Aquatic Crops

[noogieloaf]

I'm thinking about aquatic crops as a way of reducing the need to pump so much water around. I'd imagine that no need for flood and drain would mean only a requirement for air pumps.

So far I've thought of the following.

* Water chestnut
* Watercress

Does anyone have any ideas or experience with other crops?

Cheers
Nigel

[gtpratt]

Hi there Nigel, Though I like Noogieloaf better )

I have seen things in the past on Landline or the like where the guy whacked his letuces in the pond on rafts (with air pockets so the roots could get air or water as they need).

I understand that there would possibly be limited nutrients available due to the bacteria in use?

I would like to see how this works for you.

I had ours growing in the pond for a couple of weeks while waiting to get the megabins running. There was a notable increase in root growth and indeed some foliage BUT... the slugs were feeding in the root balls (underwater)

Kindest regards.

Gra.

[GaryD]

Hi Nigel,

I'm thinking about aquatic crops as a way of reducing the need to pump so much water around. I'd imagine that no need for flood and drain would mean only a requirement for air pumps.

If you're planning on reducing water flow through an aquaponics system, I'd suggest that you ramp up your aeration and use aquatic plants that remove ammonia directly.....like duckweed and/or water hyacinth.

So far I've thought of the following.
* Water chestnut
* Watercress

While I have no experience with them, you might want to investigate kangkong and taro, too. You'll find out more about kangkong....here......and taro......here. There's a Wikipedia treatment of aquatic plants in general.....here.


Gary

[Sunshine]

I purchased a couple of water chestnuts from Diggers a few weeks ago. They certainly grow fast. I am yet to plant them out as the bed is still under construction so they are growing in the original container on the kitchen sink.

[hellbent]

wouldnt there be a problem of the fish eating the roots if you put it in the same tank?

[KenR60]

Nigel, the watercress will only last while the weather is cooler. I had a few varieties I collected from different people down south last winter and before I managed to get them expanding, winter was over and I lost them before summer even began. Just added some again in the past week and hoping to get a good harvest before winter is over again.

[nick]

my water cress is growing like crazy now and has spread from a 7/8th dead plant to half a grow bed in a couple of weeks, it is very impressive looking and growing the best of everything at the moment.

Nick

[cando]

I have never seen Taro as big as the ones I am growing in my gowbeds at present. Don't know what the corms will be like when I dig it up. It has a massive root system and may become a problem blocking up the gravel.

Francois

[nick]

i guess that my thoughts arethat you are getting huge leaf growth due tohigh nitrate levels but you might be sadly disappointed at the root growth. If you did not have enough potassium you might only get small roots, but having said that I am hoping that you get some great results. Am keen to see pictures.

[cando]

I have another variety of Taro which has edible leaves. It is also growing in the growbeds but overshadowed by the bulbous ones.