Blueberries

[jillswindoll]

What do you all know about growing blueberries in an aquaponics system?

One thing I should mention is that I live in West Central Alabama in the US. Very hot and humid in the summer, only a few days of freezing temperatures each winter. I have read that there are "evergreen" methods that make chilling periods unnecessary...but none of this really applies to aquaponics...

Any information would be appreciated!

[Jason Palenske]

Are they bush or vine variety?

[jillswindoll]

Bush variety.

One problem I can see is that blueberry plants like acidic soil, around 5.0. My system runs in the high 7's. Maybe they are better suited for hydroponics instead of aquaponics.

At any rate, if anyone has any experience or information that would be great!

[Jason Palenske]

Well in general all your citrus types are going to like a higher acidity, but there can be too much of a good thing. What you may want to do is just put something in their grow bed to mellow out the acidity some. Like some good creekside clay sand or something. I'm just up in Kansas so that should work for where your at.

[GaryD]

Hi,


Maybe they are better suited for hydroponics instead of aquaponics.
I think we try to squeeze everything into a neat aquaponics context sometimes. I agree that there will be those plants which need particular conditions and for which hydroponics would be a better choice.

Having said that, FishFood has a lemon tree growing aquaponically.

Gary

[Outbackozzie]

I have a mandarine too :)

[fishfood]

Hi,


I think we try to squeeze everything into a neat aquaponics context sometimes. I agree that there will be those plants which need particular conditions and for which hydroponics would be a better choice.

Having said that, FishFood has a lemon tree growing aquaponically.

GaryYes Gary i have one but its not an outstanding success there is quite a few citrus growing in ap they do real well for 12 months then they just survive atm mine has new shoots flowers and fruit [only small] so if somewon has success let me know then i will have another go [ i am going to put a passionfruit in that tub soon]

[fishfood]

Heres this mornings photo this plant is 2 years old

[Outbackozzie]

I'd say too much water around the base of the plant - they like to stay fairly dry. My mandarine bed floods to about 10 centimeters below the surface.

[Murray]

FF, It does look a bit short, but it looks a whole lot better than the poor sick things I have been trying to get grow in the paddock for the last 3 years.
I do not understand the needs of Citrus.
Maybe the need some extra trace elements or whatever ????

I would really love to be able to grow fruit trees in AP
I have 2 x banana trees and 2 x papaw trees growing at the moment....so far they look good.

The banana trees I have in barrels filled with coco peat and I water them with fish water with a little seasol added. The pawpaw trees are planted in a regular grow bed .....so far they are looking good, especially the "red" variety.

[fishfood]

I'd say too much water around the base of the plant - they like to stay fairly dry. My mandarine bed floods to about 10 centimeters below the surface.The water just flows over the roots for 3 min in the hr theres no stand pipe [flow through]