Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have been using Black Strap Molasses for about 18 months,this has been to activate EM which i use in my system and pond,there was a post some where concerning chelating agents which sparked an interest so i did the google thing and up popped Molasses as a organic chelating agent,it also contains Potassium and magnesium but at what levels i don’t know,it is claimed pest don’t like it,but judging by the amount of aphids on the pok choi today the jury is out on that one,and the use in foliar is it aids in sticking the solution to the leaves,which should aid absorption.
I use it in Em as its a carbohydrate source to activate the micro organism into life,i mix 1-1-20 so EM goes a long way,as i said i always add a dash of EM1A into my sprays and as a trial i was thinking of using extra molasses instead of the surfactant,maybe the molasses offers more benefits.

My first lot of floating raft plants is showing a deficiency.

I think it might be K this time because of the burnt edge?



The corn in the constant flood bed has begun to show some Mg deficiency.

Also the chives and spring onions are showing burnt tips.

With the pH at 6.5 I've got plenty of room to add KOH and Lime.

I should have done a NO3 test to see where they are at. Most likely they are still high and that is why the Mg and maybe the K is getting locked out.

Having said that shouldn't foliar spraying bypass nutrient lockout in the root zone? That is the point right?

"Burning" of the leaves around the edges is usually a sign of excess nutrients, rather than a deficiency. The plant sends more water to flush out the excess, making the cells softer, and a bit of wind, or heat or sun can then burst the cells, giving the burnt appearance.

Will the coriander looks like its doing better but the leaves still look a little mottled.


The cress on the other hand has got me stumped.

Some plants look yellow which could be either K or Mg to my mind but whats with the red?

The red I'd say is just a variety.

But when's the last time you added iron? Looks like a more uniform yellowing.

They are all the same variety.

As to iron....well...ah while

So how long before you go commercial Stuart...?

I've started focusing more on the plants because I was beginning to move towards getting a small system up and going which would have meant that I have to know everything.

It seems though that plans for a real commercial operation are back on track in which case I'll need to find both aquaculture and hydroponics managers to have responsibility over their respective areas. Besides the obvious financial benefit that would be good because I'm finding plants much harder than fish or pipes.

Its ok i just tease....and +100 on the plant thing who would of thought growing plants would be so time consuming,complicated,difficult,frustrating and any other adjective i didn’t think of.