Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I believe I have, just had termite visiting and pointed out to him how one bed in particular had taken off in the last week or so - leaves looking greener, toms and beans bearing more fruit etc.

I have done 2 things recently...added persimilis (good bug to control spider mite) and the MinPlus - both I believe have been beneficial.

Next step is to work out a regular dosage. I started with 100g/m2 of GB, I think this can be halved and possibly added on a monthly basis.

My thoughts are to add small doses regularly.....that way it is more difficult to forget when compared to a quarterly time period

I agree that a small dose added monthly should do the trick...will help stop the turbidity issue also.

Where did you get the good bugs from? Anyone tried breeding them yet? I have spider mites too. These guys and cabbage moths (not here yet buy they ALWAYS find my dirt crops) seem to always sniff out their food of choice. Any insect good for cabbage moth caterpillar?

i don't reckon you should aim for more than a few cupfulls per year its not a macro nute or anything.

my 20c

The persimilis breed in compost heaps so are naturally present in organic gardens. However, as the AP system is lacking the hoimmus (sp) required for them to thrive, you will need to introduce them. Once they have a food source, they will breed and thrive for as long as the food source is available

Good.... 50g/month = 600g/year = 2(plus a bit) cupfulls - that's per m2




Here's a list of predatory bugs, their target food source and an attractant (courtesy of http://www.ommas-aarden.net/comp_plant.htm )

More info on the braconid wasp here at Brisbane insects

Assassin Bug -- Caterpillars, Flies

Big-Eyed Bug -- Aphids, Caterpillars, Leafhoppers, Mites;
attracted by: Clover, Goldenrod, Soybeans.

Braconid Wasp -- Aphids, Armyworm, Cabbageworm, Cornborer, Codling Moth, Elm Bark Beetle, Horn Worm;
attracted by: Dill, Parsley, Yarrow.

Damselbug --Aphids, Caterpillars, Leafhoppers, Thrips;
attracted by: Alfalfa.

Ground Beetle --Caterpillars, Cabbage Maggot, Colorado Potato Beetle Larvae, Cutworms, Slugs, Snails;
attracted by: Clover.

Honeybee -- Pollinator

Hover Fly (Syrphid Fly) -- the larvae eat aphids, various beetles and caterpillars, leafhoppers, mealybugs and thrips
-attracted by: chamomile, asters, cornflower, black-eyed Susans and marigolds.

Ichneumon Wasp --Beetle larvae, Caterpillars, Sawfly,

Lacewing --Aphids, Corn Earworms, Mites, Thrips

Lady Beetle --Aphids attracted by: morning glory vines, angelica, coreopsis, cosmos, sweet alyssum and tansy.

Minute Pirate Bug --Leafhopper nymphs, Spider mites, Thrips

Predatory Mite (persimilis) -- European Red Mites, Spider Mites

Praying Mantis -- Also predates beneficials

Rove Beetle --Aphids, Cabbage Maggot, Flies, Mites, Springtails

Soldier Beetle --Aphids, Beetle larvae, Caterpillars, Corn Rootworm, Cucumber Beetle, Grasshopper eggs;
attracted by: Goldenrod, Milkweed, Hydrangea

Spined Soldier Bug -- Caterpillars, Sawfly larvae

Tachinid Fly --Caterpillars

Tiger Beetle --General predator

Yellowjacket -- Flies, caterpillars

Beneficial Parasitoid Wasps and Hoverflies are attracted to:
Alyssum, Buckwheat, Cilantro, Fennel, Mustard, Phacelia, and Yarrow

Beneficial predator insects are attracted to these pollen and nectar plants :
Carrot, Catnip, Coneflowers, Daisy, Dill, Fennel, Goldenrod, Lemon Balm, Mint, Parsley, Peppermint, Spearmint, Thyme, Yarrow.

Good bugs can be purchased from The Beneficial Bug Coy or Bugs for Bugs

Where are the pictures Les.

Wow. Notice how many herbs are the attractants to the predatory insects.

And someone said that we shouldn't grow mint in AP

Thought about it....but you guys need SOME exercise.

Yes SC nice isn't it I went googling and made a list of local stuff so that I could make a mix....next, set aside an area in a GB in the GH

Do you know of a good source for these pics Les (other than searching for each one individually that is). Everytime I crush a but I wonder if I may be killing something good.

knew i planted yarrow for a good reason

Start here vb, especially relevant as it is Brisbane oriented:
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/pchew_br ... index.html

for example, I clicked on aphids...etc and you get this sort of info:
http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane ... index.html

Excellent info Les. Thanks. Question for everyone: out of the attracting plants on EKB's list, what have you noticed that in your garden never gets eaten by anything?

For me...Thyme, Dill, carrots...nothing seems to eat them.

Next...who wants to set up a seed exchange to start growing these repellants? (so each one of us doesn't need to buy a whole packet of each).

Mon, Can these persimilis be identified in the compost heap? If so I rekon a bucket of compost from the heap should be placed next to the beans. Every month or so just throw in another handful of fresh cut grass to keep the bucket load composting...and the persimilis can jump in and out while they eat red spider mites.

steve, 20c gratefully accepted for the kitty. I was thinking of trying work out how much Min+ will be needed to bring total system water volume up to trace mineral ppm requirement specified by hydroponic growers, minus a value that reflects the amount the fish are being fed (trace minerals coming from fish feed).
Anyone got a list of trace minerals for hydroponics?
Anyone got a list for trace minerals in Ridley's fish feed? or similar?

Good ideas Didje,
maybe we could make it the topic for the next Brissie meet this is a small list I made up of different "good" seeds to attract "good" bugs - the idea being to make a "good bug" mix

Alfalfa/lucerne
Alyssum
Coriander/cilantro
Dill
Marigolds
Parsley
Yarrow

When is the next Brisse meet?

I will bring these seeds:
Thyme
Dill
Corriander
Parsley
Carrot

the tops of my carrots have been chewed a bit by caterpillars