Aquaponics: Aphids in Aquaponics

It seems that the single worst pest in Aquaponics Systems is aphids. Aphids seem to show up in mass overnight and can decimate our crops almost as fast. In many cases, by the time we react, the damage is done and our crops are a loss. If you are a commercial grower, this means there may be a devastating loss of time and money in a very short period of time. Days in fact. If you are growing for your family, it means you could be weeks or even months without a meaningful harvest from your system. The issue we all face with Aquaponics is that if we try to use a standard pesticide, we not only run the huge risk of poisoning our fish but we also will poison our plants that we intend to eat. For us, that is unacceptable.

Black Aphids

One of the main reasons that are plants are attacked by aphids is due to a potassium deficiency in the plants. Potassium is a key nutrient in plants, it gives plants the ability to move water and other nutrients throughout the plant.
There is one more nutrient that plants need in order to fight off pest, such as aphids. This nutrient is not considered essential yet. However, we do expect that very soon this particular element will be considered an essential n nutrient for plants. This element is known as silicate.

There are two forms that are commonly used in agriculture, both or a mixture of potassium and silicate. We prefer to use the powdered form, primarily because it takes less space to store and has a longer shelf life than the liquid.

Orange Aphids

We have used the nutrient supplement potassium for years, however only in the last few months have we started using potassium silicate. What we have seen so far is that when a pest attacks a plant, the plant will uptake silica and move it to the part of the plant that is being attacked. The plant will do this whether it is a pest attack or a bacterial or fungal attack.

Green Aphids

So now that we are using potassium silicate in our system water and/or our plants in a foliar spray, not only do we see fewer attacks from aphids and other pest but also fewer outbreaks of mold and mildew on our plants. When any of these do occur, the plants now have the ability to move silica to the affected area and repair the damage quickly stopping the attack in its tracks. Now are plants are staying healthy and producing viable crops quicker and longer due to just changing the one supplement from potassium sulfate to "TrueNute Potassium Silicate".

White Aphids

Another effect of using this seemingly miracle nutrient is that the plants are growing thicker stems, making them stronger and able to handle more stress before having an issue.

Red Aphids

How do we stop an attack from "Aphids"? Simple, you have to kill them, and do so quickly. Our favorite way of killing aphids quickly is to use the dish soap "Joy"! Many want to use other dish soaps, but too many issues are reported from doing so, and the "Joy" just works. So if you catch the invasion quickly enough and kill them off, you will save your crops.
However, there is a better way! Instead of reacting to the attack, we are proactive and stop the attacks.
The way we stop the attack before it begins is by making sure our plants are healthy. (Who wants to eat unhealthy plants anyway?)