Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Quachy,
there the standard seed from bunnings store 'Grower's Pride' brand Royal Dome.

Alright guys, I have more bug issues,
I think the first bug is white fly and they seem to love tomatoes.
any suggestions ?? as to if it is actually white fly?? and how to get rid of it.

2nd bug seem to be a small spider but 1000's of them. they cover the plant with a web of some sort and seem to suffocate the plant?? I've tried the bicarb soda with a little white oil but this didn't even have any effect.

Regards
matt

holy moly, those spiders (maybe mites?) are going crazy! I don't know about an immediate solution, but a long term one could be to plant some sunflowers. Lady beetles love them and they will eat pretty much any of those bugs short term?

Remove nearly all leaves off the plant, then spray the remainder of the plant with spray cooking oil. Cover the plant with some shade cloth or similar (or it will burn severely with the oil). Wash the plant off with a decent spray of water, trying to wash the oil out of the growbed rather than into it. Small amounts of oil wont hurt much.

WOW! I've never seen such a severe infestation of spider mites! Usual treatment is spray with insecticidal soap, but not possible with fish. High-pressure spray of water also helps. There are predator mites that will (eventually) build up a controlling population, but you need something sooner. Frankly, it looks too far gone to me: I would pull all the severely affected stuff, spray the rest with water, and release a lot of ladybugs. Maybe just clear all plants out and give the mites a week to die, then replant.

DDT ?

Flamethrower.... seriously... pull the plants and burn them...

+1

Thanks for the advise guys,
I'll rip them out tomorrow,
these plants are not in my AP system yet but are in the same green house,
I'm just trying to get in early in regards to treating them on the AP system.

what about the white flies??


regards

Matt

Here is a bit of an up date. Around week 14

every thing is looking real good
strawberries still lacking something??? plenty of flowers but still no strawberries??
been harvesting excellent broccoli and silver beat, beetroot a bit slow but look a lot better than the dig garden.
harvested the 3 lettuces over 4 - 5 weeks as i needed. Im surprised how fas it grows.


regards

matt

Great stuff! Love the toms!

What's your current pH Matt??... if you're around 6.2-6.6... then grab a tub of EcoRose (Potassium BiCarbonate)... and give the system a spoonful.... the potassium does wonders to fruiting... and the "bicarb" will buffer your pH at the same time...

Or try a dose of Seasol or Maxicrop...

yeah Rupe,
my PH has been hovered around the 6.2 - 6.4 for around 3 weeks. just the last week has slowly rised to 7.0 Why don't they do as well at that low Ph??
my ph has steadily rised since i stopped adding Humonnia about 2 weeks ago. My nitrates has slowly decreased as well (I only have 9 goldies and 3 yabbies in the fish tank).
might have to pee in it again if my Nitrates get close to 0.

what's your thoughts?

regards
matt

The TOMS photo should be in the Photo Contest... Just gorgeous.

Sounds like there's not quite enough nitrification for the plant load...

So you might have to generate a bit more ammonia ... either more fish/feed ... or a periodic "dosing"...