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?)

One of the nutrient supplements we use is Potassium Silicate. Silicate has yet to be listed as an essential nutrient, but we believe it will be very soon. Even if it is never listed, what silicate does for plants cannot be ignored. It is like the plants immune system. Without it, plants are open to attacks by many pest and diseases.

This form of Potassium Silicate is easy to use and handle. The dose that we like to work with is around 35 PPM in either a foliar spray or added directly to the Aquaponics system. You can also use it as a soil drench to get the same results.
Basically, after applying Potassium Silicate, you make the plants unpalatable to pest and give the plants the ability to self repair if an attack occurs, be it from a pest or disease.
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Safe and Simple Pest Control in Aquaponics

Safe and Simple Pest Control in Aquaponics

          As the new fad becomes mainstream, farmers new and seasoned have the same issue in an Aquaponics garden. In this article we will focus on the one pest that seems to hit everyone all over the globe, summer and winter. It seems to make no difference the location of your Aquaponics System, indoors or out, this one pest is the one that at some point gets to us all at some point.

Infested Leaf

 Now understand, pest on your plants is perfectly normal, it is natures way of ridding herself of sick plants. So in short, if you have a pest issue, and I don't just mean a bug here and there but a full blown infestation, then you have sick plants. There is no doubt about it, your plants are lacking the key nutrients that help them stay healthy and fight off or at the very least, make themselves not very tasty to bugs.

Aphids infesting the bottom of a leaf.

In the above picture, they seem to be getting ready to give birth as well. The last thing we need is more of them on our plants. Quick action is needed when the infestation starts.

And speaking of them giving birth, aphids give birth to live baby aphids that are ready to eat as soon as their boots hit the plant.

Live birth of an aphid!!!

      I really don't have a clue how many young they bare per day, but it is enough to overrun a garden in no time. Once they start, fast action is a must. their are several ways to deal with the outbreak, some faster than others. Your choices are to purchase lady bugs and release them in your garden, which if you are indoors you may not want to do.The other is to use two tablespoons of the dish soap "Lemon Fresh Joy" to a gallon of water and spray the bugs.It kills on contact and is non toxic. Do not substitute other dish soaps, I can't tell you how many times I have been told that it did not work, only to find out they used the wrong soap.

     There is one way of controlling many pest including aphids that is not only easy, but it is wonderful for the overall health of your plants. Remember, most infestations happen because your plants are not getting the proper nutrients, causing mother nature to say "AH HA", send in the sick plant patrol and rid me of that plant!!!! Click on this link to view this wonderful nutrient supplement for your plants. TrueNute Potassium Silicate !!! Potassium silicate does so much more than just control pest, read below to see more. 

Fully water soluble potassium silicate power is just perfect for Aquaponics Systems.

• Provides resistance to mineral stress.
• Decreases climate stress.
• Improves strength.
• Increases growth and yield.
• Helps plants to resist toxicity from phosphorous, manganese, aluminum and iron.
• Increases tolerance to salt.
• Protect the plants from botrytis (grey mold) and powdery mildew (PM).
• Use as a foliar spray to prevent molds, bacteria's and fungi's
• Potassium Silicate is not a pesticide but when used as a foliar spray it is a wonderful pest deterrent.

All around, this is a truly great addition to your nutrient supplement set.

Ways to implement Potassium Silicate

• Can be used Safely as PH Up!
• Premix in water and use acid to lower the PH of the solution to where you want it to be and then add it to your system water.
• Foliar Spray!

Get your Aquaponics Grade Potassium Silicate Here!!!

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Article by Roger Loper