Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

i have loads of info, both scientific publications and weblinks, so if anyone is interested i'm more than happy to pass them on, plus it provides a welcome br4eak to writing up my PhD thesis (aquatic eco toxicology - pesticides etc etc)

all the best
charlie

Just drinking elderflower cordial when I read that... We have elderberries in .au. I have a traditional European elderberry bush (S. nigricans?) and also the Australian elderberry (Sambucus gaudichaudiana).

ah ha, well the leaves make a potent insecticide, not to mention the multiple uses of the flowers for cordial and 'champagne' and the fruits for jams etc. also my neighbour once made some killer elderflower wine once, we used to have some serious homemade wine sessions (using amoungst other things courgette, beans, pea pods...

all good fun, anyway i will have a look through my notes on which concentrations of the elderflower leaf extractions worked best and get back to you.....

Better post the recipes for the wine as well(just for scientific purposes)

Made from the leaves?

Good call njh... I think the word 'Killer' was a tiny bit misleading...

Hi Institute of Aqua, Charlie,
I am interested in controling fungus type problems... I have a real problem with cucumbers...I know that in general cucumbers are fungus prone but I am finding thet the cucumbers are fruiting ok, but are losing leaves to fungus at an astonishing rate. Do you have any knowledge on that ?
Muzza

Bio farmer we have a neem tree here and ive been using it in our organic garden with some limited success. Like you i thought about it for when my AP system is up and running because up here in the tropics its a sure bet im gonna get a few pests. However I read enough on the net to convince me not to use it as i read about it in relation to fish kills (Tilapa). Even if its not conclusive its enough to get me to shy away.Better to let someone else work outsafe application rates ( if any).

Muzz - Milk is the go with powdery mildew on cucumbers and zucinni. I think the ratio is 1 part milk to 10 parts water - but I will look it up and confirm it for you. It is often said that to be effective the milk should the the organic stuff which is not homogenised (or is it pasturised - one of the other), but I have heard others say it makes no difference (and the organic stuff is pretty expensive so maybe just try normal). Milk is more a preventative than a cure, so remove the worst effected leaves and spray the rest with the formula. Keep doing this over a period and all should be good. I will find a link and post it for you.

Here is a link regarding use of milk as a funguside :-)Milk funguside

Thanks VB, but I am now beginning to think My cucumbers may be suffering from cronic potassium deficency.
Muzza

Muzza,
Can you describe the symptoms of the leaf?
Burning edges, small brown spots, chlorosis, dark veins, wilt, etc.

If it is in small spots you may concider anthracnose:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/pp/notes/ ... _leaf.html

In this case the best starting point is ensuring an unifected souce of seed.

Thanks Raimiuso, good pix, I will add it to my collection, but I reckon it is potassium that is missing.
I have a sis-in-law living in Calgary - hope to visit there in 08 - maybe I will visit and see your system
Muzza

My brother is in Vancouver - is now naturalised Canadian. If I can ever afford to I will visit

LOL