Aero Garden

[Jerry]

I just bought a Aero Garden as a Christmas present.
I see it has a Aero Hydroponic system and maybe a neat way to grow orchids without a greenhouse indoors or in a apartment.
It would need some adjustment for orchids but it looks to me as though it would work realy well if someone was willing to spend the time.
Has anyone ever tried this machine with orchids?

Jerry Griffiths
Cast Stone by Ventura Cast Stone

[Becca]

Hi Jerry! I have thought of trying the same thing with one of those! If others haven't tired it you will have to keep us updated on the modifications you make and the progress! My mom was really close to getting me one for my b-day a little over a month ago but I told her I wouldn't have the space for it. I would love to try orchids in a full hydroponics set up and not just the s/h.

[Gin]

I have looked at them and thought hummmm maybe Phrags. ? Please keep us posted on how it works out . Gin

[let_it_grow]

I saw these on TV and thought it may work with orchids that dont grow tall. Something like a Phal or a Paph. I currently have a Paph in water culture so maybe i'll try one on my Phals. If anyone does try it please post cause I'm very curious.

[Jerry]

It's me again.
I forgot to say that I grow all of my orchids in a orchid greenhouse, all of them grown semi-hydroponic, with prime agra.
The semi hydroponic system works incredibly well for me and as a bonus I don't have to spend weekends repotting.
I have never seen a automatic system that I thought would work for smaller mini orchids in a apartment setting until I bought one of these (Aero Garden).
It seems it simulates the same natural way the rainforest orchids would be growing.
Also the watering periods and light periods are all adjustable for different types.
There is no soil involved and the roots hang in mid air inside a enclosed system and get watered automatically from above just like rain.

The Aero garden machines are pretty expensive, normally $150.oo or so. they were on sale for $80.00 so I couldnt resist buying one as a gift as well as one for me.
I am going to grow herbs in my kitchen just for fun with this machine, I bought one as a gift and one for me from "Linens and Things" store in a going out of business sale.
I wont be trying it for orchids as I already have a greenhouse, but for someone who wants to grow orchid indoors maybe in a apartment setting this seems like a secret about to be discovered.

Jerry

[Thurgood]

aero gardens are a bit too small for orchids, also they are more for annuals that would not need repotting. i would stick with the clay aggregate method.

also havnt seen anyone on this site mention it, but a drip system and reservoir, combined with the clay aggregate as a medium would probably be the best bet. and you could let it go for at least a week without maintenance, longer with a very large reservoir.

[Jerry]

I have 5 full grown mini orchids that are only 3" high.
They are a lot smaller than the plants that the Aero Garden was designed for.
The semi-hydroponic method does not need a drip system, the reservior is large enough so you only have to fill it about every 2 weeks.
Also the drip system won't work with the semi-hydroponic system, the nutrients have to be flushed out every watering with a large amount of food/water.
Go to: All about Semi-Hydroponics

It's a great site for S/H

[kenr62]

I have looked into them, but in addition to the limited height a problem with growing in a common solution would be an infected plant (virus etc) could infect all the other plants...

[Becca]

Yes it would have to be a one plant only unit for a compact orchid. A little spendy for just one orchid to grow in it, but hey it could be fun!