greenhouse sensation Vivigrow Quick guide

Assembly & Maintenance
Instructions
Contents Vivigrow
Reservoir 1
Growing Tray 1
Top-Plate 1
Pump 1
Delivery Tube 1
pH Test Kit 1
Emptying Tube 1
7.6mm Spreader Mat 1
Heater 50w optional
Nutrients Container A 1
Nutrients Container B 1
Measuring Beaker 1
3ml Pipette 1
21mm Black Grommet –

Assembly instructions for Vivigrow
1. Part ll the reservoir with water to help stabilise the tank
before assembly and to ensure it is on a level surface.
2. Place the tray into position with the access ap 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
3. 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.
If you have the Vivigrow 5 then you can insert the 21mm
black grommet into the holiday watering kit hole.
If you have purchased a holiday watering kit then you do
not need to use the grommet. Instead refer to the holiday
watering kit instructions.
1
2
3
4
5

9. Attach the suckers to the heater and secure in a hori-
zontal position on the base of the reservoir. THE HEATER
MUST BE SUBMERGED AT ALL TIMES. See heater
instructions.
7. Remove cut outs and place top plate in position. The
5 plant option includes adhesive pads. Peel off the backing
on the adhesive pads and t to the edge of the tray.
8. If using the heater, set it to the required temperature
(65°F to 75°F/18°C to 22°C).
10. Leave the heater in the tank for 2 hours prior to planting
out to allow the water to reach the correct temperature.
11. Remove your plant from its pot when it is showing
good, healthy roots. Place in the holes in the top plate onto
the growing tray – no need to wash soil off trst.
6. Add 3ml or 4ml of A + B nutrient to each litre of water
and mix together. Fill the reservoir to the maximum ll level
(the top triangular indent at the pump end of the reservoir).
Run the pump to wet the spreader mat.
Vivigrow 3 holds 20L
Vivigrow 5 holds 45L
Assembly instructions for Vivigrow
6
7
8
9
10
11

Are my plants ready to transplant?
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.

Making up your nutrient
Your two nutrient bottles contain nutrient powders which need to be mixed with water.
Add 2.5L 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.
Our gardening experts are available to help with any questions you may have.
Call: 0845 602 3774
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: greenhouse sensation

Nutrient dosage chart
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
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 rell the
reservoir to the maximum ll 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 strongly and are in good conditions of light and heat.
Reservoir changes
Empty and rell 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. Rell with clean water and
nutrient dose. Young plants use the start
dose. Adjust pH if necessary.
5. Switch on the pump and heater.
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.
Dosage Universal water Hardwater water
Standard
3ml of nutrient ‘A’
+ 3ml of nutrient ‘B’
with every 1 Litre of water
4ml of nutrient ‘A’
+ 4ml of nutrient ‘B’
with every 1 Litre of water
Maximum strength dose
6ml of nutrient ‘A’
+ 6ml of nutrient ‘B’
with every 1 Litre of water
7ml of nutrient ‘A’
+ 7ml of nutrient ‘B’
with every 1 Litre of water

Testing and adjusting the pH (acidity)
of the nutrients & water
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 soft water
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 ne.
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 rst 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.
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.
Hints and advice

Made in England
by Greenhouse Sensation
Thank you for supporting independent
British manufacturing
VG_INS_0418
Any Questions? Contact our Gardening Angels
We are here to help you get the best from your plants, so if you have any
questions about your Greenhouse Sensation product or the plants you
are growing, feel free to contact one of our Gardening Angels.
Call: 0845 602 3774
Email: [email protected]
‘Like’ Us For hints, tips and offers search
‘Greenhouse Sensation’ and click ‘Like’
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.