Day 61
UPDATE#7
Grower update
Update #7
Actions taken
FinishedStrained the finished vinegar through cheesecloth.
I strained the finished vinegar through cheesecloth, and it is done!
GrowLog
SuccessfulDark Purple Opal Basil and Basil Vinegar in a TeamMe H10C
Grow log by ERR0R1755 · Original thread
7 visual updates9 photos27 replies
View recapCrop🌿Basil
VarietyDark Purple Opal Basil
Methodindoor hydroponics
EquipmentTeamMe H10C hydroponic system
Plants10
AudienceExperimental
What you can learnCombines a comparative hydroponic-equipment review with a complete basil use case from sowing and topping through vinegar infusion and straining.
Actions:3 Finished1 Planting1 Watering1 Nutrients1 Pruning
Useful practices
- testing an alternative hydroponic unit against AeroGarden design
- sowing several old seeds per pod and thinning
- topping tall basil plants
- using surplus basil for a cold-infused vinegar
- straining finished vinegar through cheesecloth
Problems encountered
- AeroGarden pods and covers were incompatible with the smaller holes
- loose-fitting pods allowed top-heavy basil plants to lean
- the unit's cable and light configuration was considered less convenient
*The days were calculated automatically and approximately.
Conversation
S
It's pretty, too, ERR0R1755!
Day 44
UPDATE#6
Grower update
Update #6
Not archivedOpen original URL
Actions taken
FinishedUsed the harvested basil for a cold infusion to make vinegar.
Oct 14, 2021 16:22:54 GMT -5 campingcorgis said:Oh, no, ERR0R1755!! That is a pretty significant flaw & drawback! Hope you have space in the freezer or a good recipe or two to use up the basil! I have more basil in the freezer than I know what to do with, so I decided to use it for a cold infusion and make basil vinegar!
Conversation
S
Yum!!!
C
+1 -- Sounds wonderful!
S
Too bad that the unit has major flaws. However good to know that AG is still a top performer. As for the basil, I love the idea of infusing AND making vinegar. I may try that too. I have a ton of it in my freezer but I use it a LOT.
S
The competitors are trying, and may someday catch up to AG's small units. But they have a way to go.I especially dislike having to choose between blue light only, or a mix of red and white.
E
If you're looking for a cheaper competitor, I was impressed by the iDOO unit I had. It's not compatible with the AeroGarden pods or covers thanks to the square holes, but it had more grow height than a Harvest for half the price of a Harvest.
S
I had an IDoo and sent it back. The blue and purple lights really bothered me.
C
I often worry about the old saying, "you get what you pay for." Or, "penny wise & pound foolish." I would rather pay a tad more for something that works and with a company that stands behind their product. I'm certainly not saying that there are not other good hydroponic machines out there, just that I'm pleased with my AG machines and don't feel a need to look for alternatives?That said, I do hope to have some outdoor gardens again, one day. Just in raised beds, inside a greenhouse.
E
I agree - but if someone wants to send me a free product to review, I won't complain as long as I can be honest with them
Day 44
UPDATE#5
Grower update
Update #5
Not archivedOpen original URL
Not archivedOpen original URL
Actions taken
FinishedEnded the basil grow after identifying loose pod fit as a system weakness.
Ended this today! I discovered that a major weakness of this system is that the pods are not tight fits for the holes like the AeroGarden pods are - so if a plant is top-heavy, it will lean over.
Conversation
C
Oh, no, ERR0R1755!! That is a pretty significant flaw & drawback! Hope you have space in the freezer or a good recipe or two to use up the basil!
Day 35
UPDATE#4
Grower update
Update #4
Actions taken
NutrientsAdded six millilitres of nutrients.
PruningTopped the two tallest basil plants.
Added 6ml of nutes and topped the two tallest plants.
Conversation
S
Look at all that lovely purple 💜
Day 29
UPDATE#3
Grower update
Update #3
Conversation
C
Very pretty! Have you tasted any?
E
Not yet! I've grown this variety before (in Kratky style) and I remember that it's a sweet basil variety, but I don't remember much else.
S
It is beautiful. A couple of leaves in a salad would make it look and taste special.
S
It looks great. I did have a purple basil once and it was good.
Day 5
UPDATE#2
Grower update
Update #2
There are seedlings in every pod!
Conversation
S
Awww. Love the color.
E
Thinned them out to one per pod and added 8ml of nutes!
Day 1
UPDATE#1
Grower update
Update #1
Actions taken
PlantingPlaced seven to eight old basil seeds in each TeamMe pod.
WateringAdded water without nutrients.
The TeamMe H10C is a hydroponic system (similar to the AeroGardens) that I got for free in exchange for a future review. It uses round holes and pods like the AeroGarden does, but the holes are slightly smaller so AeroGarden pods and covers are incompatible.Unlike the AeroGarden, which uses a bubbler (old Sprout), fountain (new Sprout), or drip mechanic (Harvest & Bounty), this just has a water pump that pushes water in one direction to create circulation. It's quieter than any of the AeroGardens as a result, but I am interested to see how it affects the roots.I placed 7-8 Dark Purple Opal Basil seeds in each pod and added water, no nutes added yet. These seeds are old so I am not sure what the germination rate will be.
Conversation
M
Very cool! Looking forward to seeing how it compares to the AG
C
Does the hood/light raise & lower - or just one height? What's up with the wires? Looking forward to following this project.
E
The light raises and can be locked at any height - the lowest it goes is 7.5in between the deck and light, and the highest it goes is 15in between the deck and light.The cables are interesting - the one on the right connects the pump and the light, while the one on the left is the main power cord. So the power goes from outlet -> light -> pump. I don't like the way that is set up (and I prefer the outlet -> base/pump -> light way that the AeroGarden is set up) but for whatever reason that is the way this works.On the other hand, if your outlet is on a wall or ceiling and higher than your plants, then this works better than the AeroGarden way.
C
Makes sense! Thanks for the info.