Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

All pirates have big mussels as far as Im aware Ron..


Anyhoo, due to a overwhelming strike attack from a billion aphids that got out of my control - I decided to cut back my capsicum and chilli plants before they spread to my new brocc seedlings. Unfortunately most of the cappa's didnt get time to change colour but we got a few red ones in the past few weeks that taste smashing.


The harvest..















On another note, Ive noticed some differences in growth on the Kale between the DWC and the GB. All planted at the same time and around the same size seedlings. Here we are a few weeks on and the GB is powering in growth but the DWC has a more greener healthier plant. Just thought Id share..

Interesting difference in the Kale , maybe more micronutrients in the growbeds

It is a worm factory in there. Interesting indeed. Ill post progress as we go.

With lower light levels you'd get slower growth and more chlorophyll production making the plants smaller and greener (If the levels are to low then you get leggy plants). I'm not saying other factors aren't involved just that it looks like lighting has a lot to do with it.

Nice haul of peppers Charlie

Cheers

And they taste good, too?

What is their breeding cycle, then?

Light did cross my mind but if anything the Kale in the GB gets less light than the DWC kale

Nutrients that might be less water soluble storing in the GB?

Time for scientist charlie to answer the question for us before the end of the week would be good

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Isn't that what he is saying? If light is low you get short green plants. If its super low, hey become long and straggly....that's how I read it.

Yep, thats what he's saying. But - the Kale in the GB is bigger, lighter in colour and grown more.

Awesome job Charlie! Woooooot!

Charlie, I was just checking out your pic of your recent harvest and I noticed two things that I missed when I looked at it before:

1. You have managed to surreptitiously slip your much maligned toes into the frame, again; and

2. There are some mandarin segments alongside your chillies and capsicums. Did you grow these aquaponically? I am especially interested because there is a mandarin trying to grow in a half drum GB down at the Puddle and it is struggling. Pointers are keenly sought.

Thanks Ryan, learnt from the best mate

PJ - I love your keen eye and thank you for asking.

1. Thought Id slip in a sly one and see who would notice... I like being laughed at.
2. Wow, very keen eye, Im impressed. My son was chowing down on some home grown mandarin at that time and made his own contribution to the images. I will go on to say that this is grown in our conventional garden and not aquaponically sorry. That having said, we are having some issues with our tree as well so Im not too much help. We had a bumper crop last year and this year the tree branches are falling over and the fruit is falling from the tree prematurely. There are no signs of deficiencies but I am a little worried. Was thinking of posting up some images of said tree over at BYF site for help.

What material are you using to brace your rafts? It's a real quality build your have there Charlie and plants look very healthy.

Appreciate your comments Mac

I found the core flute to be a little flimsy so I re-enforced it with some alloy flat bar. 6 lengths per sheets. 3 on top, 3 underneath bolted together with stainless bolts to 'sandwich' and hold in place. The alloy doesn't touch the water so hopefully it doesn't break down or introduce any toxins. The sheet with the butterloaf lettuce is actually getting remarkably heavy. Im going to weight it at harvest time.

Re the mandarins, thanks Charlie. Sorry to hear your tree is in a downward spiral but at least it provided you with a bumper crop last year.