solargrow 3 Any excess drains through the pebbles back into the reservoir 2 Water & nutrients pumped from the reservoir to feed the plants Instructions 1 Solar panel triggers the pump If you require any further assistance with your Greenhouse Sensation Hydrogrow please feel free to contact us by: Telephone: 0845 602 3774 Fax: 0845 602 3775 FREEPOST greenhouse sensation info@greenhousesensation.co.uk www.greenhousesensation.co.uk V19-150211 www.greenhousesensation.co.uk Phone: 0845 602 3774 solargrow
solargrow Thank you for choosing a Greenhouse Sensation Solargrow. solargrow Spare Parts Order Code GS310 GS311 GS312 GS313 Part Reservoir Planter Solar panel Delivery system, ribbed tube and emptying tube At Greenhouse Sensation we are committed to making it really easy for everyone to grow fabulous plants anywhere. Our Solargrow makes it easy to raise stronger, healthier plants that produce more flowers or fruit more quickly because your plants are provided with the right amount of everything they need, when they need it.. This booklet is designed to give you all the information and guidance you will need to set-up your Solargrow and raise great plants. If we ve missed anything though do let us know. And of course do call or email us if you have any questions at all that s what our plantsmen are here for! If things are going really well please send us your photos and we will put them on our website and send you a voucher to say thank you. Good luck with your growing season. Nutrients & Medium Order Code GS314 GS316 GS001 GS002 Part Clay Pebbles 6L bag Capillary Cubes Acid Test Kit ph Down 125ml 3ml Pipette Measuring Beaker Nutrient A & B x 2 Acid Test Kit ph Down 125ml 3ml Pipette Measuring Beaker Part GS003 GS004 GS005 GS006 Nutrient A & B x 2 Acid Test Kit ph Down 125ml 3ml Pipette 1
Testing and adjusting ph The ph of the nutrient and water mix should be between 6.2 and 7.2. To check the ph of the water and nutrient solution in the Solargrow reservoir use the Greenhouse Sensation ph test kit supplied. 1. Take a 2ml sample of the solution in the small test tube supplied. 2. Add 2 drops of reagent to the test tube. 3. Shake the test tube gently and compare the colour with the test card to determine the ph. 4. You need a ph between 6.2 and 7.2. If the test is green the ph is fine. If the test shows blue with no trace of green or yellow. 1. Adjust down by adding 1ml of the ph down using the pipette provided. Mix your ph down with a little warm water first. This helps it combine with the Solargrow nutrient solution. 2. Leave for 1 hour then retest the ph. Repeat this ph test every two days for a week and then once per week End of the season Storing your solar panel At the end of the season store your solar panel in a cool, dry place with some light. Important: Do not place it in a box. Storing your pump Clean the pump (see page 9) Disconnect your pump from the solar panel and store the pump submerged in clean soft water or rainwater, or in a dry and frost free place. For further advice contact us on: 0845 602 3774 Component page Reservoir Holiday Watering kit hole Overflow min and max level indicator ledges A + B nutrient and beaker ph down, ph Test Kit and Pipette Solar Panel Indicator light Capillary Cubes & Clay Pebbles Planter Access flap Delivery System Extension tube Emptying tube Ribbed tube Pump 9 2
Solargrow If you are using a Holiday Watering Kit please use those instructions first. Your Solargrow harnesses the Sun s energy to power a pump which provides your plants with regular feeding and watering. Positioning Your Solar Panel 1. For quick cropping plants and fast growing plants (e.g. tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers) position solar panel to face between South East and South West 2. For slow growing plants (e.g. palms, ginger, bananas) position solar panel to face between North West and North East E A NE SE N NW Weak sourc urce of power ourc rce High source of power S SW er W Reservoir changes Perform this Reservoir Change every 4 weeks to flush our impurities and rebalance the nutrients. 1. Place a watering can or bowl next to your Solargrow. Reach for the emptying tube inside the reservoir and remove the kink lock Fit the small extension tube onto the emptying tube and lead it into your watering can or bowl. OR Fit a standard half inch garden hose to the end of the emptying tube, ensuring that the garden hose is not higher than the reservoir at any point. Run the pump by pushing the red button on the solar panel twice so that it is on. Repeat if reservoir does not empty on first pump run. You do not need to drain the reservoir dry. When you have finished, remove the short extension tube, re-kink the emptying tube, refit the kink lock and place the emptying tube back inside the reservoir. Refill the reservoir using the Empty Reservoir Nutrient Dose instructions (see page 8). Understanding the Indicator Light This light indicates whether the solar panel is charged and whether the pump is currently running. 1. Light On steady for 1-2 minutes the pump is running. 2. Flashes once every ten seconds fully charged and water and nutrients will be pumped to your plants roots for 2 4 minutes in every hour. 2. Test the ph in the reservoir and adjust it if necessary (see page 10). The used nutrient solution can be used on your garden plants. Cleaning your pump We recommend that you clean your pump after each reservoir change. This is especially important in hardwater areas. 1. Use the pipette to measure approximately 5ml of ph down for softwater areas or 10ml for hardwater areas. 3. Double flash every ten seconds charge is low and water and nutrient will be pumped to your plant roots at a reduced rate until the battery has received enough light to recharge it. 4. No flash - battery is too low to run the pump (see charging you solar panel Page 4). 2. Add to 1 litre of water in a plastic container or bucket. 3. Put the pump in this solution and run for about 2 minutes by pressing the red button on the solar panel. Store diluted ph down in an old bottle for future use but label it clearly. 3 8
Preparing nutrients for use Containers A and B already contain nutrient powders. To use them in the Solargrow add lukewarm water to each container up to the level shown on the label. Shake thoroughly to ensure the powders are fully dissolved before use. Adding nutrient 1. Add 70ml of nutrient A and 70ml of nutrient B to 16L of water in reservoir. 2. Test the ph (see page 10) Topping Up 3. fill your Solargrow reservoir to the top triangular ledge as often as necessary. Never allow the water and nutrient mix to fall below the bottom triangular ledge. Top-up using 7ml of nutrient A and 7ml of nutrient B mixed with 1 litre of water. Ensure that you leave the solar panel switched on. Charging your Solar Panel When you first use your Solar Panel each season or when your battery has run low, you will need to charge it up. 1. Make sure it is turned off. If it is on press the button on the back panel to turn off. Place it in a sunny position for a day. May charge faster outdoors. 2. The next day, select on. 3. The on indicator should show for two minutes. 4. If the light gives a double flash every 10 seconds, turn off and continue to charge. If you find that the solar panel is not charging you may need to move your panel to a sunnier position or to face a more Southerly direction. Check that the sun is not obscured by buildings or trees. In very poor weather with little light your solar panel will not recharge so quickly after each feed but your plants will also need less feeding so this is nothing to worry about. If you are not using the Holiday Watering kit system it is a good idea to dedicate a watering can to your Solargrow to avoid wasting the nutrient solution that you do not use when topping up. Nutrient dose summary Warning Your solar panel uses the latest technology to protect against moisture contamination but it must not be submerged in water. User tamper invalidates our guarantee. For empty Reservoir For Topping up your Reservoir 70ml of A and 70ml of B in 16 litres of water 7ml of A and 7ml of B per 1 litre of water (70ml of A and 70ml of B diluted in a 10 litre watering can) For Holiday Watering Kit 7ml of A and 7ml of B per 1 litre of water 7 4
Assembly instructions If you are using a Holiday Watering Kit please use those instructions first. 1. Push the pointed end of the grey delivery tube through the centre hole in the bottom of the planter. 2. Connect the delivery tube T onto the pump 3. Push the free end of the ribbed tube onto the grey delivery tube, below the planter 4. Place the pump on the base of the reservoir and rest the emptying tube inside the reservoir at end with the level indicators. 5. Place the planter on top of the reservoir. 6. Decide where to place your solar panel. (Please see page 3 for advice). 7. Fill the reservoir to the top triangular ledge inside the reservoir. This will take 16 litres. 8. Connect the pump to the solar panel. Screw the plastic connection collar onto the solar panel. 9. Turn the solar panel on by pressing the red button. The red light will come on for 2 minutes and the water will flow through the Solargrow. Planting out 1. Pour approximately half of the capillary cubes into the planter. Level them out and use a watering can to thoroughly wet them. Any excess water will just flow into the reservoir. 2. Carefully remove your plant from its pot and place on top of the capillary cubes. If necessary add more capillary cubes to raise the plant so the top of the compost is just below the top of the planter. 3. Add the rest of your plants. 4. Fill the planter with clay pebbles. 5. Start the pump by pressing the red button on the solar panel and ease the delivery tube up so that you can just see the water coming up from the delivery tube. 5 6