MetaEfficient Reviews » Indoor Plants

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…)

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The Most Efficient Humidifier: Areca Palm

Justin — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:32:12 +0000

It’s important to keep indoor humidity at an optimum level (45 to 65 percent). Dry air in the winter is one the main causes of sinus infections and sore throats. You can use a mechanical humidifier to add moisture to the air, but these devices require constant cleaning to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

An easier way to add humidity to a room, is to put a few areca palms in it. These palms release copious amounts of water into the air, and remove chemical toxins too. They are consistently rated among the best houseplants for removing all indoor toxins tested. According to B. C. Wolverton, author of How To Grow Fresh Air, a six foot (1.8 m) areca palm transpires approximately 1 quart (1 litre) of water every 24 hours. So if you put three in your bedroom, the palms will be release three quarts of water per day — not bad!

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Efficient Repurposing: Twist & Spout

Justin — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 04:18:26 +0000

Here’s a way to reuse virtually any soda or water bottle with a screw-on cap. It’s called the Twist & Spout, and it comes in two varieties. Use the Garden style to create a watering can. Use the Kitchen style to make those two-liter soda bottles easy to handle.

A set of two is available from Perpetual Kid for $5.99.

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MetaEfficient: Microgreens

Justin — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 20:03:27 +0000

Growing microgreens is a metaefficient way to have attractive, flavorful greens available for salads and garnishes. Top class restaurants use freshly cut microgreens to liven up their dishes. Microgreens are tiny plants, no more than 8 to 14 days old.

They usually only have their “cotyledon” (first) leaves developed. This also a time when the plants have an optimum flavor and nutrient content. The stem and baby leaves are all that are consumed — unlike sprouts where the roots are also eaten. Usually, the plants are trimmed to inch above root level and allowed to regrow.

Microgreens are usually grown without soil on a water absorbent material like a felt padding or vermiculite. You can also find microgreen growing kits like the Microgreen Growing Kit or the Edible Miniature Garden. A larger scale growing is offered by CropKing.

Some the plants you can grow as microgreens are: Arugula, Mâche, Radicchio, Cress, Bull’s Blood Beets, Mizuna (a Japanese salad green), Basil, Sorrel, Chicory, Chevil, Escarole, Chards, Mustards, Spinach, Kales, Tatsoi and Rapini.

A full list can be found on the SproutPeople web site.

You can buy seeds for microgreens from: Botanikka, SproutPeople, and other vendors listed here.

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Most Efficient Burn Treatment: Fresh Aloe Vera Gel

Justin — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 00:31:37 +0000

The most efficient treatment for burns is: aloe vera gel. Nothing in the world heals burns faster and more effectively. There’s no reason why everyone can’t have access to at least one of these plants, since they are easy to grow indoors. To get best results, the gel must be fresh and undiluted.

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Self-Rejuvenating Prehistoric Plant

Justin — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 04:15:34 +0000

This plant, the Club Moss (Selaginella Lepidophylla), has been around for 290 million years. It pre-dates the dinosaurs, and survived through their destruction, it also made it through the ice age and continues to thrive to this day in the 21st century. It can dry up and hibernate for as long as 50 years at a time. During this time it will curl up and travel around with the wind like a tumbleweed in search of water.

Once it finds moisture it can fully rejuvenate in one day. This death and resurrection process is then repeated for hundreds of years. It’s native home is Mexico and Texas in desert and semi-desert regions.

The spores of Lycopodiophyta are highly flammable and so have been used in fireworks. You can buy it from Science Surplus for $3.50 or Tower Hobbies for $7.59.

Found via Ecofriend.

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Most Efficient Filtering Plant: Boston Fern

Justin — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:39:10 +0000

The Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) — it’s the plant that’s the most efficient at removing formaldehyde (the most common indoor air pollutant).

See our post on How To Grow Fresh Air for more information.

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An Intelligent Indoor Plant Light

Justin — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 08:30:23 +0000

It’s great to brighten up a cold winter day by growing plants under lights indoors. This device aims to make indoor growing easier. It has a grow light (a full-spectrum 9-watt fluorescent), and the lamp turns on and off every day, simulating the changing length of days with the passing seasons. The Intelligent Plant Grow Light also has an adjustable neck that stretches to 14 inches tall, a soil moisture sensor that indicates when it’s time to water, and a pebbled base that catches excess water.

Available from: Cool Stuff for about $32.

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Upside-Down Tomato Garden

Justin — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 00:01:38 +0000

This curious planter takes the toil out of tomatoes by elevating the planting bed so vines grow downward. The hanging vines need almost no attention as tomatoes ripen in the air (not on the ground) where they won’t rot.

Complementary plants like basil, parsley, rosemary, and peppers can be planted on top, which holds up to 80 lbs. of topsoil. The compact planter can fit in any space with ample sunlight, even condominium balconies. Available from Hammacher.Com for $69.95.

Found via Ecofriend and Coolest Gadgets.

AeroGarden: Easy, Efficient Indoor Gardening In 2004, MetaEfficient.com pre-reviewed the AeroGrow aeroponics growing system....

Bonsai Tree In A Can

Justin — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 21:33:49 +0000

From Japan comes this small but efficient plant. It’s a bonsai for an indoor garden on a desktop or a windowsill. The tree can be repotted in a larger pot or outdoors for growing larger. They are $12 each from Branch.

Found via Ecofriend

AeroGarden: Easy, Efficient Indoor Gardening In 2004, MetaEfficient.com pre-reviewed the AeroGrow aeroponics growing system....