Lilypad22....I am now growing 2 small violets under 2 of my BIG Aerogrow units that are currently growing herbs and petunias..but they are just tiny seedlings so far. So the violets get the light,and the seedlings still have room to grow. the lights are VERY close to them,since it is still 'stage 1'. The seeds are still sprouting. So I cant raise the light yet.. I have put a paper towel over the leaves,and sure enough the parts that are covered are growing fast, the parts not covered are burning. the lights are so hot and intense. The natural light here in south Fla, is hot and intense to. But I have 'shade' type screening on my windows,which make the violets grow and bloom great! I thought of that idea long ago..just wondered if anyone was doing it besides me and could tell me if they had good luck. I am having my own good luck so far. But see next post!!

Aother alernative: Non-circulating hydroponic system. Dr. Bernard A. Kratky University of Hawaii (461W. Lanikaula, Hilo, HI 96720, USA): passive/non-circulating hydroponic systems under specific conditions for specifc crops, modified for each species e.g. one metho or potato, another for cucumber, third for lettuce, for watercress, for tomato, etc., each differening in container shape, size, liquid volume, placement strategy according to the requirement of the plant in question... but all depending on the basic principles of non-circulating hydroponics or aeration + nutrition. Have corresponded with Dr. Kratky.. Extremely gracious gentleman. This general idea has utility in some situations for SOME PEOPLE! NOT everyone!! a video demonstrating three non-circulating hydroponic methods (US$29 in USA; $35 overseas postpaid) and a book (39 pages, 10 illustrations; $8.95 plus postage) both titled Non-Circulating Hydroponic Methods. Order the video from UHH College of Agriculture, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720, USA. The book is sold by DPL Hawaii, 39 W. Lanikaula, Hilo, HI 96720; phone 808/935-8785. Growing Lettuce by a Float-Support Non-Circulating Hydroponic Method in Hawaii and Pennsylvania Co-authors: M.D. Orzolek and W. L. Lamont - Pennsylvania State University http://www.plasticulture.org/08BestPaper.htm You may see the pdf files illustrating the methods in color slides of growing potao in newspaper & pot-in-pot kratky@hawaii.edu My question to you all re: Aerogarden: Given that the Aerogarden is very expensive, is it a good functional product to give as a present to a person who oves to grow basil, pasley & kitchen herbs? I am a plant physiologist with more than 28 years of research backround in Controlled Environment Life Support Systems [CELSS] and fundamental membrane biochemistry that is basic to developing & advancing the very aeroponics [& combined hydro/aeroponics that now are called aeroponics inaccurately. I have been present all along some of the earliest evolution of what now are called aeroponics, that grew out of various twists & turns of the NASA-CELSS project.] At a professional level,I can construct all manner of devices that are hopelessly ugly, if very functional. (Thus, useless as a sentimental present.) The Aerogarden seems to fill a niche: a very cute + nifty appliance that promises grow basil, parsley & dill well. My worry is: DOES it hold up to its promise or is it full of glitches, poor workmanship, poor light design, and produces poor quality plants with insipid, disease ridden leaves? Is it troublesome to maintain & operate? Is it ultimately disappointing? If you got one, and used it to grow only herbs, how satisfied would you be/remain in a couple of years? Thanks very much. gautam.

Moldy = too wet. How damp are you making this paper towel? Do your seeds have air? I just successfully germinated six different types of flower seeds on paper towels; I had *too much* success, and when I went to plant them last night, I didn't have enough pots! I had to cobble together a broken tray into an improvised pot and crowded the remaining seedlings in. My English Daisies are going to be crammed in like sardines; better get more pots to thin them into! I had perhaps four seeds out of the hundreds total go moldy. Also, you could always consider what I tried with my lupine. Since the seeds are bigger and had a hard coat, I decided to assist them in a way that I had read about, and added a little hydrogen peroxide to the bag to dampen the towel in lieu of water. Sure looks like it worked; we'll see how they do now that they're in the ground. Plus, H2O2 kills mold. And releases O2 when it breaks down. And listen to grizzman: keep them dark. Light is bad for roots.

ok, am I confused? I thought the Aero Garden had specific plant pellet things you had to buy in whatever variety. I didn't realize you could just do what you want in them. Plus aren't they wicked expensive? I'll be curious to see how people do with them. Kind of like watching the Aqua Globe thread on the container forum (and here I believe), except Aqua Globe for the most part got thumbs down. I agree with Willard on the plant size. Maybe an ornamental would work. Still packs a punch in a smaller package. :) Please include pics of your Aero Gardens!!! Thank you, Erin