MetaEfficient Reviews » Hydroponics

AeroGarden: Easy, Efficient Indoor Gardening

Pamela — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:44:29 +0000

In 2004, MetaEfficient.com pre-reviewed the AeroGrow aeroponics growing system. That was before the system was released. A couple of years ago, you couldn’t cut on your TV without seeing an ad for AeroGrow indoor gardening systems. It isn’t as ubiquitously advertised now, but it hasn’t disappeared from the market. In fact, five years after its initial release, there are several AeroGrow systems for consumers to choose from. Now that the AeroGrow system has been tried and tested, how has it fared? (more…)

Chinese Design Winner: High-Rise With Vertical Hydroponics

Justin — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:35:59 +0000

This apartment high-rise concept won a sustainable housing award recently in China. It integrates a vertical greenhouse into the high-rise. Designed by Knafo Klimor Architects, the “agro-housing” concept allows the residents to produce their own food, reducing commuting needs and providing a green neighbourhood. The greenhouse is a multi-floor structure for cultivation of crops such as vegetables, fruits, flowers and spices, equipped with a drip irrigation system that re-uses grey water. (more…)

SmartGardens: Automated Growing

Justin — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 07:16:36 +0000

SmartGardens are specially designed gardens that automatically water and feed plants without the need for pumps, timers and nutrient monitoring. They incorporate a watering system called a SmartValve, which enables the plants to be gravity fed, instead of through a pump. This means there is no need for a reservoir below the garden to capture runoff. There are some more details here. SmartGardens can be placed on the ground, on racks or even on shelves.

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LED Lights: Efficient Indoor Growing

Justin — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 19:59:57 +0000

LED grow lights are a good choice if you are interested in growing indoors without a lot of hassle. Traditional grow lights generate a lot of heat and use large amounts of electricity, which raises your monthly electric bill by noticeable amounts. These LED grow lights stay cool, and use only a minuscule amount of energy.

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Red LEDs to Grow Lettuce

Justin — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 07:09:29 +0000

Apparently red LEDs are 60% more efficient than fluorescent light when growing vegetables hydroponically.

According to IEEE Spectrum Online: Of all the colors of the rainbow, red is lettuce’s favorite. Chlorophyll, the electrochemical engine of photosynthesis, runs on red photons. So if you are growing the vegetable indoors in a factory, why waste energy on colors you don’t need?

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Self-Regulating Aeroponics System: AeroGrow

Justin — Wed, 13 Oct 2004 17:35:06 +0000

We don’t usually feature products that are prototypes or not yet on the market, but this aeroponics system looks quite intriguing. It is due to be released in the next month of so, and it is aimed to take aeroponics to the mass consumer market.

Aeroponics is similar to hydroponics, but the roots of the plants are exposed to the air and a nutrient solution is sprayed on to the roots.

The Aerogrow System is designed to be a “plug-and-play” system for growing. It uses a humidifying chamber regulated by electronics. The details of the technology are here.

We are curious to know if the system will live up to it claims.

The basic model is priced at $99.

Home Page: AeroGrow