leaves took all the beauty away from the lavender flowers.
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Shawn
Administrator
Posts: 16,268
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Post by Shawn on Feb 19, 2019 6:52:17 GMT -5
I just wanted to post an update. I did follow suggestions here. I dumped and refilled the tank and added only half AG recommended nutrients. My lavender has new growth that is looking MUCH better! See updated picture. Thanks for those suggestions. Just a little concerned about the slight yellowing on some of the tips - reckon I need to up the nutrients a bit?
Virtual, how is this plant coming along? Any better?
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