Stitz - I love tillandsia and I have a little one I bought years ago that has now spontaneously split into 3 plants. They hang around my mounted plants and catch all the moisture - I really want some spanish moss but can't find any here in Canada. Tommyr - these are really neat but always struck me as being too small and overpriced. What is your take on things? Terpguy - as I said: I like to tinker :) As for watering, to each his own! I really do not enjoy watering at all, and my plants suffer for it. I had automatic misters that I wasn't happy with so now I water daily by hand. It is enjoyable but I'm not organized enough to wake up on time to water and also make it to work at a decent hour. This is life. Let me clarify a little what this sort of setup would be like. An aeroponics setup wouldn't actually involve dunking. The plants are grown in baskets that are sunken into a mist reservoir. If the mist is set on a timer, then basically you would have mist pumping through every few hours through the roots. Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6o5LTl6GJw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brvJ2fGXusU (under 32 bucks) As for aesthetics, this is where the fun and creativity comes in...your reservoir could potentially be anything, from a rubber maid tub to a sleek transparent acrylic tank, to a beautiful lined mahogany cabinet. My orchidarium is an ugly thing, but it gets the job done...that said, there are absolutely gorgeous tanks out there. When I have the time and money, I too will get one. I would love a green house, but living in a townhouse with 0 garden makes that an impossibility - I make do with what I have :) Anyway, you're completely right in saying that the average windowsill grower will have no use for such a device. Personally I would never suggest actually marketing this in any way. It's the same reason why laminar flow hoods for seed flasking, or ready-built orchidariums are really not very popular at all in the orchid growing world; most people are content with windowsill growing, or can afford the luxury of a greenhouse. But for those of us who just 'have to' grow some plants, alternative innovations are inevitable (try growing draculas in a downtown apartment!) and sometimes when you're bitten by the bug, it's surprising how far a little stretching of the imagination to create the perfect environment can accomplish. This is, of course, the reason that despite the hassle, money and time spent, there is still a huge group of people who enjoy constructing orchidariums, cold-grow boxes, terrariums etc.

Kristopher, The mystery Citrandarin (possibly US 852) has about 20 fruit set on this season after an incredible bloom. Several of us are trying to graft and take cuttings from it this summer. My bud grafts (onto existing citrumelo) were not terribly successful. Maybe 50% stayed green, and of those, some may have been 'blind' buds which will not grow. I'm trying to force the green ones into growth right now. Looks like I may have several cuttings that are actually rooting. These are in a large plastic semi-clear storage container with about 3" of soil/perlite mix. The box sits outdoors in mostly shade. I'm also growing several Flying Dragons in pots from seed as potential rootstock for future budding attempts. Photo by Boca Joe. This post was edited by dave_in_nova on Fri, Jul 12, 13 at 15:39

Filter both nutrient as it returns to the reservoir and on the pump suction/inlet. Doesn't matter where the filter is on the pump, the filter pressure drop will restrict the flow. I use 2 layers of woman's stockings and don't plug my emitters. The only problem with filtering on the inlet/suction is that you may cavitate the pump from low npsh. If it's cavitating, you'll hear it. Cheap centrifugal pumps cavitate easily. How you treat the water depends strongly upon your water quality and, if you have doubts, get it tested. I am on municipal water whose only problems are slime mold, present in all piping systems more than 20 tears old, and chlorine. I treat the water with 1000 ppm of 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 48 hrs minimum and, voila, no problems. High pressure pumps and controls are expensive and really not necessary. Best plan is to reduce the pressure drop of the emitter and use conventional hydro pumps......way less expensive and maintenance intensive. I have done it both ways and there's no benefit in making fine mist as liquid works just as well. You must aerate the nutrient.

Constructing your own aeroponic system is considerably less expensive than retail, by more than 70% in savings. The main components necessary in the construction of your system are... * 45+ psi 12v diaphragm pump (Shurflo, Flojet or Fimco) * AC Adapter/Power Supply Cord(I use Dell Laptop AC adapter Output 12v 4.0A) * INTERVAL TIMER KIT - Velleman MK111, it's about $5 * Kid's colorful floor mat (the one with jig saw puzzle edges)used to cut out round plugs to insert in the net pots and hold your cuttings. * Fish tank air pump and long air stone * And of course 1/2 in. PVC tubing, Nozzles, Large Plastic Tub with lid. Have fun making your professional quality Aeroponic Cloner/Grower. Remember that by using aeroponics for growing vertically is no problem and makes excellent use of your available square footage. Daniel www.tropicalfruitandpalmtrees.com Here is a link that might be useful: Tropical Fruit and Palm Trees