Aerogarden.org.uk Blog » nutrients

Instructions for Using Liquid Nutrients

admin — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:03:47 +0000

Earlier this year the nutrients for all aerogarden seed kits was changed to liquid nutrients in sachets.
They replaced the old tablet nutrients that often got damaged. Liquid nutrients last longer and are easier to store – and do not have the problem of dissolving in heat.
But they come in different sizes, and some people have come to us a little confused when adding them in and don’t know which sachets to use.
The nutriens come in 8ml and 5.5ml sachets.
Herb and salad seed kits include just the 8ml sachets, and you should use one sachet per feeding (every two weeks).
For chillies, tomatoes and flowering seed kits, both 5.5ml and 8ml sachets are included. Use all one 8ml sachet per feeding at start up, every two weeks until all the 8ml sachets are finished.
After all the 8ml packets are used it’s time to move on to 5,5 ml packets,
as the plants grow bigger and they need that little bit of extra food. Use two 5.5ml packets at each feeding for the rest of the seed kits life.
We recommend pouring the nutrients to a glass of water first, stir them and then pour the whole glass in.

Just don’t forget to shake well, before opening the sachet.

View the PDF of the Aerogarden Seed Kit and Liquid Nutrients User Manual

Troubleshooter – My Plants are Turning Yellow and Not Growing

admin — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:14:22 +0000

If the plants in your Aerogarden are turning yellow and not growing…

When more than one pod in a seed kit fails to germinate, or seedlings show yellowed leaves or are stunted growth, chances are they are experiencing a nutrient deficiency. This is generally caused by one of two things:

Using water that is high in dissolved minerals (“hard water”, well water, or water that has been through a water softener), or

Nutrient tablets that were damaged by high heat or humidity, which occasionally occurs in transport or storage.
If your plants are experiencing these symptoms, it will be important for future success to determine which of these may be causing the problem.

Water

Water that is high in dissolved minerals can cause problems with growth in the Aerogarden and many areas in England do have “hard” tap water. If you are using “hard” water, well water, spring water, or “softened” water, you will experience germination and growth problems in your AeroGarden. The dissolved minerals in the water will block the proper uptake of the nutrients by the plants. Hard water is the number one cause of growth problems in the AeroGarden. Most water filters do not remove minerals.
If you think you may have high mineral-content water, we recommend switching to bottled distilled water (not “spring”, “drinking” or “purified” water) instead, which is available at most supermarkets.

Nutrients

If your Seed Kit experienced very high heat or humidity is shipping or storage, the nutrients may become damaged, causing the same nutrient deficiency symptoms. If your nutrients appeared to have dissolved and leaked out of their container in storage/transport please contact us for replacement nutrient tablets (if the item was originally purchased directly from us).
*Please note – nutrients which appear wet or partially dissolved in their bag are not necessarily damaged – if they are in twin packs of just two nutrients you can cut the bag in half and rinse out the contents in a cup of tepid water (including the nutrient tablets themselves) – then empty the contents of this cup into the Aerogarden water bowl. Be sure to store your nutrients in a cool dry place (a fridge is ideal) to prevent any further absorption of liquid.

Aerogarden Nutrient Tablets Information

admin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:11:52 +0000

What is in the nutrient tablets?

The actual composition of the nutrient tablets, according to the “gourmet herb” seed kit on page 31 in the Gourmet Herb seed kit manual. Aerogarden nutrient tablets consist mainly of mineral salts. These provide the 13 micro and macro nutrients that all plants require, in just the right proportions for your herb plants.
The tablets also contain:

Seaweed for a boost of 70 micro nutrients and trace elements.
A buffer so you can use tap water for your plants.
A binder to hold the tablet together

Are the nutrients organic?
The Aerogarden nutrient tablets are organic, according to current AAPFCO (American Association of Plant Food Control Officials) standards. They have not as yet been tested by British Organic standards but this is something that the US manufacturer is aiming to have done in this year.