Click and Grow Experiment Overview

In June, I received my first Click and Grow unit. Since then, I've experienced some issues but I believe there are ways to work around them. The common problem I faced was with mold and algae growth. Many people have asked for advice on the Facebook Group but the answers are all the same:

• Remove it and put cinnamon
• Add a fan for circulation
• Fill the water half way or allow time after the water level has gone down
• Take the cap off to let the soil breathe

Sadly, none of these worked for me. It's also very important to note that different environments need different solutions. So, I did some research and found out that usually the growth is a combination of too much water AND being exposed to grow lights. If I just use the unit as is, it is impossible to eliminate any of these. Filling up the water halfway does not do anything because the C&G wicks suck up too much water regardless of how much is present. I see many people comment claiming the unit is supposed to not overwater on its own. Overwatering and keeping the soil moist are two different things. The unit gives enough water to keep the soil wet without causing the seeds to drown. This meant I had at least three options to prevent mold/algae:

1. Replace the wicks with string wicks: these only suck up the required amount of water. If there is too much water, it slides back down through the string.
2. Replace the cups with netted ones: it would add to circulation inside the unit and let roots grow freely.
3. Replace smart soil with other materials: hydroponic materials maybe (ex. peat moss, coconut coir, rock wool, etc.)

I decided I would do a combination of string wicks and a different soil (1/2 peat + 1/2 coconut coir, chosen based on a suggestion in the FB group). Through this experiment, I found that the cup with string wick and a C&G pod still grew mold. This led me to believe that the Smart Soil also sucks up water without really knowing the ideal amount. The cup with the mix and string wick only grew mold on the coconut coir and did not spread into the peat. This could be because the peat moss I bought is advertised as being sterile. More details on my findings and pictures can be found in the FB Group (just search for my name).

For my next experiment, I will incorporate some 3D files I found on Thingiverse. Here are all the changes I'll be doing:

1. Completely covering the soil using a 3D printed file (that was combined instead of being two pieces).
2. Using 3D printed pods originally made for Aerogarden but was converted to fit C&G.
3. Peat moss in the unit using the original cup, lid, and wick.
4. Same as above but replacing the wick with string wick.

These experiments won't be happening until around the week of Halloween because I will be recovering from surgery starting October 13. I will post 5 - 10-day updates once I start and will provide the links to the 3D files I decided to use.

NOTE: I know the growth is not harmful to the plants but I'm trying to eliminate it because it is harmful to people. I have friends who are allergic to mold and I feel I might be sensitive to it as well since every time I go to scrape it off, I need a hit from my inhaler afterward.

Above is a design I did for a contest. I was a late entry so I did not get many votes but I'm still proud of it, especially since I did it all with a mouse (still have not replaced old drawing tablet).

P.S. I am still working on making a crochet hat for my cat.