By Beth11
Rocky cucumbers in an Aerogarden Pro 200
Submitted on Sat, 2010/10/16 - 6:24pm
Last updated on Sun, 2011/01/09 - 11:53am
Posted in
Hi All,
Yup! Trying a cucumber in the AG again. This one is a Beit Alpha (mini) cuc from Johnny's called Rocky. Going to use the Aerofalls (www.aerofalls.com) nutes and tap (well) water. I think I'll focus on the 8-25-17 formulation. Less Nitrogen and more potassium. It is in a Pro 200 that currently won't run the (brand new) pump so I've got an airstone in there. Starting two cells, but only going to grow one. Brand new light bulbs and supplimental lighting from a CFL light fixture. Seeded 16 Oct. We shall see! No pix until we have sprouts.
Both Cucs sprouted 19 October. In plain water at the moment,
22 Oct: Using 8-25-17 nutes. EC 1.3, pH 6.0
24 Nov: Back to 8-25-17 nutes, EC 1.7, pH 6.0. Sad plant but cucs forming:
2 Dec: still a sad plant, one cuc fat. Going to pick it now to encourage more cucs to form:
8 January 2011. Really sad plant, but I've harvested 3 cucs so far and two more are plumping up. Feeding it 16-16-16 nutes. It doesn't seem to care what I feed it! EC 1.7 pH 6.0. Grwth habit is compact. I will try this again.
Mon, 2010/10/18 - 11:15am
#2
Good luck with this one also Beth, I'm afraid I've given up with AG's and cukes as the reservoir size becomes a big issue later on which is a shame.
Tue, 2010/10/19 - 9:06pm
#3
Did you notice in the latest Aerogrow catalog, they show a cucumber growing "with the grow anything kit" in a pro200? They didn't mention which variety, of course. 
Looked like a pickling cuke - stripey and stumpy.
They also mentioned their new liquid nutes have improved pH buffering. Hm. That would be nice...
Wed, 2010/10/20 - 8:02pm
#4
No, I didn't see that. But the "master gardener" kit said cucs could be grown. That's why I got my first ag two years ago! I need to redo the nutes tomorrow. I'm interested what the aerofalls nutes pH turns out to be with well water.
Beth
Sat, 2010/10/23 - 7:33pm
#5
You inspired me. Cukes planted today.
I thought I had some more cucino seeds, but I didn't. Ended up planting tendergreen, since they seem to do better in a pot than any of the others I've grown. With some bush beans, at least for now.
Mon, 2010/11/08 - 9:04pm
#6
Cuc update. Looking OK, but starting to see the brown spots on older leaves. Still using the 8-25-17 nutes, 1.6 EC pH 6.0. Itty Bitty cucs forming
Mon, 2010/11/08 - 9:20pm
#7
Interesting - so the brown spots aren't related to pH, huh? You seem to be controlling pH pretty carefully. (I usually get lesions from letting the pH drift low when the reservoirs get low, esp. on eggplant and lettuce.)
Mon, 2010/11/08 - 9:29pm
#8
Hi Gisette,
Aerofalls nutes have been really consistent pH wise. Not sure if it is using well water or just a small plant so far. I squirted it with seaweed juice (foliar feed because I have it). So, not a scientific experiment at all - different plant, airstone not pump, different nutes and EC, different water and squirty foliar juice. Goal is to get more than two cucs this year. Backup is a Tasty Jade cuc in a pot under fluorescent lights (seeded yesterday).
Beth
Mon, 2010/11/08 - 9:37pm
#9
Beth,
Consistency in pH is an awesome feature. I may buy some of this stuff for my mother, who's currently using up my old AG tablets. Her vinca leaves are very yellow.
I can so relate to the cucumbers-not-science strategy. Thought you got more than just 2 last year - now I feel better...
Mon, 2010/11/08 - 9:44pm
#10
Two cucs in the ag - 16 from the earthbox last year. I'll keep an eye on pH as the plants get bigger. I like the aerofalls so far,,,
Really looking forward to this one, Beth!