Day 41
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
Apparently, I really haven't been paying enough attention- not only have the plants bloomed, there are actually a couple pea pods going.
GrowLog
SuccessfulLittle SnapPea Crunch in Grow Bowls
Grow log by serri588 · Original thread
6 visual updates7 photos31 replies
View recapCrop🥦Pea, broccolini
VarietyLittle SnapPea Crunch, Aspabroc Hybrid broccolini
MethodAeroGarden Grow Bowl ebb-and-flow hydroponics
Equipmenttwo AeroGarden Bounties, Grow Bowls, clay pebbles, net cups, trellis
Plants-
AudienceExperimental
What you can learnA useful Grow Bowl trial showing germination-media differences, irrigation-frequency adjustment, trellising, accelerated maturity, and disappointing yield economics.
Actions:4 Equipment1 Planting1 Training
Useful practices
- holding seeds in damp paper towel inside net cups
- adjusting pump frequency to match clay-pebble moisture retention
- raising the light and installing a trellis
- comparing maturity time with seed-packet estimates
Problems encountered
- broccolini seedling rotted in paper towel
- clay pebbles dried faster than expected
- pea yield was low for the space used
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
S
I really should do another round of these in a regular grow deck right after this- it would be really interesting to see if they really do better in the grow bowl, or if they would be just fine without it.
M
That would be a great experiment!
S
Planted the grow deck with these today in the Bounty next to this one.As an interesting point of reference, the germination time was about right: 7-10 days, but "days to maturity" seems to be reduced by about 1/3. The packet lists 58 days, and I should be harvesting my first pods right around 40. However, the plants aren't very dense, so I am expecting a smaller harvest from these than I would get in a container. I'll have to wait and see how they do on the grow deck, or if they will fill out a bit more in the coming weeks.
S
These did eventually die back and I've terminated the grow. I only got a few handfuls of peas, so I don't think they were worth it. I've started a comparison grow in a regular Bounty deck at a higher density, so we'll see how that works out.
Day 40
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Not archivedOpen original URL
We've got flowers! This is the smaller plant and it only has one bunch, it's sister has two bunches and is about 25% larger overall.
Conversation
D
Wonderful!I really must get myself one of those grow bowls.
S
That is doing well.
M
Pea plants are pretty. Makes me want to plant another pea garden.Are they clinging to the trellis yet?
S
"Cling" is probably the right word. They grab it but don't latch on like the cucumber does. They do seem to be much happier since I added it.
Day 30
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Actions taken
EquipmentRaised the grow light.
TrainingAdded a trellis for the pea vines.
I always think "I don't need to take another picture, they haven't grown much." And then I come on here and look at the last picture. Proves me wrong every time.I just raised the light and added the trellis today, so they haven't had any time to grab onto it yet.
Conversation
S
LOL Just like if you are on a diet and do not see any weight loss but others who do not see you daily notice.
M
I know what you mean. Then there are the times you think you posted a pic more recently than you thought and suddenly it’s been 3 weeks. Your peas look really healthy!
Day 19
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
Actions taken
EquipmentChanged the clay-pebble irrigation cycle to every eight hours.
The broccolinni seems to have gone to mush in the paper towel. I may have watered it too much, but I'm going to take a break before I try again. I will probably stick them in the farm in regular AG sponges next time to see if that works better.However, the peas are coming along just fine. The clay pebbles don't hold as much water as the coco grow, so the pump runs every eight hours instead of daily.
Conversation
D
For reference: is that a 2" pot I see or smaller? Just trying to get a sense of the scale here.I am SO interested in this project!
S
They are 2" net pots. I used that and a bit of paper towel to hold the seeds in place until the sprouted. The pebbles do move around a bit when the pump runs.
Day 8
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
Actions taken
EquipmentLoosened the paper towel around the broccolini sprout.
EquipmentSet the Grow Bowl water cycle to run once every two days.
The peas are up! I peeked at the broccolini and loosened the paper towel and it is sprouting, just not up quite yet. So far the paper towel idea has been a success but I think next time I will wrap it more loosely. I'm guessing those stubborn little plants could force their way through it, but why make them do the work.Water is set to run once every two days- experimenting with the strawberries this seems to be the ideal setting to keep them nice and moist without soaking the grow medium too much.
Conversation
D
About how deep is the bowl?
S
3"ish according to a quick measure. They come with a new, shorter outlet for the pump so that it will fit.
S
Following
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Not archivedOpen original URL
Not archivedOpen original URL
Actions taken
PlantingPlaced pea and broccolini seeds in damp paper towel inside net cups and clay-pebble Grow Bowls.
Since berry bushes aren't available until spring and I have enough Ultra's coming to cover them, I decided to use my other two Bounties for other veggies. I think both of these will do fine in a regular Aerogarden setup, but I'm going to try them this way first.Peas:Genus 2: PisumSpecies: sativumVariety: Little SnapPea CrunchDays to Maturity: 58Fruit Color: GreenHabit: CompactPlant Height: 2 ft 4 in - 2 ft 8 in (instructions say they stay a bit smaller in containers.Broccolini:Genus: BrassicaSpecies: oleraceaVariety: Aspabroc HybridItem Form: (P) Pkt of 20 seedsDays to Maturity: 60Fruit Color: GreenHabit: UprightPlant Height: 20 in - 24 inPlant Width: 8 inThe biggest problem is starting seeds in the medium. You supposedly can just throw the seeds right in, but I'm a bit worried about them being washed away. In my DIY setup, I'd use peat pellets, but that won't work with the Aerogarden pump. My solution was to wrap the seeds in a damp paper towel inside a net cup:That should give them something stable to hang on to so they don't get washed away when the pump runs.And now they are safely snuggled into the bowls:Later today or tomorrow I'll add the water and set up the pump and lights. there's plenty of moisture in the medium for a few days, so no rush.
Conversation
D
Now you're making me want to get a grow bowl!
S
For those that may be curious, this is the grow medium I'm using:www.amazon.com/Grow-GMC40l-Pebbles-4mm-16mm-Liters/dp/B00MHQ0IHA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1513344013&sr=8-2&keywords=clay+pebble+grow+media
M
Me too. Serri you’ll have to school some of us with these. I’ve never used one before. I had thought it was only for strawberries, but I can imagine its utility for some other kinds of edibles.
U
I would like to hear from those who use the chips as well as the clay balls in an open setting.Did you find that being open and damp, it was conducive to gnats which got in somehow?I have always been skeptical about the open damp grow media, not only in the AG Bowl, but in other machines as well.Any past experiences out there?
D
I've got a bunch of general hydroponics systems that I'm using clay balls in and yes, gnats.
S
gnats? I hate those little buggers. I have a recipe for what we call Gnat Juice. They fly into it and float to the bottom never to fly around gain.
S
I took a bunch of pictures while I was assembling these to create a how-to guide. Fortunately, it's pretty easy to put together.The things Aerogrow has supposedly tried are strawberries (of course), bonsai, orchids and dwarf fruit trees. If you are researching online what kind of plants to do in them, it's an Ebb and Flow system.
S
I had gnats for awhile, but none right now. They specifically showed up a few days after I brought home some bananas, so I'm going to avoid those and see if they stay away.
U
with bananas they were most likely fruit flies rather than gnats
S
Fair point, and I don't really know how to tell the difference. It may have been a coincidence- they only seemed interested in the plants, not the fruit.Soapy honey water worked on them just fine regardless.
S
You can also use water, sugar some cider vinegar and dishsoap.