Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

what's interesting is the dwarf sunflowers put out several flowers per plant. I don't think it makes seed though, but dwarf sunflower seeds would be cool!

If you guys don't know about it checkout johnnyseeds.com. They have some great seeds and an enormous variety. They are very helpful so if you email them with your needs they will make suggestions on what variety if best.

Still thinking about the cinder. I'm going to experiment with 2 identical seedlings. one is clay pellets, one in cinder. See if its the cinder thats the issue.

You guys don't think its the pH? I read chilis like pH of 4-6. I'm at 7.7.

could be the pH, now is 4-6 pH rated for soil or hydro? they do have a little different needs between the both. i think soil is usual 1 full pH higher the Hydro, but that for toms thow

do have another system, like a 10 gallon fish tank system that you mess around a little with the pH, use like plant safe pH buffers made for a planted aquariums, the buffer (rather then a pH down) with keep your pH stedy for acouple of weeks. better then trying to stay on top of the pH every day and night...

-df

You could try getting the chilli seeds to germinate in a dark space, on a plate with tissue and water...

The last lot of chilli seeds I let rip in the system, I didn't think would come up but they did, and in bunches....due to dumping a heap of seed in one place testing if they would work....now I have to thin them out

The other aspect I have found with chilli's is they are slow to germinate, slow to get going and growing, but once they have a good root system, they will produce in a large Kg amount..

I am not too sure what these chilli's real name is....but I could put a bet on Chilli Dude having a good idea ...I bought the seed from the Diggers Club in a mixed Hell Fire Seed packet....some struck some didn't
All the best in anouther growing season

nice round chilis.

what about taking a cutting from chilis, will they root?

you could always try...no harm in having a go...

Haven't updated in a while. some progress and things learned.

1. DWC beds need to be cleaned and overhauled every so often. I didn't paint the foam so it absorbs water and then grows mold, algae and green goo on it. Seems to create rot in the plants. I guess you have to wash the boards and clean things out between crops. Will be replacing foam soon with newly painted ones. I bought some elastomeric paint to try.

2. Rotate out plants: I have some green onions in the DWC bed for a long time. I just cut and let it regrow. What I didn't see was that some of the older stalks and roots were starting to rot. A smell developed so I had to go in and clean that out too. I figure its best not to leave plants in the grow beds for long periods of time. Doesn't give opportunities for rot to develop or unwanted things to grow.

3. Even in Hawaii the winter and summer fluctuation affects crops. Lettuce grew perfectly in winter and now its (about 8-10 degrees higher) summer and the lettuce is having problems. I'll have to either look for more heat tolerant varieties or another crop.

4. Maxicrop is awesome. I notice as more fruiting plants grow in your system, more and more maxicrop is needed if you want lots of fruits.

5. I still can't grow chilis. Even in dirt. I think white flies attack it. I'm not very proactive in watching for buggies.

otherwise things going OK.

So one of my gravel beds wasn't draining properly. Pulled the drain pipe, cleared out some roots and all was well. Then went to feed the fish and look what I found!!

One single root made its way through one of my slow drain holes and literally EXPLODED in growth. The root measures over 8 feet long. I'm thinking its one of my tomato plants. We'll find out I guess when the plant dies now.


Awesome

Plants are amazingly resourceful and will make the most of an opportunity to gather more nutrients. You must have got quite a surprise when you discovered that root system HN

HN I didn't know you lived on a putting green.

Haven't up dates in like well, forever. Upgraded the raft system. I started with floating foam, then suspended plywood (both sucked). Now I am trying plastic plywood, bolted angle iron across to keep from sagging.

Really excited about this lasting like well, forever.



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