Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wintermute]

Hey all - just a heads-up...

I saw an Aerogarden for sale on here a while back, and while checking them out, found a locally made model could be bought for about 1/3 of the price of one from the Aerogarden website.

Here is the Aerogarden website:
http://www.aerogrow.com/

The white 7-plant model sells for $169.95

The exact same model is available from Korean shopping sites for around 54,000won.

I got one of the Korean ones. The manual and button labels are in Korean, so I assume it is made here. I don't know why there is such a huge price discrepancy, but at it's heart it is a relatively simple device, so I think the US price includes quite a margin. Perhaps people are not willing to pay so much here, or perhaps discontinued stock is being sold at clearance prices, I don't know.

I bought mine from interpark, but it no longer appears on there.

Here is a gmarket link: http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_goods/goods.asp?goodscode=204470432&pos_shop_cd=EN&pos_class_cd=90000001&pos_class_kind=T&keyword_order=aerogarden

Other shopping sites may stock it as well.

It seems that only the white 7 plant model is available here, and you don't have a choice of seeds - tomato only.

It can be hard to tell from the ads on the korean sites what model it is, and the salespeople didn't know, when I called to inquire. Nevertheless, I know personally of two aerogardens ordered from these sites for mid-50K prices, and both were the white, 7 plant type. It's a good deal!

A bit about the aerogardens themselves: They are basically a hydroponics-for-dummies kit. The plant roots sit in a nutrient-containing water reservoir. There are two fluorescent bulbs in a reflector hood. The bulbs are included, but have a special adaptor so replacements will need to be purchased from the aerogarden website. The kit comes with enough nutrient sachets for your first grow or two .

They are very low maintenance. You just need to check the reservoir occasionally, and change the water and add more nutrients weekly.

Because they are self-lit, they can be quite eyecatching, espeicially if you are growing flowers, and they can brighten up a dark area. They would be nice in an office or classroom too, and makes a good gift, although i would sprout the seeds myself first. Germination can be a bit hit and miss. (easier to sprout in soil, wash dirt of roots then place into the aerogarden)

Not everything grows successfully, but a lot of things do - tomatoes, herbs, flowers, strawberries, chilli plants, lettuce etc

You can use your own seeds easily. The seeds/seedlings are supported by sponges. these are not reused, but can be improvised easily or replaced cheaply.

One of these, plus accessories, sold for 125,000won on this site a year ago, so i thought I'd just put the word out that there are much better deals out there.

Check it out and let us know how you go!

[Triban]

I kind of want this.

[jdog2050]

[MollyBloom]

I found a website that gives links to other websites that sell it:

http://enuri.com/view/Detailmulti.jsp?modelno=1428445&kbno=

I'm buying this ASAP. I don't know what is going on with my plants this year, but I've been having a lot of problems. My pitcher plant, basil, and lavender all died, and some seeds I was trying to germinate didn't sprout. In the 5 years I have been here, I've never had any problem. What's most frustrating is that the apt I'm in now gets great light. I figured out some dirt I was using at first was bad (smelled like ammonia), but after switching it and trying to regrow them, it's still not better. Maybe it's Seoul's southwest air!

Anyways, OP, still having good luck with your Aerogarden?

[isisaredead]

this is so awesome.

[GoldMember]

Maybe this is a perfect product for the English teacher who wants to grow some wacky tobacky. A much better alternative to sending yourself some via the post.

[sadguy]

i bought one of these for my parents for christmas for 100 dollars. they love it. i want one for myself. but i'm too cheap.

[ajosshi]

[matthews_world]

I imagine they provide you the sprouts.

Be careful, though. Moisture under and in-between the leaves and stems of houseplants are a great source of stagnant water where mosquitoes can lay their eggs.