We are launching the Elfsys Growing Cloud smartphone app on iOS and Android in the coming weeks. I think it’s time for me to share a basic, yet productive setup for beginners to start indoor growing with Elfsys.
Microgreens are young sprouts of any edible vegetables like radish, leafy greens, sunflower, beans, herbs, and etc. They are ready to harvest within 2 to 4 weeks and can keep a shelf life of over a month being kept alive at room temperature. They are the most nutritious food that is packed with flavors. However, they are too delicate to be handled by the traditional supply chain. They will lose freshness within two hours after harvest without excessive packaging. It cost $2.5 ~ $4.0/oz at NYC supplied from local modern plant factory AeroFarms in Newark, NJ.
Despite their premium quality and price, microgreens are the easiest thing to grow indoor. With the following kit which cost about $200 and the Elfsys Growing Cloud smartphone app, you will be able to enjoy the freshest microgreens in two weeks. Here is a list of items I found on Amazon that I will be using the same or similar products. All links below are referral links I generated with Amazon to test the tracking. I may make 1~3% of the commission just full disclosure. You will make your money back, don’t worry.
iHome Flow Smart Power Strip with 6 individual controls and surge protection (currently on sale at $34.99 and tested. Elfsys supports all Tuya and Smart Life App-supported Wi-Fi power strips. This product is the best deal at the moment. You can use your existing Wi-Fi power strips if they are using Tuya’s chipset. Generally, the more Wi-Fi-controlled sockets, the better. This one has 6 lanes which will support 6 devices controlled by Elfsys for a more scaled and customizable indoor growing setup.)
SHEINSHEING BPA Free Germination Tray 5PK (consider buying two sets for a scaled production, no need to buy those options with the transparent cover since that has proven to cause many mold issues due to poor air circulation. Save money with this option. My wife used a piece of paper towel to cover the top for the black-out period with two long-tail binder clips. It worked like magic with amazing air circulation which also blocks light to encourage long-reaching growth for the microgreens. These trays also stacks, which can use the stacking method for compact growth.)
Pack of 15 Jute Plant Grow Mat Hydroponic Grow Pad (optional, highly recommended, however, it does add almost $1 to the cost per tray. Consider using alternative organic food-safe paper if available. I have concerns to use paper towels as rooting media because it’s unclear what has been added to the paper. This organic material is a perfect medium for tiny seeds to attach themself for less rotting issues from dead elevated seedlings. Maintains great moisture on the surface for seeds without need of a cover for good air circulation during the black out stage. The size is also ideal that can fold in half, and cut into two pieces that fits a tray pretty well.)
SZHLUX 2FT 40W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light X 2 (or any grow light you like; the 2 feet option comes with two lights in a set, is able to grow 2 batches of 2 trays together while you can rotate additional 4 trays during the blackout period for a continuous supply of microgreens)
Nature Jim’s Sprouts Salad Sprout Mix Organic Seeds 1lb (this is just a beginner pack for a mixed variety of microgreens. Go buy any microgreen seeds you like. Don’t buy anything under 1lb. I prefer to grow a single type of microgreen per tray. But doing mixed is a good start.)
New Star Foodservice 10OZ Spice Shaker (Optional, or any spice shaker, needs variable sizes outlets for different sized seeds. I highly recommend you dig through your spice cabinet before you buy one. Spread seeds evenly is a huge key to success)
General Hydroponics Flora Series Bundle 1 quart size (Optional, but highly recommended to add some nutrients to your microgreens. This 3 part formula is being used in all my experiments, so buying the same one should give a consistent result. The 32oz size will last you for a while since microgreens only need very few nutrients for boosted growth and extended “shelf life”. However since you are going down this indoor growing rabbit hole with us, then why don’t you get this great value pack that can be used in all your setups. Once you finished these bottles, you are likely to be ready to refill them with the gallon pack.)
I will post a growing tutorial in the coming week. Buy this entire kit first, it will cost $180 plus tax. Feel free to swap any of the above if you know what you are doing. We will have a survey link posted next week for you to submit a beta test access request to the Elfsys Growing Cloud. It will be both available in App Store Test Flight for iOS and Google Playstore for Android.
I will slowly update this same post. Save it if you want to see the video tutorial. Forgive me if the post is not styled perfectly. I have not used WordPress for the past 10 years, still trying to get familiar with it again.