GrowLog
Failed

Traditional Grow-Deck Pea Comparison

Grow log by serri588 · Original thread

3 visual updates3 photos16 replies
View recap
CropPea, green onion
VarietyLittle SnapPea Crunch
MethodAeroGarden hydroponics
EquipmentAeroGarden Bounty
Plants5
AudienceExperimental

What you can learnA useful failed comparison showing that this compact pea variety germinated poorly and performed worse in a conventional hydroponic deck than in a Grow Bowl.

Actions:3 Planting1 Transplant
Useful practices
  • pre-sprouting difficult pea seeds under a damp cloth
  • moving only germinated seeds into sponges
  • comparing the same pea variety in a grow deck and Grow Bowl
Problems encountered
  • seeds turned to mush in sponges
  • very low germination rate
  • one seedling died
  • yellow and dried leaves
  • poor adaptation to standing water

*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.

Day 98
UPDATE#3
Grower update

Update #3

Actions taken

PlantingAdded green onions to unused space in the pea garden.

S By serri588

One of the seedlings didn't make it, so I've got 4 solid plants instead of 5 (I stuck my green onions in here since there is plenty of space.). I have my first peas on the largest plant, so that is about the same as the grow bowl plants. However, there is a lot of yellowing and dried leaves on that plant- it is far less healthy than the ones I did in the grow bowl. Since it doesn't have much competition, it probably because the peas simply don't like standing water. We'll see how the other 3 do. If they also struggle then peas are officially a grow bowl plant. I also have a different variety of container-friendly peas on order from Park. We'll see how those do.
Conversation
M
MaryL

If the grow bowl turns out to be the solution, I will be buying a grow bowl, lol.

S
serri588

They are pretty much dead at this point. I picked up a different variety of container peas to try, so we'll see how that goes. I'm also not happy with this variety because the germination rate is incredibly low.

K
Kate

Well, that's a bummer. It's a good learning experience though. Semi-silver lining.

S
serri588

Absolutely. I have the new peas planted in my harvest. As long as they sprout I'll start another thread for them. If it weren't for the bad germination rate I would take another try at this variety, but sprouting 20+ seeds for 3 or 4 plants seems like a pain.

U
Unknown

Scarifying or nicking the seed should help you with that problem.It has worked for me.Try nicking 2 seeds and see if they will germinate..I bet they willwww.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/nicking-plant-seeds.htm

M
mike

I take a green scrub pad to them first. Then I poke them with the tip of a sharp knife a few times.

M
MaryL

You guys are awesome, I never would’ve known about scarifying seeds but for you guys.

S
serri588

I'll try that- thanks!

Day 84
UPDATE#2
Grower update

Update #2

Actions taken

PlantingSoaked many pea seeds under a cloth and moved the few germinated seeds into sponges.

S By serri588

The sprouting rate on these peas is ridiculously low- I eventually resorted to throwing about 20 of them in a dish of water with a rag over it and only sticking the couple that started to sprout in sponges. However, I've now gotten 5 plants started in various stages of growth. So far they look about the same. I took a chance since the grow bowl pair were never all that dense and putting more in this time.
Conversation
K
Kate

I hope these do well for you. It's something I've been considering, and wondered how they'd do in this setup.

Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update

Update #1

Actions taken

TransplantMoved the existing culinary herbs into an Ultra to free the Bounty for the comparison.
PlantingStarted the same pea variety on a conventional AeroGarden grow deck.

S By serri588

I moved my culinary herbs to an Ultra to do this experiment. With the peas in the grow bowl pretty far along, it's a good time to start some on a traditional grow deck to compare how they grow without having the harvests overlap. In order to make it a fair comparison, I'm using the same type of machine- which is why I made space in a Bounty, and both are being grown in AG nutes based on their recomended feeding schedule.
Conversation
S
serri588

Here are the seeds: Pak SeedsGenus 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.)

S
serri588

The first attempt went to mush in the sponges, so I have a couple more stuck into the sand mixture I've been testing on the lettuce.

S
Shawn

I am sorry the first ones were mush. I hope the sand ones come out better. have you tried to place them in paper towels?

S
serri588

That's actually how I started the ones in the grow bowl.I wonder if I can transfer sprouts into the sponges if I do it early enough.

S
Shawn

Try slicing the sponge down the center

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