What Grows in an Aerofalls? This page includes a partial list of plant types that have been found to grow in AeroFalls™ systems. The list is partial, and expanding as people try new things. In some cases different varieties of the same species will perform very differently. For instance, we've had excellent results with parsley, then, with a different variety, had it do quite poorly. This may be the variety, but it could also be due to differences in light, temperature, pests, and other factors. So there is no simple, single answer to the question of what grows.
For guidance, however, we can look to literature and online information about aeroponics and hydroponics. Another source of information comes from the plants grown in AeroGardens™ (a trademark of AeroGrow™ with which we are not affiliated). Because of the general similarities betwen the earlier, better performing, circulating water models of AeroGardens™ and the AeroFalls™ everything that grows in one of those, will grow in one of these, only larger because the plants will have more room.
Plants that are NOT likely to do well include very large plants, plants that dislike any form of root crowding, plants with large roots or tubers like potatoes or carrots, and plants that react adversely to too much water, like cacti.
The following list should be taken as a starting point. Plants that are similar to these are possible good growers. Try them.
Herbs:
Various species of Basil, including Dwarf globe, globe, Italian, French, purple ruffle, and others
Catnip, Cilantro, Chervil, Sorrel, Savory, Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme, Chives, Dill, Mint, and Parsley, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Parsley, Savory, Napolitano Basil, Lemon Basil and Epazote, Garlic, Chives, Parsley,Mint, Savory, Oregano, Lavender, and Thyme
Fruits and Veggies:
Cherry tomatoes, (may require support)
Peppers Jalapeno, Small Bell, Sweet Peppers
Green Beans
Lettuce: Various Romaine and other Leaf Varieties
Flowers
Coreopsis, Chrysanthemums, Geranium, Marigolds, Petunias, Mimulus, Zinnias
Friday, October 9, 2009
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do AeroFalls™ work?
A: AeroFalls™ work by circulating water and air inside a vertical growth panel from a reservoir at the base. They shower down mini-waterfalls of highly oxygenated water over plant roots, bathing them in water, oxygen, and nutrients.
Q: What growth medium, such as sand, vermiculite, etc. is used.
A: The only medium used is for support of the plants at their base. No medium is in the column where the plant roots hang free in air with nutrient solution flowing over them. The netcup style systems use a small amount of rock wool cubes for plant support, while the smaller port systems us an open cell, reticulated foam wrapped around the plant base.
Q: What can be grown in an AeroFalls™ system?
A: A wide range of plants will grow and thrive in an AeroFalls, but not everything will do well. Sometimes it depends on the particular variety of plant within a given species. For example, dwarf basil does extremely well, whereas greek basil has been more difficult. A growing list of plants that do well is posted elsewhere in this site.
Q: Where can I get replacement parts and pots for AeroFalls™?
A: As an open architecture system, you are not locked in to buying from one source. Net cup based systems use commonly available standard net cups. Replacement pumps are readily available from our source, listed in the Maintenance page in this site.
Q: Can I grow under artificial lighting?
A: Yes, but please remember, most plants like a LOT of light. A few small bulbs will not keep them healthy. A substantial bank of fluorescent lights, or HID lamps is required to do a good job.
A: AeroFalls™ work by circulating water and air inside a vertical growth panel from a reservoir at the base. They shower down mini-waterfalls of highly oxygenated water over plant roots, bathing them in water, oxygen, and nutrients.
Q: What growth medium, such as sand, vermiculite, etc. is used.
A: The only medium used is for support of the plants at their base. No medium is in the column where the plant roots hang free in air with nutrient solution flowing over them. The netcup style systems use a small amount of rock wool cubes for plant support, while the smaller port systems us an open cell, reticulated foam wrapped around the plant base.
Q: What can be grown in an AeroFalls™ system?
A: A wide range of plants will grow and thrive in an AeroFalls, but not everything will do well. Sometimes it depends on the particular variety of plant within a given species. For example, dwarf basil does extremely well, whereas greek basil has been more difficult. A growing list of plants that do well is posted elsewhere in this site.
Q: Where can I get replacement parts and pots for AeroFalls™?
A: As an open architecture system, you are not locked in to buying from one source. Net cup based systems use commonly available standard net cups. Replacement pumps are readily available from our source, listed in the Maintenance page in this site.
Q: Can I grow under artificial lighting?
A: Yes, but please remember, most plants like a LOT of light. A few small bulbs will not keep them healthy. A substantial bank of fluorescent lights, or HID lamps is required to do a good job.
AeroFalls Start
AeroFalls™ are no longer in production, for a variety of reasons explained elsewhere. They were part of a family of products developed by Perception Development Company of Redmond, Washington and a network of engineers and gardeners. Combining a lifelong interest in gardening with modern engineering and common sense, we are designing gardens that enable a whole new range of possibilities by exploring the vertical dimension.
We are not a generic, mega-corporation, but an entrepreneurial startup company, operating out of a 3,500 square foot facility in the foothills of the Cascade mountain range.
After working as a scientist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a Senior Engineer at Concurrent Technologies Corporation, and as CTO at Novavision Inc. and BrandWatch Technologies, Dr. Waterbury decided he would like to do something useful with his life. He therefore founded Perception Development Co. and, among other things, began work on AeroFalls™ to make compact, vertical gardening possible.
Beginning with a vision of placing a growing mass of plants into a picture frame, or an office divider, Dr. Waterbury began experimenting with various systems of fiber mats, screens, complex micro-irrigation systems, and other means of placing plants into a vertical growing environment. Seeing the shortcomings of these systems, complexity, difficulty in maintenance, high cost, etc., he realized that a compact, vertical, maintainable growth system needed to be of a tremendously simple, robust, elegant design.
He turned his efforts towards simplicity, often taking an entire day, or an entire week, to make a single improvement, a single simplification, or make a single part unnecessary. The result is a family of designs that is extendable from very small to very large installations. Maintainable, with plants being removable, replaceable, harvestable without disturbing the system. Modifiable, being constructed with materials and techniques that are accessible to a any well equipped shop. Sustainable, designed from the ground up to facilitate re-use and eventual recycling.
We hope you'll join us in continuing to explore the vertical dimension of gardening.
We are not a generic, mega-corporation, but an entrepreneurial startup company, operating out of a 3,500 square foot facility in the foothills of the Cascade mountain range.
After working as a scientist at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, a Senior Engineer at Concurrent Technologies Corporation, and as CTO at Novavision Inc. and BrandWatch Technologies, Dr. Waterbury decided he would like to do something useful with his life. He therefore founded Perception Development Co. and, among other things, began work on AeroFalls™ to make compact, vertical gardening possible.
Beginning with a vision of placing a growing mass of plants into a picture frame, or an office divider, Dr. Waterbury began experimenting with various systems of fiber mats, screens, complex micro-irrigation systems, and other means of placing plants into a vertical growing environment. Seeing the shortcomings of these systems, complexity, difficulty in maintenance, high cost, etc., he realized that a compact, vertical, maintainable growth system needed to be of a tremendously simple, robust, elegant design.
He turned his efforts towards simplicity, often taking an entire day, or an entire week, to make a single improvement, a single simplification, or make a single part unnecessary. The result is a family of designs that is extendable from very small to very large installations. Maintainable, with plants being removable, replaceable, harvestable without disturbing the system. Modifiable, being constructed with materials and techniques that are accessible to a any well equipped shop. Sustainable, designed from the ground up to facilitate re-use and eventual recycling.
We hope you'll join us in continuing to explore the vertical dimension of gardening.
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