Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
FIGURE 6.20
The aeroponic MicroGarden with the pots and plant support tops
in place. (Courtesy of Botanicare, Tempe, Arizona.)
Many of these manufacturers also make propagation units. Most are an
aeroponic system. These units are principally for rooting vegetative cut-
tings. They are particularly suitable to ornamentals. Since we start our
vegetable crops from seeds, as was described in Chapter 2, there is no
reason to discuss these units. I only want to say that basically most are
aeroponic systems such as the RainForest units by General Hydroponics
and the Clone Machines of Botanicare. Depending upon their size these
units are priced from $240 to $450.
A new product that is an aeroponic system is the Omega Garden. This
is a device that supports a slowly rotating growing cylinder that turns as
a water pump either mists or submerses the roots with a nutrient solu-
tion (Figure 6.21). This rotating garden is called a Volksgarden. The unit
measures 48 inches in diameter by 76 inches tall by 30 inches wide, which
includes the supporting stand.
Seeds are started in rockwool cubes and transplanted to 3-inch rock-
wool cubes that are placed into channels of the rotating garden cylinder
(Figure 6.22). A motor drives the cylinder that rotates about a central
light of 400 to 1000 watts. The cylinder is constructed of ABS food-grade
