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I was able to successfully grow a 7-Pot Peach pepper in my AeroGarden Bounty. It has produced fruit, and they are super hot! In this article, I explore the pros and cons of growing super hot strains in the AeroGarden Bounty vs cheaper DIY methods.
AeroGarden Bounty
Pros:
- Convenience and aesthetics – These look good for display anywhere in your home or office. Everything is built in, the lights, pump, timers, etc… It’s all self-contained in one system.
- Great support – Aerogrow does a great job backing their products if there are ever any problems, and problems are generally few and far between.
- Function – They work very well, especially for starting plants.
- Plug and play – Does’t require any skill or knowledge to work. Just hook it up, add some nutrients and pods and it’s ready to go.
Cons:
- High cost – For function only it’s much cheaper to build your own system.
- Small grow space and light – The one-gallon reservoir, limited height, and light output limit the size plant you grow.
DIY System
Pros:
- Cheaper – You get more for less, making it yourself. Especially if you upcycle used containers and parts.
- Flexibility – You have total control over the size and type of system you make, including pumps, lights, reservoir, etc…
- More potential for the same or less money.
Cons:
- Can sprawl – Generally, unless designed to be, are not all in one solution, have many parts hooked together. This makes it harder to move the system around.
- Less visually appealing – These, unless designed for aesthetics in mind, and not as pretty as AeroGardens.
- Takes time, skills and knowledge to build – Most basic systems can be made by practically anyone, but some are more complex.
Cost comparison:
Aerogarden Bounty – https://amzn.to/2v6487S Cost, depending if it’s on sale ~ 250.00 – 380.00.
DIY solution to grow a plant 4+ times as big with lots more fruit production, including tent and everything – 350.00 – 400.00.
You could skip the tent and grow it out in the open, or fashion together a cheaper solution of reflective panels, save an additional 50-100 dollars. Being really frugal, you cut the entire cost in half, at least, still using high end grow lights.
Grow tent – https://amzn.to/2OxZmIx (Can go a little smaller and save, like a 48″ x 36″ or 48″ x 24″, but I wouldn’t compromise on height).
5-gal DWC kit – https://amzn.to/2AuJDqD (You can save if you part this out yourself, looking at 5 gal bucket, net pot bucket lid, growing medium, ie coco coir or clay peppers, aquarium pump, tubing, air stone. Check your local grow store if you have one)
Grow lights – This varies quite a bit, but I recommend HLG series lights. Cost a little more up front but will save in the long run. Something like this, the HLG 100 would do well https://amzn.to/2LMwAGA
You could also do a combination like I have of 2 x 300 watt (120 actual) with 2 x 150 watt(65 actual). But I am really just using lights I already had, not the most ideal. Eventually, I plan to move to the HLG lights or build my own. http://ledgardener.com has a lot of good info on that.
See my video below showing a comparison between the AeroGarden Bounty and a DIY solution I am running in my basement.
Video
