Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all,

You know the saying 'Life sometimes gets in the way'...well, that's what's happening to me. Haven't had the time or the opportunity to care for my plants lately, and they're really suffering now.

I've never been much of a gardener, and it's starting to show. Hopefully someone here will have a few suggestions as to what I can do with what I've got going on.

I'll be doing a water test again today and will post those results as well. Water quality seems to be normal and I am not having any issues with the fish. There are roughly 45 Tilapia and about 20 or so Goldfish.

Is there something I can spray on the affected leaves to (a) get rid of bugs, and (b) to help with whatever deficiency they're experiencing?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Multiple pics to follow....

The issues aren't only with the cucumbers....everything else in the system is showing signs of problems.

Tomatoes, Squash, and Strawberries all have their own issues.



If this is an iron deficiency.....I think I've read that I can use Chelated Iron, but seems to me there was some type to stay away from. A link to the preferred type would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone for anything you can tell me. Even if it's to yank it all and start over, lol.

First, trim off the leaves that are eaten through, and get them away from everything so the bugs don't move to the other good leaves. I trim my cucumber leaves as they get old regardless. The same with the wilted tomato branches. Too many leaves actually inhibit fruit growth on tomatoes. Especially less than prime leaves. As for bug control on the rest of the plants, I usually start with a good strong jet of water from the hose. That is usually enough to get the numbers to a reasonable number. If the hose is not enough, add ladybugs. Before releasing the ladybugs, hose off as many aphids as you can still. Too many aphids will mount a defense against the ladybugs and render them ineffective, but when they are thinned out and disoriented, the ladybugs have a field day.

Thanks for the quick reply. I have noticed a few ladybugs on the leaves.

On another note, I've noticed I've got a trail of ants going to the cucumbers....guess they're working the aphids? Haven't seen them on anything else. Is there anything I can put out to discourage the ants from climbing my growbed walls?


As far as trimming the leaves.....is it better to cut the stem back to the vine, or just as long as the leaf itself is cut off?

Here's the test results.

What is the ideal range for Nitrate? Is there an upper limit that I don't want to reach. Today is my planned day to drain the swirl filter, I'm hoping that will drop the levels a bit.

Yep. Get rid of the aphids.