litokam Smart Hydroponics Growing System Kit with APP&WiFi Controlled, 15-Pod Indoor Herb Garden Planter with 2 Grow Modes, 24W Growing LED, Pump System, 24H Timer, Indoor Garden for Home

Years ago I had an Aerogarden that I really enjoyed. Temporarily loaned it to a friend to try out...she must have liked it since she moved away and never returned it. This Litokam 12-Pod Hydroponics Growing System Kit is very similar to what I had. I like the 12 pod size, but truthfully, the spaces are so close together that I only plant in 8 or 9 of them. Assembly (if you can call it that) is simple - you'll have it up and running in under 10 minutes.The water level window is up front so I can easily monitor the water level anytime I'm looking at it. The pump does make noise, but it's a soft noise, not a bothersome noise. I have mine sitting on the breakfast table. Once the herbs start growing it will be a functional and beautiful table decoration. The light bar is adjustable but only rises 12.25 inches from the plant base which determines what can successfully be grown given the plant's height.I sowed basil, cilantro, mint, oregano, and thyme 6 days ago. All but the thyme (which is slower to germinate) have sprouted enough to remove the clear plastic dome. So far so good!My prior Hydroponics experience taught me that as soon as I'm done with a particular herb/plant I should remove it immediately. Letting them stay too long makes cleaning the water tank and removing roots from around the pump much more difficult.All in all this is a great way to have fresh herbs readily available. Of course flowers and certain vegetables can be grown this way too. I find Hydroponics works best for herbs. I've tried cherry tomatoes and lettuce in the past but felt it was not as successful. And to be honest, I find cilantro tastes stronger/better when grown in soil versus grown in water. Some plants develop more flavor in soil despite fertilizing them hydroponically.This is a good way for kids to learn about plants and gardening. It would also be an appreciated gift for someone who loves to cook with herbs.

The litokam 12-Pod Hydroponics Growing System Kit is very sturdy. It was a breeze to put together and the instructions for planting were easy to follow. I decided to do herbs in mine and was very pleased with the germination rates. I was even able to germinate mint seeds, which always are hit and miss for me. The pump is very quiet.The light is very bright, so at night everyone in the house has to close their bedroom doors or it will reflect into our bedrooms all the way down the hall from the kitchen, where the unit is. While my kids might not enjoy the brightness, the herbs I planted are loving it. They are growing full rather than leggy, the way some of my seedlings have done in the past under traditional grow lights. I am including a picture I took the day I set the unit up and another one 14 days later, so you can see how much my herbs have grown in two weeks

My wife is a huge fan of indoor hydroponic growing (she has six Aerogardens!) and she could not pass up adding this litokam 12-Pod Hydroponics Growing System to her collection. She had previously tried a different manufacturer's version of these systems and was not particularly impressed, so I was curious what she would think of this litokam unit.Her first impression is that it is very good. The unit feels reasonably substantial (not as flimsy as her other "alternate" attempt) and has a feature she really likes and that her Aerogardens don't have: the top lighting unit easily removes. This makes cleaning and servicing these units so much easier. The top lighting unit also extends higher than her current units and there are more planting ports than on any of her other set ups. This unit is designed for using your own seeds, which is also nice.She has it in place and will soon plant into it. We'll see how it goes from here!

The hydroponics growing system is really nice and was super easy to setup. I like how quiet it is and the size is good and not too big and it fits on my kitchen counter. I got the 12 pod system and have done some greens on my first run. I got dandelion, arugula, butter crunch, and romaine in mine and have little seedlings in only a couple days so the growth rate is quicker. I really am enjoying growing these indoors and love how easy it is and there is such a varity of plants to grow in it. I plan to do some herbs next and maybe some Bok choy. My grandkids are really thrilled about this and have not been back to see the seedlings yet and can't wait. I would highly recommend I absolutely love it and it fuctions really well. Thank you!

This is a great introductory kit for people who want to pursue hydroponics. It comes with everything but the seeds and has a fairly complete instruction pamphlet for set up. The set up includes the pump in the water which circulates oxygen and is critical as well as the light, the sponges, the nutrients and germination covers.This is a great set up to have fresh herbs at your table to use in preparation and serving of meals. The maximum height of the lamp is about a foot, so no, you can't grow sunflowers unless you're using this maching to germinate seeds to create seedlings to plant outside.Personally, I am thrilled to have the means to grow herbs at my table, given I rarely buy fresh herbs at the store because I'm afraid I'll forget them and they are so expensive where I live. Dried herbs are just not the same. Nothing is better than margherita pizza with fresh basil or boiled new potatoes with fresh dill weed.Personally, I'd suggest accessing some other material on hydroponics in setting this kit up, but it's not necessary. You'll want to buy more sponges to start plants with, since they cannot be reused. This is especially a wonderful set up for children who feel much more of a connection to food in growing it themselves.