Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I know that you're supposed to have at least 300mm gravel etc in the grow beds for optimum bacteria growth, but what is the maximum depth you can have?

Alex wants to have fruit trees growing in barrels. Do we use halved (vertical) barrels or can we use whole barrels for each tree to increase the grow bed volume? Blue drums are 900mm high.

If we take the example of the towers being 2 metres tall, then I would say the restrictions would be on water required, which would be minimal in a blue barrel (flood & drain), volunteering Jaymie?

Only other problem would be spread of roots, doesn't the canopy spread out to the outer roots (or vice versa?)

Ell

I was thinking about the root spread, but isn't that more to do witn searching for water?

Jaymie, I don't know much about trees, so here is a question, I know some trees need alot of water, like willows, and some don't like much. What kind of trees will you be planting?

The plants i would think of in this situation would be dwarf stock that is grafted with multiple varieties of fruit. I think they are called fruit salad trees. they are for example oranges, madarins, lemons and limes all grafted to the same tree. I think dwarf versions of these would be ideal. Anyway just a thought.

sorry forgot what this thread was about. The hydro store near me grows relatively large sized trees in pots. I think the sign says that they have been growing there for eight years. They are from memory about 80cm high and 80 or 90cm square. I don't have any real information about the maximum depth that they could be, but I don't see why there would be an issue.

The plant canopy/root thing can partially be attributed to the shade the canopy provides which in turn makes an area that will stay cooler and subsequently hold moisture longer. As a sapling most development of roots is in the tap root. But as trees begin to develop canopy the roots follow.

The provision of constant water and nutrient will certainly slow the need for roots to spread wide, yet allow for canopy and ultimately fruit. But will the canopy spread?...

I reckon you'll be ok to a certain size with species that can deal with wet feet. Scale it up to 200 litres from trees in bags you've seen. How big are people getting these trees? Is the scaled up tree size decent enough for what he wants, or bonsai.

We're thinking of lots of mulberry trees. Alex also wants to try table grapes and passionfruit vines.

Only 1 way to find out ... Sounds like a great idea to me especially with dwarf grafted trees.

i was thinking of doing this too, so its good when someone else does all the reasearch

Yeah fruit salad trees are cool, i saw this minature (bonzai) fruit salad tree on a tv show once. It had bananas, apples, oranges,strawberries, etc. Just a pity it was on futurama and not a documentary or gardening australia

OOH I saw the same fruit salad tree... magnificent wasn't it!?!

Be interested in finding out more about trees & aquaponics... My biggest concern would be spending $40-$70 on a tree only to have it die cos I didn't know what I should expect.

mmmmm......

mulberries are easy, we'll strike cuttings from our dirt tree. The others will require money

That's great... those kinds of plants are so easy to propagate yourself.

I've been trying to find some mulberries here in the ACT, but haven't found any yet! It's really frustrating!

We used to have a little money, but our tree died......

Shin

did you save any seeds?