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Aeroponics - Finally a system you can trust! |
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| Aeroponics is the hydroponic theorists dream - soilless growing with massive aeration and phenomenal results. Up until now there hasn't been a reliable system - but we've just found one... |
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Introduction
Aeroponics – good in theory, difficult in practice. For years that has been the common view of aeroponic systems. We all know that if we could ever find one that was reliable, the performance of a good aeroponics system had the potential to be huge. We’re not quite there yet with a full scale system that we trust – but we have got the next best thing… an aeroponic propagator that really works! For many years now Nutriculture with their ever increasing range of affordable “go faster” hydroponics systems have been one of our most popular suppliers. They have produced numerous variations of their popular and trouble free NFT Gro-Tanks, Hydro-Duct NFT Trays, and Flood & Drain tables. This latest addition is a neat, affordable little Aeroponic Propagator that looks too good not to give it a try - so we thought we’d do just that and pass on our test results to you guys.
Looks familiar
This looks like a Nutriculture product - it looks simple, efficient and has that ever-reliable Nutriculture build quality that means it should never leak. This system comes complete with a bottom tank, pump, pipe and sprinklers. These sprinklers spin the nutrient solution against the bottom of net pots that are suspended through holes in an extra thick white correx lid. The propagator comes complete with a clear plastic lid to completely enclose your plants, but this needs to be removed once cuttings or seedlings are started and roots are showing. That said, plants can easily be held back in this system until they are needed if required. This system come in two sizes, one with 12 x 55mm net pots and one with 20 x 55cm net pots. Both units are the same size and are available as either a heated or unheated unit.
12 Plant Aeroponic Propagator
Long- 600mm x wide- 500mm.
Tank depth- 280mm.
Total depth with lid- 420mm.
Comes with MC420 pump, pipe and one sprayer.
12 net pots- 55mm diameter x 50mm deep.
12 Grodan Cuttings Seed Cubes
Plus…
Visi-lux nutrient heater if purchasing heated version
20 Plant Aeroponic Propagator
Long- 600mm x wide- 500mm.
Tank depth- 280mm.
Total depth with lid- 420mm.
Comes with MJ1000 pump, pipe and four sprayers.
20 net pots- 55mm diameter x 50mm deep.
20 Grodan Cuttings Seed Cubes
Plus…
Visi-lux nutrient heater if purchasing heated version
What you get
Like all Nutriculture systems these systems have relatively few parts and are fairly quick and easy to set up. Each package consists of the tank, top plate and correx support tray, propagator lid, pump, pipe, sprinkler(s), net pots and Cuttings Seed Cubes. Heated versions of these systems will also come with an adjustable visi-therm nutrient heater which you place in the base of the bottom tank. You’ll need to get your nutrients, ph test and adjust equipment. These items do not come with the system.
Set Up
Like all Nutriculture systems set up should be quick, easy and fairly trouble free. The first real decisions you will have to make are which feeds and medium to use.
Feeds
To root cuttings and start seeds use a weak feed (about one quarter normal strength) with your favourite boosters or additives. Use any good quality hydroponic feed like Advanced Hydroponics, or Vita Link. Adjust the pH of the solution to between 5.6 and 6.4.
Medium
The most obvious immediate options that come to mind are either: Grodan Cuttings Ceed Cubes (supplied with the system) with the pump on a timer while they root; cellmax rockwool growing cubes with the pump on continuously/or on a timer (some experimentation may be needed); coir with the pump on a timer/continuous (some experimentation needed); clay pebbles with the pump on continuously.
With some media, like Cuttings Seed Cubes, running the system on a timer to reduce wetness in the cube may work better than having the pump on all the time.
Whatever media you choose to use, once the roots show at the outside of the net pot, you must run the pump 24 hours a day to avoid root damage. This is the same for any system where the roots are exposed. This would also be the time to take the lid off to avoid any damage to the top side of the plant.
Moving Plants On
Now the lid is off and the cuttings or seedlings are up and running. Either way you should see roots emerging from the net pots. Whatever media you’re using, the pump and sprinklers should now be on 24/7 to avoid damaging the roots.
The plantlets can now be moved on in to other systems or pots. Plantlets can be held back in the system for quite a while, although don’t expect to be able to get the net pot off if you grow the plants in there for a while. Leaving net pots on shouldn’t cause any problems though so don’t worry.
Spares
- Propagator tank
- Deluxe propagator lid
- Top plate & Support tray
- 55mm Net pots
- Propagator pump. MC420 or MJ1000
These are all available as spares to order and will be in the catalogue as stock items soon.
The Test…
Type: 12 Plant Aeroponic Propagator (unheated)
Manufacturer: Nutriculture
Price: £45.00
What you get
Black plastic tank, extra thick correx white top plate and support tray, propagator lid, MC420 pump, pipe and one sprayer, 12 net pots.
What you need
- Grow nutrients - We used Vita Link (1ml to 1 litre)
- Additives - We used Superthrive ( 2 drop to 1 litre)
- Pump timer - We used Grasslin Digital Timer
- pH down and test kit - We used General Hydroponics test kit (yellow)
- Growing medium - We used Grodan Cuttings Seed Cubes (supplied with system)
- Misting Sprayer - We used Orange 1 Litre double action sprayer (with water and weak rhizotonic solution)
- Grow Light - We used 2 Tube Bright-Wing Fluorescent light unit ( 50cm (20 inches) from propagator lid)
What we did
For this test the Grodan Cuttings Seed Cubes supplied with the system were used and due to their ability to retain moisture we used a timer on the pump to re-wet the cubes twice a day for one minute. Once the roots emerged the system was run 24/7with amazing growth rates.
The propagator lid was removed every other day, to exchange the air and lightly mist the leaves. Remove any excess moisture off the inside lid and open the vents a bit more.
As the light we used had high output 55 Watt tubes, we positioned the light 50cm (20 inches) away from the propagator lid. If using one or two normal fluorescent tubes then position them 5-10cm (2-4 inches) away. A single tube can be placed directly on the lid.
Likes
This is a nice automated system that works very well and is ideal if your want an automated approach to the rooting process. The spinners and sprayers are a nice idea as they are cheap and easy to replace and don’t get blocked up as much as foggers or misters. Nice price. Easy to use. Good results.
Dislikes
None so far!!
things to watch for
- Careful not to damage the root zone when taking the mesh pot out of the hole.
- If going into Grodan Transplanting Cubes, then be quick to catch the roots early or you won’t get them into the hole in the cube.
- Once cuttings have rooted you can use Cannazym to help keep all pipe and fittings clear, and the roots healthy.
Verdict
Yes, once more Nutriculture have come up with a great new product. We got great results with this system, all cuttings rooted healthily in 10 days without tweaking the system. We’re sure rooting times can be reduced considerably if playing around with the media choice and fine tuning growing techniques. The system was easy to set up and use and is a very good simple design keeping costs down, maintenance low and with very little waste do deal with. We like it and at this price were sure it’s going to be a big seller.
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