Assembly and Maintenance Instructions Any Questions? Contact us We are here to help you to get the best from your plants, so if you have any questions about your Greenhouse Sensation Vivigrow planter or the plants you are growing please feel free to contact one of our Gardening Angels on. Call: 0845 602 3774 Email: info@greenhousesensation.co.uk Like Us Hints, tips and special offers search Greenhouse Sensation Watch our advice videos on our website and Facebook Made in England Thank you for supporting independent British manufacturing VG_INS_0513
Welcome to the world of Greenhouse Sensation Advanced growing for bumper crops ViviGrow spare parts & replenishments Thank you for choosing a Greenhouse Sensation ViviGrow. You re well on your way to achieving 3x bigger harvests and much faster growth. Your planter uses the growing method known as nutrient film technique, a thin film of water and nutrients is continuously pumped to the plant roots. The constant access to water and nutrients with superb access to oxygen results in healthier plants that grow quickly and produce bigger yields. Link your ViviGrow to a holiday watering kit and your plants will be fed and watered for up to two weeks at a time, so you can go on holiday knowing your plants are in safe hands. Come and see our bananas The ViviGrow takes centre stage at our visitor greenhouse where our team of horticulturalists (we call them our Gardening Angels) develop new products and grow bananas, papaya, pineapple and ginger as well as tomatoes, chillies, herbs and salads. We re pretty proud of the fact that our visitor greenhouse holds the Guinness World Record for the world s longest tomato plant. The record breaking tomato plant is recorded at 20m (65ft) but it actually continued to grow to 28m (92ft). The greenhouse is open to visitors all year, so if you re in the area pop in to sample the fruits of our Gardening Angel team s labour and have a chat. Location: Towngate Works Dark Lane Mawdesley, Lancashire L40 2QU (turn left when you drive into Towngate Works) Got a question? Need some advice? Our Gardening Angels are on-hand to answer any questions Phone: 0845 602 3774 Email: info@greenhousesensation.co.uk Facebook: Greenhouse Sensation Like Us Hints, tips and special offers search Greenhouse Sensation Your ViviGrow was designed and made by us in Lancashire, where we also grow bananas! ViviGrow 5 plant contents gs201 Reservoir gs202 Tray gs203 Top-Plate gs901 Pump gs902 Delivery Tube gs905 ph Test Kit gs906 gs903 Emptying Tube gs904 7.6m Spreader Mat gs913 Heater 100w gs914 Nutrient Container A gs915 Nutrient Container B gs908 gs907 ViviGrow 3 plant contents gs101 Reservoir gs102 Tray gs103 Top-Plate gs901 Pump gs902 Delivery Tube gs905 ph Test Kit gs906 gs903 Emptying Tube gs904 7.6m Spreader Mat gs918 Heater 50w gs914 Nutrient Container A gs915 Nutrient Container B gs908 gs907 nutrient packs universal gs001 Nutrient A & B x 1 gs002 Nutrient A & B x 2 gs003 Nutrient A & B x 1 gs004 Nutrient A & B x 2 gs005 Nutrient A & B x 1 gs006 Nutrient A & B x 1 nutrient packs hardwater gs007 Nutrient A & B x 1 gs008 Nutrient A & B x 2 gs009 Nutrient A & B x 1 gs010 Nutrient A & B x 2 gs011 Nutrient A & B x 1 gs012 Nutrient A & B x 1 Support frames gs863 ViviGrow 3 gs850 ViviGrow5
SUPER CONCENTRATED SUPER CONCENTRATED FAQ for ViviGrow Component list for ViviGrow Q. Can I grow plants from seed in the ViviGrow? A. It is not recommended to do this. The Vivigrow is designed for growing plants from planting out stage to maturity. Reservoir Emptying tube Delivery tube Q. What plants can I grow in my ViviGrow? A. Any plant. Although best results are achieved with fast growing crop plants, such as tomatoes, chillies and cucumbers. Q. Where can I use ViviGrow? A. A greenhouse, polytunnel or conservatory is ideal but anywhere with plenty of light, air and heat (but not too hot) is fine. Q. Can I mix plant species in my ViviGrow? A. Yes. More vigorous plants should be placed higher in the planter, for example tomatoes should be nearer the delivery tube and peppers nearer the water outlet of the growing tray. Submersible pump ph test kit A & B Nutrient & Beaker Q. What should I do with water and nutrients emptied from the reservoir? A. Use it on pot plants, borders, hanging baskets or the vegetable patch. A B Q. How can I tell if my water supply is hard? A. You don t get much lather with hardwater and it furs up the kettle. If you are in any doubt use universal greenhouse sensation nutrients. ph Down Spreader mat Tray & Top plate Q. My water supply is really hard. Is it ok for the ViviGrow? A. Yes it s fine but we would recommend using hardwater nutrients. Q. How much topping-up is normal? A. It depends on how well your plants are growing. The more topping-up they need the better the growth. Our record is approx 12 litres per day for two Hero chilli plants in a 3-plant ViviGrow. Q. My plants have water droplets on the leaf each morning. Is it ok? A. Yes it is sign of good health. optional 100w Heater Q. How long can I expect the nutrient pack to last? A. The more nutrient solution the plant uses the healthier it is. You can expect nutrient packs for the ViviGrow to last a season.
Assembly instructions for ViviGrow Testing and adjusting the ph (acidity) of the nutrients & water Part fill the reservoir with water to help stabilise the tank before assembly and to ensure it is on a level surface. Place the tray into position with the access flap at the same end as the maximum level indicator (triangular ledge) inside the reservoir. The 5 plant option includes nuts and bolts for attaching the tray to the reservoir. Push the wide end of the delivery tube into the pump outlet, then remove the rubber cap from the side of the pump and attach the air tube onto the pump. Fix the pump to the inside base of the reservoir using the rubber suckers. Put the narrow end of the delivery tube through the hole in the tray and place the air-tube outside of the reservoir. The air-tube valve can be adjusted by turning the top clockwise to open, we recommend using it fully opened. Roll out two lengths of spreader mat to cover the base of the tray, overhanging the spreader mat slightly into the Reservoir. Don t worry about overlaps or gaps in the spreader mat. Fill the reservoir to the maximum fill level (the top triangular indent at the pump end of the reservoir). Run the pump to wet the spreader mat. The ph of the reservoir contents should be maintained at between 5.8 and 7.2. Repeat ph tests frequently in hard water areas and weekly or fortnightly in softwater areas. Use ph down if necessary. To check the ph using the ph kit supplied: 1. Take a 2ml sample from the reservoir in the phial provided. Remember to switch off the pump and heater before placing hands in the tank. 2. Add 2 drops of reagent to the phial. 3. Shake the phial gently and compare the colour with the test card to determine the ph. The desired ph is anywhere between 5.8 and 7.2 if the test is green the ph is fine. If the test shows blue (with no trace of green) it needs to be adjusted down. Use the ph down and the pipette provided. Add the ph down sparingly (try 1ml at first until experience tells you how much you will need). Allow the reservoir an hour to mix thoroughly then re-test the acidity. Remember it is better having to repeat the process than to overdose with the ph down. If the test shows yellow, add tap water. If the yellow colour persists, or in the case of accidental overdose of ph down, the solution should be changed as soon as possible. In a small number of areas or if using 100% rainwater for the water supply the test result may always be yellow. If this is the case contact Greenhouse Sensation for further advice. Hints and advice 1. Keep a diary noting your planting out dates and reservoir changes and recording all top-ups required. The more water and nutrient used the better the plants are growing. 2. A weak acid solution is ideal for cleaning pump of lime-scale. Using the pipette measure approximately 5ml of ph down for soft-water areas or 10ml of ph down for hard-water areas and add to 1 litre of water in a suitable plastic container. At reservoir changes run the pump in this container for 10mins. You can store this solution for future use in a suitable container. Always label the container. 3. The ideal time to clean the pump is when you are carrying out a reservoir change.
Nutrient dosage chart Assembly instructions for ViviGrow Add nutrients every time you add water. Use the following dosage rates 3 plant ViviGrow Reservoir holds 19 Litres of water mixed with nutrients 5 plant ViviGrow Reservoir holds 45 Litres of water mixed with nutrients Remove cut outs and place top plate in position. Dosage Universal water Hardwater water Standard Maximum strength dose 3ml of nutrient A + 3ml of nutrient B 6ml of nutrient A + 6ml of nutrient B 4ml of nutrient A + 4ml of nutrient B 7ml of nutrient A + 7ml of nutrient B In all cases use the same amount of A & B Top tip If plants aren t thriving or are struggling due to poor conditions, use 3ml of A and 3ml of B nutrient for every one litre of water until their health improves. The 5 plant option includes adhesive pads. Peel off the backing on the adhesive pads and fit to the edge of the tray. If using the heater, set it to the required temperature (65 F to 75 F/18 C to 22 C). After adding nutrient dose to the reservoir/tank allow time to mix thoroughly, then test ph and adjust if necessary. Top-up the reservoir as necessary, the number of top-ups required will depend on the plant s uptake of the solution, the more the plant uses the healthier it is. Always refill the reservoir to the maximum fill level (the top triangular ledge at the pump end of the reservoir). NEVER ALLOW THE SOLUTION TO FALL BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE PUMP. *Use standard top-up dose on every occasion except when your plants are growing very stron gly and are in good conditions of light and heat. Reservoir changes Empty and refill the reservoir every 3-4 weeks. 1. Switch-off pump and heater and remove delivery tube from the pump. 2. Fit the emptying tube onto the pump to drain the reservoir either to waste or collect in buckets for use elsewhere (this is perfect for hanging baskets). Fit an extension hose to the emptying tube if convenient. 3. You don t need to completely empty the reservoir, but gently inclining the reservoir towards the pump will help. 4. Place pump and delivery tube back into the ViviGrow. Refill with clean water and nutrient dose. Young plants use the start dose. Adjust ph if necessary. 5. Switch on the pump and heater. Attach the suckers to the heater and secure in a horizontal position on the base of the reservoir. THE HEATER MUST BE SUBMERGED AT ALL TIMES. See heater instructions. Leave the heater in the tank for 2 hours prior to planting out to allow the water to reach the correct temperature. ELECTRICAL SAFETY FIRST 1. Ensure that your electricity supply incorporates an RCCB protection devise, or alternatively use a socket mounted RCCB power breaker unit. 2. Ensure pump and heater if employed, are connected in accordance with manufacturers instructions. 3. Always switch off electricity supply before making contact with nutrient solution in reservoir.
Are my plants ready to transplant? Making up your nutrient Your two nutrient bottles contain nutrient powders which need to be mixed with water. Add of warm water to each bottle. Shake the bottles thoroughly to ensure the powder dissolves fully. A & B nutrients should always be used in equal measures and should be added to the water separately, add the required dose of A to your watering can or jug of water followed by the required dose of B nutrient. Start your plants in a pot or rockwool cube no larger than 7 or 8cm/3inches. Remember you should have abundant white roots on the outside of your soil or rockwool cube before transplanting. Always remove the plant pot or the rockwool s plastic cover prior to planting in your ViviGrow. Place the young plant through the pre-cut holes to rest on the tray. The first few days Signs of root growth into the tray should be seen within 48 hours. At this stage add Greenhouse Sensation nutrients at the start-up dose rate (see page 7 for dose rates). In the right conditions root growth is amazingly rapid. The picture opposite shows the roots of a tomato plant after just three weeks in a ViviGrow. A SUPER CONCENTRATED SUPER CONCENTRATED Our gardening experts are available to help with any questions you may have. Call: 0845 602 3774 Email: info@greenhousesensation.co.uk Facebook: greenhouse sensation B