increasing root space AEROPONICS

[fredrick ford]

I reacently bought a 16" by 14", 4 plant aeroponic setup. I planned on starting my clones in small rockwool cubes than placing the cuttings in the basket provided w/ the grow rocks (lava rocks whatever their called). I was thinking though, if the idea of aero is to allow the roots to be in constant contact with oxygen, should I be thinking about finding smaller baskets so the roots can grow past the medium(rocks) faster. would this increase the amount of o2 available to the roots allowing for more root hairs, or should I follow the manu. instructions?

THANX

[v3d4]

follow the instructions i think. dont forget that the plant needs something to hold onto, and by flowering time the tops get heavy so that big ass plants in small baskets will be fallin over, and you have to tie them up or something and its a hassle, i kno from experience

[Sureshot]

^ Depending on the (aero) system, allow the drainage to form a lower res in each chamber, ie move the drain holes up.

[koshiva]

The lava rocks(medium)..natur ally are full of gaps so the plants get plenty of oxygen in them...so yes follow instructions...but always good to question procedure. The lava rocks themselves, will be full of moisture too...so no worry about if the clones get moisture when roots are not yet submerged into the water.

Aswell as the fact the clones get plenty of oxygen in the lava rocks, when you plant your clones into the lava rocks...if that water is warm,(heated or good ambient temp) it will only be a matter of two or three days before the roots of the clones will have grown right through the lava rocks and into the water itself. Once they get into the water...like hydro, when the roots are submerged like that, as a defense mechanism, the roots grow fatty cells to protect themself against the water..and no air....so oxygen over kill is the order of the day..and they can do very well. I think the ideal water temp is about 25C.

Having said that, 4 plants is not many and I bet you would have far better results growing in soil. See how you go any way. If your plants do poorly this time round, ie problems etc....next time, you can prob easily adapt your system so it remains 'automated' which is ussually the only reason one would choose hydro/aero....apart from not having to deal with soil/dirt..mess.

If you did adapt your system in the future for soil...for example, you would get some say 5 litre pots...the bottoms would have a round hole in them so that your wick/baskets would sit through the hole and sit on the lip of the hole you put in the pot. That would be filled with your clay pellets and the pots filled with organic soil....the clay pellets in the water would draw moisture up into the soil. More free draining soil mix's(perlite addition etc) may be better suited depending on how moist the soil became with the baskets submerged....(easy to establish best medium)
Just an irrigation system is all. The water would contain no nutrients and would be changed every so often etc....the nutrients would be in the soil.

Just some idea's. Just would mention also..just in case...watch the proliferation of the roots when they hit the water...always periodically lift pots and inspect roots..make sure they do not clog up any water exit holes etc, but more importantly that the roots remain luscious and white...if you see brown roots, cut them off. More air=better roots. Good luck.

Free the herb