Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I am considering trying some citrus trees in tubs linked to my nearly started system. Has anyone had success with citrus, specific rootstocks, timing recommendations etc? I imagine that citrus would do well as they are gross feeders and like water, but root rot is a concern. Although as has been pointed out elsewhere on this forum the O2 levels in moist gravel from F&D would minimise this or at least reduce it's impact.

What other fruit trees/vines are proven success...Grape? Passionfruit? Gooberberries? Cackleberries? (Just kiddin folks, although I recall a photo of an aquaponic chook recently...!)

F&F is growing a Lemon tree successfully

F&F and I both have citrus in tubs.

I have a dwarf Meyer lemon, a dwarf tahitian lime and a finger lime.
I used the two limes that grew last week and they were yummy! Of course I would prefer to have a bigger crop, but I am patient

I also have a sultana grape vine that seems to be doing very well.

All of them are in vertical half blue drums with gravel. They have loop siphons that fill for 20-30 minutes and drain a couple of times in each cycle.

I've also had rosellas growing in the medium grow bed. They have done really well and fruited well, until the rats found them and ate most of the crop I'm now removing them, one each couple of weeks.

I want to try a passionfruit as soon as I find a couple of bath tubs, I'd love to hear if anyone has tried one?

I think Aquamad had one growing? maybe PM him

Actually I'd like to visit him (in June) and see it for myself, I'll be in Port Douglas for a conference and willl have 2 days in Cairns.

Thanks, sounds good. I have three mature citrus (lemon, lime and orange) about 2.5 meters high. I was thinking of severely pruning them and then transplanting into tubs, but the thought of digging them up in one piece was too much. Easier to start with fresh stock.
I think I will use a stock tub (400 litres, about 1.4 Metres x 400 mm) to plant into and utilise the circumference for strawberries or something like that.
Paw paw would be another goer but would need a lot of protection here in cold Toowoomba in winter. I would really like to try mango, it will grow ok here but needs to reach 2 metres or more before it gets big enough to survive unaided. Lots of experimentation ahead!

KE, that wouldn't be a nursing conference would it? I have a bit of conference leave owing???

Ahhh, I see a thread on root rot, how timely!
http://backyardaquaponics.com/forum/vie ... 359#105359

Yeah it's a 2 day combined con for the ACMHN Consultation-Liaison Special interest group, and the North Queensland symposium. See you there?

I'm gunna see the big kahuna Tuesday!

On my citrus while its growing and fruiting its no where as good as the one in the dirt

Why do you think that is, F&F? A nutrient problem? Or is the tree too well-fed and not feeling like reproducing? I have heard that citrus sometimes need a big stress to get their act together.

Stress for lemon tree's is good........... I intentionally left mine to die (almost)....then watered it and put in a lil blood n bone and its flowerings its nuts off.........would like to see how it faired in an AP system

So it was a nut tree then? I have heard of driving a few rusty nails in the trunk to stimulate citrus as well.