How to Set Feeding Times in Aeroponics

Set the timer so that the initial cycle consists of a 10-second period of misting followed by 10 minutes where the pump is off. This is a good basic setting and will be sufficient to allow many plants to grow without further adjustments.

Check the roots of the plants as the plants begin to grow. Immediately after misting, if you lift the plant you will see water running off the roots. A lot of runoff indicates that you can reduce the amount of misting, since the plants are not able to utilize all of the liquid at any one time. Some runoff is normal.

Decrease the frequency of the misting cycle. Continue to mist for 10 seconds at a time, but allow a longer period in between misting. Try waiting 15 or 20 minutes in between each 10-second burst of mist. This is still adequate for most plants and helps to reduce costs such as electricity and wear and tear on the pump.

Watch your plants carefully. Since most aeroponic systems are indoor systems, it is generally easy to monitor the plants on a regular basis. If you see any signs of wilting, reduce the time in between misting by 5 minutes. The plants should perk up very quickly.

Change the timing to reflect the changing needs of your plants. Large plants and plants that have set fruit, such as tomatoes, need more frequent feedings than do those that do not have any fruit and are not going to grow very large.

Monitor the fruit, vegetables and foliage to make sure everything is growing well. Continue to watch for wilting, but also check for undersized fruit or plants that look thirsty. The best way to respond to such situations is to increase the frequency of the misting periods.