Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hmm so I pulled out all the radish leaves to be consumed since I never intended them to get big in the first place. Left the lettuce in but growth has slowed/halted and they're looking/feeling limp.

Granted I have no fish in the system but is this a nutrient deficiency or is it just too warm for lettuce? It's been going up to 85 degrees F for the last few days. I also have tons of maxicrop in the water so would that be harmful in any way? I'm a green noob

Gotta develop a greenwater thumb! However, my thumb is still gray with my two month old sprouts. Nutrient problems normally show up as discoloration or burnt leaf edges. Limp is what happens to soil gardens that don't get enough water (or my sprouts when I added salt to the growbeds for micronutrients -next time: add to tank )

Hmm. So I guess I'll try fixing the water so that it floods higher. Thanks for the tip

I tried growing lettuce last year in autopots. It grew some but tasted bitter! Further reading I found out it was because lettuce likes cooler climates. It's normally in the 90's F here and I was growing them outside.

Bitterness in lettuce is a result of them not receiving the correct amount/type/ratio of required nutrients... and/or water...

Often occurs during hot weather/temps... the transpiration rate is increased, more water drawn... nutrients (in soil/hydro) effectively become (proportionally) diluted... plant suffers... stresses... responds by bolting/setting seed.... and becomes bitter...

A well run hydroponics operation can successfully grow lettuce all year round... albeit some varieties perform better than others...

Similarly... a well balanced AP system... and observation/correction of signs of deficiency will produce most lettuce all year...

Well it's been a while, but I've taken out all the lettuce and they've been consumed. My system is sitting empty right now and I've been pre-occupied with other things. I have planned to try growing some different crops that will take the heat better than lettuce. Any suggestions? I was thinking cherry tomatos but I don't know if that's feasible on my system. I do definitely want to grow some rosemary since it's 5 dollars for one little bottle of the stuff

Most people think Rosemary is a plant that doesn't like too much water... or getting it's roots wet...

So you'd think that it wouldn't grow too well in aquaponics.... but with flood and drain, and oxygenated water... it grows just fine...

Here's a pic from months ago... it's even better now...

Did you grow those from cuttings? I'd definitely love to have Rosemary and a few other herbs growing year round in my system. Does your hydroton stay moist after the drain and yet the Rosemary does well? You're right that everything I've read so far on Rosemary always warns against too much water, yet if it works for you...

Ah The wonders of Aquaponics Things that we were told you couldent do this try Aquaponics and it probably will work

The Rosemary is growing in an autosiphoned flood & drain "dutch pot".... with a continuous water supply...

The hydroton remains damp about 25mm (1") below the surface...

Grown from seedling brought from a retail nursery and transplanted... as of this morning, and numerous trimmings...


I also have thyme, oregano, celery, spring onions, lemon balm, basil and garlic chives... growing in the same pots...

That is a very very nice looking plant you have there. I will most definitely try Rosemary and Oregano. Now to find a nursery that has these

Well, bought my rosemary plant. Considered getting oregano but figure I'll kill the rosemary first then the oregano

Decided to clip a few of the rosemary branches and stick em in the hydroton and leave the rest in the dirt pot to keep alive for future experimentation. Also tried to get some cherry tomato plants but couldn't find any at the nursery. Guess I'll have to order them online.