CS comes through again

[Spirit Deer]

AG customer service has never been less than helpful to me and my latest problem was no exception.

I e mailed them Sunday that I had two pods in my AG three that didn't sprout, and the third had a plant with yellowed, curling leaves in it.  It was the English cottage seed kit that came with the AG3.  I asked for a replacement of the entire kit, since the nutrients were also wet when I got them and I had been using them anyway.  I asked for a different kit besides the English garden because I was kinda disappointed how this one turned out.  So I asked for a Splash of Color instead, not knowing if such a replacement was possible.

Today I got a nice e from Chris.  He said he'd be sending me a Splash of Color kit and mentioned what he thought the problem might be with the English cottage.  I couldn't be more pleased with this service.  I hope the new kit does just great!

I might try to salvage the poor little yellow curly-leafed plant.  I don't have the heart to just throw it away when it's struggling so hard to live.  Maybe it would be happy in a pot of dirt cuddled up next to the flowers in my SS6.   

[bab43]

Hi Rae,

What might be the problem with the English Cottage kit?  Some of us have had luck with it, others haven't.  In my case I staggered my second and third feeding to three weeks rather than two, which I wish I'd done now on my current flower kit.

So I'm curious, of course! 

[Spirit Deer]

Chris thought it might be the nutes.  He mentioned the switch to liquid nutes soon and thinks the plants will do better with those.

Our English garden kit in the SS6 went crazy and was beautiful.  We started that in May and the petunias are still going great.  Can't wait to see how the Splash of Color does.

[bab43]

I'm expecting the 3-pod Splash of Colour kit soon.  I'm especially looking forward to the Mimulus - it looks like an interesting flower.

[Bobbie]

With my Splash of Color kit, I found the mimulus--while beautiful--didn't last long. It may well be that it simply didn't get enough light.  The leaves of the geranuim are HUGE.  I tried to prune them in such a way that they wouldn't overshade the mimulus, but I just couldn't keep them under control without having the geranium look lopsided.  Perhaps if I'd been more aggressive from the start--I hadn't relized the geranium leaves would be so big.

[bab43]

That's good to know Bobbie.  I'll make sure I enjoy it from the beginning just in case its presence is brief. 

[Spirit Deer]

Thanks, Bobbie.  It's going to be an interesting kit.

We ordered a couple flower kits last night for the SS6.  It's about time to replace the English Cottage kit that's been growing since May.  I've been pulling dead pods for a while now and I think all that's left is the petunias.  We're getting the Incredible Edibles and the Mountain Meadow kits.  I might give the MM kit a try in the 6 and see what happens.  I could lengthen the pods using some of the Master Gardener pods I bought.  We'll see.  Can't decide which one to grow first!  They're both so pretty.

I'm lobbying for a silver AG Classic now.    Since they're being discontinued and the Classics are our favorites.  Not sure where I'd put it, but I'd really like a second one for a second herb garden.  Am I spoiled or what?  I might pick one up if they offer it on the Deal of the Day sometime.

I planted the little struggling petunia from the defunct AG3 in dirt this morning and set it next to the AG3 in my office so it can soak up the extra light.  I hope it'll be happier now.  I'm going to restart that garden, too, because it's doing nothing.  I used my own seeds so that's not a CS issue.  I bought some lavender seeds last weekend so might throw in some of those and see what happens.

[bab43]

We're getting the Incredible Edibles and the Mountain Meadow kits. 

I received my Incredible Edibles yesterday and think I'll put it in the Classic when it's free or the time after that (too many kits...).  I'll probably cut down the end ones.  It's understood here that the AG3 is for flowers, but since they're edible I'm not going to listen to arguments!

I did notice there's a calendula so I'll get to worry over that one again, but there's also snapdragons which I'd like to try. 

[Spirit Deer]

I think I had snapdragons in our SS6.  Everything did well in there but I'm not sure the snapdragons lasted long.

My little petunia from the failed AG3 is perking up a little already.  I set it at the back of the AG3 in my office where it gets lots of light and some heat, too.  I'm curious if it will survive.  I also planted lavender and mimosa (AKA sensitive plant) in the same garden that's nursing the petunias.  I have one mimosa going already, so I'm hoping the others will come up and the lavender, too.

[bab43]

Good luck with them! 

[Spirit Deer]

Thanks.  I think I'll stick with plain water for a while to give the little ailing guy.  That might help wash the bad nutes out.  Chicken soup for sick plants!

[Judith]

One of my white Classics that I purchased for $79.00 at AeroGarden Outlet shorted out and I called and talked to Chris and he sent a new base.  Customer Service at AeroGarden is great.  I have 7 white Classics and they are all doing great.  I learned that I do need to use distilled water and I am using the liquid nutrients and my plants are doing great.  I am very please with all of my AeroGardens.  Thanks Chris. 
Judith

[bab43]

Judith, did the replacement Red Heirloom kits work out for you?

[Judith]

I bought a new white discounted classic and I have just now planted them. I will switch them over to my deluxe when I get through growing the lettuce.   I have been growing the mega cherry tomatoes in my black classics with the deluxe upgrade light  but  halfway through I used reverse osmosis (well) water and it almost destroyed them so I switched back to the distilled water and they are starting to perk up again.  The mega cherry tomatoes are tasting sweet again now that I am back to using distilled water, liquid nutrients and PHup to get the PH to at least 6.2.  I have learned a lot reading the info on this site.  I appreciate all that everyone has contributed and I am still learning.  The only thing I am still unsure of is if I need to watch the calcium levels.  Shane said that it is important with aquariums.

When my Red Herlooms are mature, I will let you know how they are growing.  I have learned that I need to be patient when growing tomatoes.
Judith

[bab43]

Hi Judith,

Sorry to hear reverse osmosis didn't work for you.  It does work for some members but seems to be dependent on the tap water you're starting out with and probably also the RO system itself.

I've wondered about the calcium myself since the distilled water doesn't have any.  The AG tablets and hydroponics liquid nutrients (the ones I've checked) all seem to contain calcium - just the outdoor products I have don't list it at all.  I don't know how to watch it so just keep the symptoms in mind.  At some point I may get a hydroponic calcium/magnesium supplement which can be bought separately, just to have it on hand - I think my outdoor tomatoes could have used them.

I've certainly learned a lot from the site as well and am still learning.  When I'm growing something new I go back to the old posts to pick up the information I missed the first time.  And yes, I've also learned patience with all my gardens.  With the flower kits, I'm lucky to see flowers in two months.

With all your machines you must be growing a number of things.  If you have time (or the inclination) to give updates on your grows in the Glogs section, we'd certainly be interested in hearing about them.