Possible Girdling of Roots in AG?

Starting to think the AG Peat pods are hit and miss when it comes to the help of proper root formation.
I've noticed that the healthiest plants tend to have roots that grow out of all sides of the pod whereas poor growth occurs when the majority of roots come from the bottom.
I've done surgery before and raised the curled or girdled root into a new pod to initiate lateral growth out of the pod and this has worked.
Has anyone had the same problem?
Looking to re-pod again but always concerned about root damage. ( and the fact that it will set me back, and the naive hope that things will correct themselves) but sometimes action I feel is the only way to ensure the end goal.

And I've never had to use an air-stone to oxyginate the water. Think that when you have the roots growing out of the side that there is plenty of o2 in there already, so not really sure why there's so much emphasis on this extra step. But again I only use the AG for Vegging.
Thanks

You have a couple of interesting ideas. Frankly, I'd be afraid of terminating the tap root, if that's what you're suggesting. With mine, the tap comes out the bottom of the grow pod, down through the center hole at the bottom center of the planting cage and eventually into the nutrient filled reservoir below. He usually does it at an accelerated rate too, compared to the other branching roots. I'm wondering if that's 'the nature of the beast' with A/G/s growing system? With rock wool cubes they seem to grow more out of the sides than the center and I suspect that's because it's a shorter distance. If you're talking about just rolling it up to get it out of the way, I haven't had that much trouble to worry about it.

As far as the air stone is concerned there's a difference between growing and GROWING! And that's what I've gotten with an air stone vigorously fed from an aquarium air pump. I've done it both ways and frankly I've gotten faster growing, more vigorous plants with the addition of an air stone. True, an air stone is not mandatory but it's recommended by a lot of knowledgeable people.

I've done a lot of these things simply because I was told to by people who I respect because they know a lot more than me. If you've had inorganic chemistry though it makes sense. Water can absorb oxygen just like a carbonated beverage can absorb CO2, only on a much smaller scale. The oxygen absorbed through the bubbling action caused by an air stone not only agitates and moves your nutes, but it can increase the oxygen content. That will assist in the uptake of a lot of the nutrients by the roots in our reservoir.

You might also want to install and use a poor man's sugar, water and yeast CO2 generator when you get into vegging. I'd never done that before last year either but there's a noticeable difference in vegging plants that are fed CO2. There's not really enough in the ambient air and if they're enclosed it can be ciritcal. There are all kinds of DIY CO2 generator video clips on the internet.

I use my Aerogarden for everything but then again that's why I bought it.

I dont like to use those stupid sponges the seed pods come with. I use rapid rooters cut down to size.

I think it's what ever turns you on. I liked the sponges and the solid one piece planting cages better than the flimsier two piece cages and growing coco shell pods they sell now but you can't get the others anymore. So you just have to go with the flow. I'v tried cutting down various other products, rock wool cubes and Rapid Rooter pods but it was a mess and what's your time worth?

Cool, I replied but it didnt show up. Just not sure how anyone could use the AG throughout the entire process.
Too much work having to deal with the excessive roots and the possibilty of them clogging the motor.
I like to get that rapid veg groth then transfer to a soiless medium,, continue the veg for awhile longer or until all has acclimated.
Then the sky's the limit as far as support and lighting.

HSA said:

I think it's what ever turns you on. I liked the sponges and the solid one piece planting cages better than the flimsier two piece cages and growing coco shell pods they sell now but you can't get the others anymore. So you just have to go with the flow. I'v tried cutting down various other products, rock wool cubes and Rapid Rooter pods but it was a mess and what's your time worth?

Click to expand...

The one on the end was originally in that sponge thing. All planted at the same time. The other four are in rapid rooters. The only success Ive had with the original sponge is with clones.

What I did with my AG is germ my seed and let it sprout in dirt. Then I took one of those pods for the AG and I cut it right down the side leaving just enough attached to keep it all together. Then I pulled my sprout out of the dirt, rinsed it off really good to get all the dirt off of it with ph'd water and transplanted it into the pod for the AG. The roots took off and are doing great. Hope this helps.

Redmo: To keep the roots out of your pump you can wrap it and the tower in a woman's short nylon sock like they wear with flat shoes. You can buy a pump cover from a hydroponics store for $15 but the nylon sock does the same thing and it can be fun getting it off your girl friend or wife. About all the A/G filters keep out of the pump are boulders.

You can also prune the roots but never cut away more than a third of the new growth and always add a shot of vitamin B-1 to prevent plant shock.