Richard bray

MM
patch, aquaponic berries can be a wonderful addition to your grow beds.
Basic Plant Care
Regardless of which plants you decide to grow, they will all follow the same basic process of germination, transplanting, maturation, and harvest.
Germination
All vegetables can be started from seed. Some take longer than others, but starting plants from seed is an easy process.
It’s important to start your own seeds instead of buying vegetable starts from a greenhouse. If you purchase vegetable starts, you will have to completely wash the soil off the roots before introducing them into your system. If you don’t, you may introduce soil-borne pathogens into your system, and you may also throw the plant into shock. If a plant is raised in soil, and then introduced to a water-based growing system, it may not be able to handle the transition.
You also risk mixing pesticide and fertilizer residue into your aquaponic ecosystem if you use plants from a nursery. These may have little effect on the plants, but they can wreak havoc on your fish tank.
You will need the following equipment for germinating seeds:

• Vegetable seeds
• Inert seed-starting media

• Heat pad (for fruiting vegetables)
• Grow lights
• Humidity dome (optional)
• Spray bottle full of water

Rockwool and germination sponges are the most popular methods for starting seeds for an aquaponic system. Avoid any organic seed starting media, like coconut coir and peat pots, because it can throw off the ecosystem.
Soak seed-starting media until it is thoroughly saturated before planting seeds. This can take up to 24 hours for rockwool slabs. Allow the media to drain freely, without squeezing or wringing out excess water.
Place the moist media in a tray, with the small impressions facing up Place 1-2 seeds in each impression, and cover the tray with a clear plastic humidity dome.
If you are planting warm-season crops, place the tray on a heating mat If you are planting cool-season crops, you can put the tray in a well-lit warm corner of your house.
Each day, remove the humidity dome for a few hours to prevent the seeds from molding. Spray any dry spots on the grow media. Once half of the seeds have sprouted, remove the dome. If you are starting seeds indoors, you will need a grow light as soon as the seeds start germinating. Use a light that does not give off heat, and place it a few inches above the seedlings.

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