AeroGarden Root Trimming Experiment: Should you trim hydroponic roots? 

Thank you for running this experiment! I have been very curious about the effect of root training and trimming.

Thank you so much for this video! I was very curious about trimming also, and haven’t even set up my AeroGarden yet. Haha I’m devouring these videos before opening the box. 😂

it will save the pump forsure I've had aerogardens for about 5 years now and it will go from silent to loud like a refrigerator if you dont

What a perfect video! Thank you for doing this.

Your point about introducing issues due to mucking about with the roots is very valid. Open wounds on a plant become potential entry points for anything nasty that may be lurking around. Just touching roots with bare hands can cause damage and the damage plus stress can make them vulnerable. I discovered this when i moved a large root bundle away from another very gently with my bare hand. After a couple of hours i could see exactly where my hand had touched the root bundles, the area had changed from bright white to a yellowy tan. The damaged area never recovered and i learned my lesson. If you remove plants from the system be aware that just hanging them in the relatively dry air (compared to the humid root chamber) can potentially cause damage and stress. If you have outdoor units i definitely wouldnt risk taking the plants out in the middle of the day :) Stressing a plant is likely to cause a growth stall which could cost you 2-3 days in lost time. Having said that, if you have to cut the roots due to pump issues etc then you have no choice. I take the view that a plant wont spend precious time and resources growing roots it doesnt need :)

If you are thinking of changing nutrients in the AG, I'd definitely be interested in a video on that. I always trim the roots in my AG units, just to avoid them getting tangled in the pump.

I know you trimmed those roots nicely, however from my own personal experiment, I had massive amts of roots like that on some plants, and not only did I trim straight across, but up the side at an angle! THAT WAS A NO! NO! There are lots of tidbits of root fray that came off in the water & over a short period of time clogged up the tall white channel that attaches to the pump. I could hear the pump making noises as usual & thought all was well UNTIL all the leaves on my only bell pepper plant began to droop. I thought it needed a lil more nutrients, but that was not the case. Then the leaves on the basil & whatever other plant I had in the AG began to do the same. I knew something was seriously wrong. So because I do a DEEP SANITIZE about every 6 wks(take even the top grow deck apart & spray with bleach) I thought there were roots that had possibly gotten between the deck again as it did 1 other time(btw, I have 5 Bounty Elites), I decided to take apart the deck. Before doing so a friend suggested to check the pump & see if it was operating properly. So I placed the pump back into the open base of the AG, hooked it up, without the grow deck, and the pump came on as usual but was NOT pumping water up through the tall white channel. Upon further investigation with a flashlight, I discovered there was a small root ball of those short frayed roots blocking the water flow!! Even though the pump was coming on the water was not getting to my plants. I had to take tweezers & reach down that chute to pull it out. Once I did that, everything worked great. I did not have to pop the top deck apart which I was very happy about... that's just 1 of my errors I learned the Hard Way from. And yes I lost all the plants in that garden bc of my error. So from now on I NEVER TRIM up the sides where it is so thick, but only the bottom length of any roots.

This was great!! Very helpful to hear and see thoughts! Thanks!!

It’s ok I have did it before

You mentioned in your ‘tips for beginners’ video that you were going to do a pruning video, but I don’t see it. Have you done one yet? Great videos!

Great video! Do you have the link for the pruning shears? I didn’t see it in you comments

Victory seeds is a good seed company. I get my dwarf tomatoes from there.

I am wondering why you don't use aluminum foil for covers instead of buying the stickers? I just started some seeds and used foil but was wondering if maybe they will be too dark or reflect too much heat. I cut holes in the centers. Thank you.

Also I meant to make mention that as soon as you notice 2 plants in 1 pod, it is ok to cut the extra plant out as soon as possible to allow the strongest looking plant to grow effectively. I had 3 jalapeno plants in my AG pod they sent me. Was way to crowded. A friend suggested cut 2 out, leaving the strongest & healthiest plant. I did, and started seeing peppers developing almost immediately. 😊

Hi Kiri ♥️ have you ever had the mycelium colonize the whole top part of your aerogarden sponges and remain there my swiss chards have that going on I'm not sure it's mycelium lol

I want to see experiments with other nutrients, I'd recommend dry nutrients because it's bad for the environment to ship water. Great video!!

Thx for the information. i have only one question: Do you ever remove the sticky tags that you placed on the pods?

Do you still get your seeds from Baker Creek? I live in Canada (Ontario) and having a hard time finding a good, reliable place to buy seeds from. I looked up Baker Creek, and looks like shipping can take WEEKS to Canada!

Hi Iam about to cut and propagate my monstera albos I will have 8 cuttings and I wanted to try hydroponics like deep water culture or cloner for consistency and best and fast results, has anyone tried it or can recommend anything! Thank you

What scissors are you using? :)

What caused the tip burn ?

Have you received your pods already in the plastic holders and the stickers already on the pod holders? I feel like I received a used item because the stickers are placed poorly and I saw you had a sheet of stickers (which I didnt).😢

if u love spending time trimming roots and filling up this system is ok. i like to spend my time on other hobbies, that is why i like set and forget systems, so i only need to spend my time picking the veggies and fruits

this is not hydroponic, but aeroponic hence the NAME. I guess yoou are allowing the roots to live in the water so making it hydroponic