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Plants

Here you can find tips, tricks and guides on plant care

Plant health care tips and tricks

Growing plants in Click and Grow farms and gardens is hassle-free but, unfortunately, alien visitors from the outdoors may come and harm your plant.

Our products are ecologically clean – our soil doesn’t contain any harmful substances e.g. fungicides or pesticides. But this might make your plants somewhat vulnerable to attacks. Here we give some suggestions how to manage your product and what to do if your plants don’t thrive or you find unwelcome visitors in your indoor garden.

 

Tips for bug prevention:

  • Add some plants to your indoor garden that are known as a remedy to repel harmful insects  e.g. lavender, french marigold, peppermint, catnip. These plants contain aromatic oils that are unpleasant to insects.
  • Avoid leaving doors and windows open (e.g for ventilation). This way insects can’t fly to your garden and harm your plants.
  • Inspect the pots, plants, and cut flowers carefully that you plan to bring home from the nursery. Sadly, it is common that “new” plants are already infected with pests and/or fungal diseases before you bring them home. If you see something suspicious e.g. tiny insects or weird spots on leaves, better to not bring it home.

 

Check before you suspect a disease:

  • Is your plant too old?

Edible greens are meant to be consumed in about 30 days and herbs in about 70 days after planting. If your plants change colour in an undesired way, make sure that you have trimmed your plants properly and consumed it in time.

  • Plants aren’t thriving?

The best average temperature to grow your plants is 18 to 24C (64 to 75F). If it is too hot, plants age faster and degrade faster. Lower temperatures prevent seeds from germinating. Also, edible greens, especially lettuce, prefer slightly lower temperatures, max 22C (71F), to produce delicious crops.

  • Leaves or flowers falling off?

Since it is pure nature you have in your garden, plants also produce some natural debris. It means that plants will lose some lower and/or older leaves and flowers once they are done. If some flowers or leaves wither – just remove them.

  • If you allow your plant to grow too tall e.g. basil, it will get burnt if it grows too close to the lamp. In that case you may raise the lamp if it is an option. It is also highly recommended to pinch the plants. If you do so you will have even bushier plant and more crop to enjoy.

http://support.clickandgrow.com/hc/en-us/articles/216827328-How-to-cut-your-plants-

 

Most common insects:

  • The most common insects that may infiltrate your indoor garden are aphids (plant lice, greenfly), spidermites, thrips, whiteflies, mealy bugs, scale insects
    • If you find just the first or just a few insects that have not started a colony yet, you should remove them immediately and you may leave the plants to grow.
    • If you find them already in great numbers you should remove the whole plant(s), because they are very good at hiding in growing points and under or between the leaves.
    • We don’t recommend to use insecticides as a first choice. Most chemicals (even organic ones) are not meant to be used indoors and after the treatment the plants are no longer consumable. Also, most insecticides don’t only work for insects- they will also harm human health.
    • After removing the plants, clean your product thoroughly. Wash the cavities under running water and disinfect all surfaces. For that you can use Cutasept, vodka, vinegar or any other disinfecting product.
  • The soil may get infected with an insect called springtail. They are generally harmless, but they may injure lower leaves of the plant that in turn might get infected with a fungal disease (but not always). There is no need to repel springtails, but you can get rid of them if you change all the capsules at the same time and clean your garden thoroughly before planting new plant capsules. By doing so you prevent the insects from travelling to new capsules. Also, inspect all other ‘oldschool’ plant pots you have in your home. If you have springtails living there aswell, just change your watering regime and let the soil to dry out for a few days and they’ll leave.

 

Fungal diseases:

  • If plants have external injuries or some insects have damaged them, it is likely that the plants are more vulnerable to fungal infection.
  • Fungal diseases travel with air and infected plant material. So, as mentioned previously, always check the new plants you bring home.
  • In case of fungal disease the first thing you will notice is weird spots on or under the leaves and that the leaves will start to wither when they are not supposed to.
    • If it is just the one leaf that is damaged, remove the leaf immediately and carefully inspect all the plants.
    • Disinfect all surfaces, and also your scissors that you use for cutting. For that you can use Cutasept, vodka, vinegar or any other disinfecting product.
    • Most fungal diseases appear when the air is too humid and the temperature is either too hot or cold.

 

Nevertheless, it is likely an exception than a rule that plants get harmed by disease or insects in our indoor gardening systems. After all, one of the benefits of growing your own food and fresh flowers in indoor gardens is that your plants are protected from the hazards of the outdoors. This allows us to give you a clean product without any harmful substances e.g. fungicides and insecticides. Just enjoy!


How to cut your plants?

If your herbs are growing bigger you might want to use some parts of them or cut them back to ensure a “bushier” growth. Here is how to do it:

You can start pruning if your plants have at least 2-3 pairs of real leaves.

Be sure to leave at least 1-2 pairs of real leaves on the plant, otherwise it might die.

Cut the stem with sharp scissors right above the node (the place where leaves come out).

From every cut 2 new shoots will appear and your plant will grow again.

This will extend the lifespan of your plant greatly.
Easiest plants to practice on are the basil, thyme and lemon balm. But most of our herbs can be pruned. Practice makes perfect!


Why is there no fruit on my plant?

Ever wondered why your Tomato, Strawberry or Chilli Pepper has so little fruits? Lack of pollination usually results in few or no fruits.

To help blossoms pollinate, gently shake your plant or use a child’s paint brush to move pollen from one blossom to the next. By imitating the work usually done by the bees and the wind, you should begin seeing fruit in no time.


How to transplant your plants?

The plants are supposed to live in the unit until their natural life cycle ends. However, if you wish, you can transplant them to a bigger pot and grow the plants like a regular gardener – add enriched soil mix and remember to water them. You will also need to remove all the plastic around it. The nutrients in the smart soil will last for 1 year but if you really want to transplant the plants, you should do it before their natural life cycle is up.

The plants in the Smart Garden generally last for about 2-6 months, depending on the plant.

Take the pods separately out from the unit. Remove the pod from its white plastic case – first remove the U-shaped lid, then the plastic cup and then put the plant (yes, the soil as well) in regular soil and in a bigger pot.


What is the life cycle of plants in the Smart Garden?

Different plants have different life cycles. Most plants in the Smart Garden grow for 2-3 months, chili peppers and some blooming plants up to 6 months. The lifetime of a plant also depends on the light available, your room temperature and the way you look after the plant. For example, if you cut off all leaves off an edible herb at once, the plant may die. Also, plants started in winter months may take longer to grow.

  • Mini Tomato 2-4 months
  • Basil 2-3 months
  • Thyme 2-4 moths
  • Chili Pepper 2-6 months
  • Mimosa 2-4 months
  • Lemon Balm 2-4 months
  • Dwarf Basil 2-3 months
  • Stevia 2-4 months
  • Peppermint 2-3 months
  • Wild Strawberry 2-4 months
  • Parsley 2-3 months
  • Petunia 2-3 months
  • Catnip 2-3 months
  • Lavender 2-3 months
  • Cockscomb 2-3 months
  • Painted Nettle 2-3 months
  • Oregano 2-3 months
  • Moss Rose 2-3 months
  • Hyssop 2-3 months
  • Red Basil 2-3 months

 

How long does it take for the seeds to germinate?

Germination speed mainly depends on the temperature of your room. The warmer the environment, the faster the germination.
Usually it takes 1 to 2 weeks to germinate. Some plants such as tomato, chili pepper and stevia may take up to 3 weeks. You will find the most precise details from your plant pod package. Please make sure you keep the transparent germination domes on the pods until sprouts reach them.

How do I use my plant pods?

Currently, we are in the process of transitioning to a new, more sustainable plant pods concept for our indoor gardens and farms that would create less plastic waste and be more environmentally-friendly. Therefore, you might receive different-looking plant pods for different plants or orders, but don’t worry – they are all compatible with all our products.


Why is basil the only option in the Smart Garden Starter Kit?

Even with an easy-to-use product like ours, it’s good to begin with a non-fussy plant. Basil makes your first Smart Garden experience easy. It grows super fast and isn’t bothered by a variable environment (too warm, too humid, no sunlight). Once you get experience under your belt growing basil, you’ll be ready to take on any seed imaginable!

That said, if you feel you have the gardening game down pat, you could add some spicy chilis to your order and grow those instead. Your basil refills will last for 2 years (or you can give them to a friend!).


Can I use my own seeds?

Our gardening team is constantly working on testing new plants to offer you a wide variety to choose between.

However, we have launched the “Experimental pods” for all of you seeking new and exciting experiences – all you have to do is plant your own seeds in the smart soil by following the instructions on your seed packet and click in the cartridge.

Your seeds will most likely thrive in our smart soil which gives them a much better germinating environment with more oxygen, water and nutrients. However, we can not guarantee desired results.


What is the shelf life of the plant pods?

The pods can be stored for about two years in dark and dry conditions and on normal room temperature, therefore, feel free to stock up on different plants for a long-term use!


Why do the 3-packs always contain the same plant?

Our refill 3-packs contain the same kind of plant because this makes it easy for your garden to grow perfectly. With one species, plants will grow at the same speed and won’t overshadow each other. Plus, they’ll look amazingly cute together.

Also, having 3-packs instead of single pods in separate packages is cheaper. You don’t have to pay for unnecessary packaging and postage.