Richard bray

Broccoli/Cauliflower
• Water temperature: 60°-65°

• Air temperature: 55°-65°
• Plant spacing: 12’’-16”
• Germination time: 7-14 days
• Timeto harvest; 4-5 month
• Compatible systems: DWC, drip irrigation

These plants are members of the cole crops, and they are some of the ardest plants to grow in an aquaponic system. Broccoli and

cauliflower are the flower structure of a plant, which means they are treated like other fruiting vegetables. However, high nitrogen levels can cause hollow stems which results in a poor-quality product.
Cole crops need a cooler growing environment, longer growing time, and a light source that does not produce heat. While they can be grown in a cooler, dedicated media bed, if they are grown with other plants in warmer conditions they will likely bolt and become bitter.
Media beds also hold onto more bacteria that provide more nutrients to plants. This can cause broccoli to grow too quickly, resulting in hollow stems and a bitter, tough product. Grow media can also harbor fungi, and plants in this family are particularly susceptible to fungi that attack the roots.
Overall, DWC systems provide the best growing conditions for broccoli and cabbage. However, the roots are susceptible to rot if they are constantly wet. The best system for growing these vegetables is a flood-and-drain, DWC system or a drip system with smooth river rock or gravel as a growing media.
Indoor systems provide better control over temperature, but it can also encourage more pest problems. There are many pests that attack cabbage and broccoli, including:

• Cabbage webworm
• Cabbage looper
• Cabbage aphids
• Cabbageworm
• Clubroot

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Large-scale, for-profit production of aquaponic cole crops is extremely difficult without the ability to control water and air temperatures, and monitor root health. In a personal system, one or two plants should grow well if they are planted in the early spring and late fall. Pull any plants that show signs of disease before it spreads to other plants.