I noticed that the 1 gallon water bottles that supply the trays for the Romaine Lettuce, Broccoli, Swiss Chard, Cauliflower, and Kale that are in robust growth mode were all empty. I refilled the water bottles, and then measured the pH and dissolved solids (DS). Based on the results, I added more plant food for two of the trays before their scheduled feeding. I also harvested some Swiss Chard, Kale, and Arugula since the leaves were blocking the smaller plants in the trays.
AeroGarden Farm 02, Right Tray, Day 38. Romaine Lettuce (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants are growing robustly. A second batch of leaves harvested yesterday (used for Caesar Salad). I noticed that the tops of some leaves were turning black. Research said to check pH (4.34) and dissolved solids (381 ppm). The pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5, and the dissolved solids between 500-700 ppm. So I added plant food before the next scheduled feeding in 4 days. The pH is now 5.7.
AeroGarden Farm 02 Right Tray at 38 days. R01-R09 Romain; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/11, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left Tray, Day 38. Broccoli, Swiss Chard, and Arugula (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Broccoli plants sprouted, but growth for two are being crowded by the Swiss Chard plant. Only one of the Swiss Chard plants sprouted, and is growing robustly. It was moved to position L10. Positions L03-L06 were plugged. The Arugula in position L11 an L12 came from a different Farm tray. After the picture was taken, harvested leaves from the Swiss Chard and Arugula plants. Measured the pH (6.16) and dissolved solids (312 ppm). The pH was OK (should be between 5.5 and 6.5), but the dissolved solids were low (should be between 500 and 700). So added plant food before the next scheduled feeding in 4 days.
AeroGarden Farm 03, Right Tray, Day 38. Cauliflower, Kale, and Cilantro (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Cauliflower plants sprouted, and are growing robustly. Two of the three Kale plants sprouted, and are growing. All Cilantro plants sprouted but are growing slowly. The Kale was moved to positions R07-R08 and will try to start another Kale plant for position R09. The Cilantro was moved to the front three positions R10-R12. Positions R04-R06 were plugged to allow more space for the Cauliflower and Kale. Measured the pH (6.50) and dissolved solids (562 ppm). The pH and dissolved solids were OK, so will wait until the next scheduled feeding. The cauliflower plant at R02 leaves were turning brown, so it was removed. The Cilantro plants are growing slowly and were being crowded by the larger Kale plants so were moved to a different Farm tray.
AeroGarden Farm 03 Right Tray at 28 days. R01-R03 Cauliflower; R07-R09 Kale; R10-R12 Cilantro; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/11, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Harvest – Swiss Chard, Kale, Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5,6, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Tomato and Bean Soup with Swiss Chard, Kale, Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/5,6, 1/25 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04, Right Tray, Day 14. The Basil at position R01 is doing well. The other Basil, Chives, Dill, Parsley, and Thyme plants are much smaller. The Oregano and Rosemary plants did not sprout. Measured the pH (4.89) and dissolved solids (747 ppm). The bowl was drained and refilled with 8.7 L rain water and 16 mL plant food. Measured the pH (5.89) and dissolved solids (525 ppm).
AeroGarden Farm 04 Right Tray at 14 days. R01-R03 Basil; R04 Genovese Basil; R05 Chives; R06 Dill; R07 Dill; R08-R09 Parsley; R10 Oregano; R11 Rosemary; R12 Thyme. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/11, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (63.2 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (7.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Clouds and rain most of the morning. At this time of the year the sun is lower, and the Sycamore tree leaves shadow the solar panels in the afternoon. Overall a net deficit of 56.1 kWh.
Weekly Electric Energy Used (427 kWh) from Sense and Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (176 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Overall a net deficit of 251 kWh. Of that 158 kWh is due to the new hydroponic systems.
AeroGarden Farm 05, Left Tray, Day 14. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.53) and dissolved solids (704 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L DI water and 24 mL of Miracle Grow plant food). New ph 4.38 and dissolved solids (570 ppm). I hope this turns things around.
AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 05, Right Tray, Day 14. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.77) and dissolved solids (533 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L DI water and 24 mL of Miracle Grow plant food). New ph 4.38 and dissolved solids (570 ppm). I hope this turns things around.
AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07, Left Tray, Day 14. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.77) and dissolved solids (489 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L rain barrel water and 17 mL of Base and 17 mL of Bloom plant food). New ph 6.08 and dissolved solids (750 ppm). I hope this turns things around.
AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 07, Right Tray, Day 14. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). The plants do not look as well as when they were transplanted. The stalks have turned red, and the leaves seem to be drying. The new roots do not appear to be forming as compared with the roots in the Hydroponic Tubs (see below). I checked the pH (3.70) and dissolved solids (500 ppm). The pH is too acidic, so I decided to empty the water and replace with a new solution (8.7 L rain barrel water and 17 mL of Base and 17 mL of Bloom plant food). New ph 5.95 and dissolved solids (708 ppm). I hope this turns things around.
AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 14. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/10, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Day 31 and Tub 02 (Right) Day 14. Tub 01 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 02 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 01 (pH 6.06, 698 ppm); Tube 02 (pH 5.62, 740 ppm). The trays were drained and replaced with 6 L of rain barrel water and 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food. Tub 01 (pH 6.06, 727 ppm). Tub 02 (pH 6.16, 739 ppm)
Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Tub 02 (Right). Day 24 L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Roots. Day 24 L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Hydroponic Tub 02 (Right) Roots. Day 24; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) and Tub 04 (Right) Day 02. Both Tubs have Sweet Charlie Strawberry plants with washed roots (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 03 (pH 4.52, >1000 ppm); Tube 02 (pH 4.25, 693 ppm). The tubs were drained and replaced with 6 L of rain barrel water and 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food. Tub 03 (pH 6.18, 716 ppm). Tub 04 (pH 6.05, 707 ppm).
Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Tub 04 (Right). L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Roots. Day 24 L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Hydroponic Tub 04 (Left) Roots. Day 24 R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Day 31 and Tub 06 (Right) Day 14. Tub 05 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 05 (pH 5.53, 690 ppm); Tube 06 (pH 5.56, 683 ppm). Did not change the solution, just added 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food.
Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Tub 06 (Right). L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Day 14 and Tub 08 (Right) Day 14. Tub 05 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). The previous 100 W LED Grow Lights were replaced with AeroGarden 45 W Grow Lights. The lights are programed to go on at sunrise and off at sunset. These plants appear to be doing well. Tub 07 (pH 5.25, 733 ppm); Tube 08 (pH 5.00, 687 ppm). Did not change the solution, just added 12 mL of Base and 12 mL of Bloom plant food.
Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Tub 08 (Right). L01-L06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (61.1 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (34.4 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Another sunny day, but at this time of the year the sun is lower, and the Sycamore tree leaves shadow the solar panels part of the day. Overall a net deficit of 26.7 kWh.
AeroGarden Bounty 01, 28 Days. Cosmos Dwarf Sensation, Cosmos Early Dwarf, Zinnia Thumbelina, Zinnia Lilliput Mix, Marigold Sparky Mix, Blanket Flower, Sweet Alyssum, Lance-leaf Coreopsis, and Plains Coreopsis (All wildflower seeds from American Meadows). All plants sprouted. The two Cosmos, two Zinnia, Marigold, and Plains Coreopsis continue to growing well. The Blanket Flower, Sweet Alyssum, and Lance-leaf Coreopsis are still very small and there is some mold growing on the brown substrate.
AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 28 days. 01 Cosmos Dwarf Sensation; 02 Cosmos Early Dwarf; 03 Zinnia Thumbelina; 04 Zinnia Lilliput Mix; 05 Marigold Sparky Mix; 06 Blanket Flower; 07 Sweet Alyssum; 08 Coreopsis Lance-leaf; 09 Coreopsis Plains. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Bounty 02, 28 Days. Crimson Clover, California Poppy, Oriental Poppy, Red Poppy Mix, Red Poppy, Blue Cornflower, Purple Cornflower, Lemon Mint, Lupine (All wildflower seeds from American Meadows). The Blue Cornflower (Bachelor Button) is growing robustly and blocking other positions. The Oriental Poppy and Purple Cornflower have not sprouted. The remaining planse sprouted, but are small and growing slowly.
AeroGarden Bounty 02 (Right) at 28 days. 01 Crimson Clover, ; 02 California Poppy; 03 Oriental Poppy; 04 Red Poppy Mix; 05 Red Poppy; 06 Blue Cornflower; 07 Purple Cornflower; 08 Lemon Mint; 09 Lupine. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
I decided to move the larger successful plants to one of the AeroGarden Farm hydroponic trays where they will have more room to grow and develop. The smaller plants from both Bounty 01 and Bounty 02 that were alive were moved to Bounty 01, and the ones that had not germinated discarded. The tray was cleaned and filled with a fresh growth solution (4.25 L DI water + 12 mL plant food; pH 4.96, 592 ppm). Bounty 02 was was also cleaned and filled with a fresh growth solution (4.25 L DI water + 12 mL plant food; pH 4.93, 584 ppm). It was then restarted with new seeds. 01 Oriental Poppy; 02 Oriental Poppy; 03 California Poppy; 04 Nasturtium; 05 Purple Cornflower; 06 Red Poppy; 07 Red Poppy; 08 Red Poppy; 09 Red Poppy Mix.
The Swiss Chard in Farm 03 Left was blocking other plants and needed to be harvested again.
AeroGarden Farm 03 Left Tray at 33 days. L01-L03 Broccoli; L04-06 Swiss Chard; L07-L09 Basil; L10 Dill; L11-12 Parsley. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (59.4 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (4.6 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy and rainy all day. Overall a net deficit of 54.8 kWh. Geothermal HVAC to heat the house (0 kWh), Hydroponics (22.6 kWh), Computers and Servers (19.5 kWh), Kitchen (2.6 kWh).
Daily walkabout with a Fuji X-H1 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens and 1.4x teleconverter. I was looking to see what survived he frost we had a couple nights ago. There are still some Cosmos, Marigold, Lemon-Mint, and Larkspur flowers. The Burma Water Gourd vine is also still blooming. I see a couple of gourds have set, but don’t expect them them to get much bigger than they are. I also found I still have some late season strawberries.
Click on the above image to access my Photoshelter Gallery with the individual images in the following slideshow.
Daily Electric Energy Used (64.8 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (6.3 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. It rained most of the day so not much sun. Overall a net deficit of 58.5 kWh. Geothermal HVAC to heat the house (2.7 kWh), Hydroponics (22.6 kWh), Computers and Servers (21.7 kWh), Kitchen (3.4 kWh).
Weekly Electric Energy Used (410 kWh) from Sense and Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (192 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Overall a net deficit of 218 kWh.
Indoor Hydroponic AeroGarden Farm XL. Setup and Planting.
The three new Farms were assembled yesterday. Today I set them up with deionized water (~10 L/tray) and plant food (16 mL/tray). I then planted Bok Choi, Edible Flowers, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Swiss Chard, Kale, Hot Peppers, eight varieties of Basil, and Arugula. Each of the trays was programed for the type of plants, and the LED lights lowered to just above the tray for the germination process. All recorded with a Garmin VIRB-360 camera for a time-lapse video.
Daily Electric Energy Used (58.5 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (33.8 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. A bit more sun than yesterday, but getting colder. Overall a net deficit of 24.7 kWh. Closing the windows, and switching the Geothermal HVAC on to heat the house.
