Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Healthy looking stuff there VB, the weeping sap might be insect damage perhaps..?

At the Caboolture markets, I got some egg toms (they said they were shaped like romas only smaller), will let you know when they fruit

Still can't get over that paw paw tree :headshakeindisbelief:

EB - Yep I figure something is stinging them. I get fruit fly pretty bad here, but I don't think it is them. Anyway - I'll leave the tree for another month or so to see if the fruit progres. If they don't it would be sensible to remove it (in which case I'll probably leave it cause I'm not very sensible ).

Great growth THere VB - I hope that paw paw doe fruit nicely as I want to scab some seeds off of you (I will swap seeds - let me know what you might be after )... plus I have that baby one in my system, and if yours does well then ours stands a good chance too

Was saying to somebody the other day that we should get a proper seed exchange going here. We could plan who was responsible for what so we don't all have to let everything go to seed. But then again there are some advantages to using your own seed becauce you know the plant did well in your own climatic conditions. I'll be chuffed if I end up gettign a ripe fruit out of the Paw Paw - I think it quite unlikely at this stage (must go and do that google search to see whn in year they are meant to fruit).

now then, this fruit fly hassle of yours - when it stings the fruit, does it the fruit still set fruit - is it a case that the larvae eat the flesh and leave the seeds, or do they eat the seeds too
THe seed swap and bank idea is good - I am buying in some seed from Eden sees in 2 weeks time... there are 5 of us ordering in together, that is why I ask if there are seeds you would like to trade for them paw paw seeds

Are you trying to do some kind of stress test on Murray's grow beds or something?

If I get any seeds then I will give you some AM - no need for anything in return. The fruit fly tend to ruin the fruit before it gets to a mature stage - depending on the fruit (toms and chillis will often ripen, but be riddled with maggots).



- nah, I think the 750kg of gravel is the main test for any grow bed and for my amateurish welding

BTW AM - the Paw Paw is a hybrid - so seeds may not be true to type anyway.

Dang... oh well, will still give it a go

damn VB,

things are really coming along nicely. that paw paw is ridicules. i have to wonder how much of the growbed it is taking up.

have you noticed any decline in the growth of the surrounding plants competing for root space?

No decline in growth of other plants at all - and many plants are quite close to the Paw Paw (though shading is starting to present some issues). One good thing about AP is that there is never any shortage of nutrients. May be a shortage of spave for roots, but never for nutrients (provided the nitrate levels are kept up of course - which is rarely a problem).

Funny thing is that I planted the seedling itno a 6 inch net pot full of perlite with the view of removing the plant within a week or 2 to put it in its own AP container (some 200 litre fingerling tanks I have). I never got around to setting up the container so the paw paw stayed there. I can only assume that it will have smashed the net pot to bits

Results of the first night of turning the pump off are in. Only lost 1 degree. Am happy with that because I expect to pick up 3 or so in the day, so hopefully over time I will get the temps up a bit again (until it turns totally brass monkeys here ).

good news that!
its really chillos here, so I can only imagine how much colder iyt is down your way *brrrr*

and the wind doesn't help. The bloody grow bed would be acting like a refrigeration system at night - not now though :-)