Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

What types of plants do well in raft systems vs. other types media or flood and drain cycled or biofilm? Reason I ask is I think my area is too warm for most of the plant types that do well in raft systems.

Bill,

I don't think so. You should look at what they grow at University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Download this sustainable ag piece.

m

Baton , Apparently raft ( foam sheet) type systems often run some 5 degrees celsius lower ..... due to the insulation properties of the foam board.
And there are a LOT of suitable plants that LOVE heat ,, look at the basils , especially say Thai Basil , Royal Basil etc , they grow like weeds in Thailand with 32 Celsius + temps.

I was just curious as to what thrives vs what survives as in leaf lettuce thrives while head lettuce survives or dies. A person can only eat so much basil and parsley! I would'nt trade a F&D system for a raft system but may consider one as an addition.

I believe nearly all LEAF type vegies actually perform as good AND better in floating raft ( DWC) systems.
Temperature will determine plant selection , loose leaf lettuce seems to be better than heading lettuce in warm temps.
So a list but not limited to ,, would include ,, Lettuce parsely basil ( any of the many varieties) , Corriander , paak boung ( water convulvis) ,spinach , silverbeet ,mint,,, ahh the list is too long.
http://images.google.com.au/images?hl=e ... CBYQsAQwAA

Actually, most plants can do fine in floating rafts (except some root crops might be a challenge for net pots.) The reason most people focus mostly on the small greens and herbs is they do fine in small pots in small holes on the rafts and don't need additional structures to hold them up. I have seen tomatoes growing in rafts though, you just have to support them, same for cucumbers and other vines.

I have even grown root crops like turnips and radishes in DWC, I just had to support the plants with disks instead of net pots and harvest before the plant got too big to get out of the raft.

Plants like peppers and broccoli that might be just fine in gravel could grow in rafts but would probably need additional support as they would be likely to tip over in a raft.

As to growing greens in your climate. Late fall, winter and early spring there should be great time to be growing all sorts of leaf lettuces and other greens. Come warmer weather, purslane does well in my NFT so I suspect it would also do well in a raft. Over summer I also had an over abundance of basil, I found that it makes good worm food if you don't use it all.

I too am having some issues finding plants that thrive in AP during the hottest part of the year here. During the hottest part of summer there are only a few things that seem to be thriving in AP for me and that is when I need the most nutrients used up. Now during cooler weather I have tons of plants that I love to eat and thrive in AP but the nutrients are way down since the water has cooled off and fish are not eating much.