Comment

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on January 23, 2014 at 8:44pm

@John. The challenge is to find the right kind of paper. Some are too thick so the seeds get to wet. Others too strong so the roots don't penetrate. The composition and chemical content (bleach) are of a concern as well. But with some experimentation we found papers that worked well almost every time and we have yet to have a seed type fail. Also, one size fits all regarding the paper may not be necessary. Different papers may be better with different seeds. 

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on January 23, 2014 at 5:26pm

It is good to have a daughter who is a Cordon Bleu trained Chef. About half of the food in this plate came from our aquaponcis. It is good to have a daughter who is a Cordon Bleu trained chef. It has never looked or likely tasted so good. Thank you Amanda Miller! (The tilapia and tomatoes)

Comment by Jacques L. on January 23, 2014 at 11:15am

Just gonna toss this out there..

Anybody know of a good source for live catfish (fingerlings preferably).

Looking at these as a possible addition to my tank, but having little luck finding a local supplier.

Thx!  

Comment by John Malone on January 23, 2014 at 9:45am

@Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr.  Thanks for the link.  I came across that very page some months ago and used that technique on this planting.  It worked well for the peas and lettuce, but I think it's too early/cold for the peppers and tomatoes.  

I'm wondering if the seeds get a bit too wet.  The paper does wick the water extremely well.  It's currently my preferred method, for a couple of reasons. 1) It stops the gravel falling out the bottom of the pot, and 2) it provides a location to put the seeds so they don't fall through.

The jury is still out in my mind though.

Comment by John Malone on January 23, 2014 at 9:37am

One of my fish was looking a bit poorly over the last week.  His fins were getting ragged and movement was slower than the rest of the school.  Last night I decided that he wasn't going to make it to the weekend, so got out the knife.   He was one of the biggest in the tank and the fillets are a decent size and quite thick.

I still need to get better at filleting.  It'll come with time and practice.

Comment by Dr. George B. Brooks, Jr. on January 23, 2014 at 9:36am

Greetings. @John, here is the technique I use for germinating in DWC. Once I got it down with the right materials, it has worked every time. Click on the link below:

Link to article: http://bit.ly/16XR6dk

Comment by John Malone on January 23, 2014 at 9:13am

@Kris - Thermostatically controlled heat mat is the Rolls Royce and is just the thing.   It's a $50 investment I'm not quite ready to make.   Not yet.   Particularly when I've got a spot that is right at 85F +/- for free.    And it's above the TV, so I get to check it often.   

I'll probably change my mind in a couple of weeks when I don't have any seeds sprouted!

Comment by Kris Pauly on January 23, 2014 at 5:44am

@ John - We use a seed sprouting mat with temp controller.  Kiss your sprouting failures away.  (other than old seeds).  Nice pics.  What do you use for support for the peas in the DWC?

Comment by John Malone on January 22, 2014 at 8:32pm

Peppers

I'm determined to get past my historical extreme failure with peppers.  I've been reading voraciously on the topic and the common thread is that pepper seeds need to be very warm to germinate. 85F warm!  OK - I'll give that a try.  Top of the fridge?  Nope - it's a new one, super efficient and not warm.  Top of the hot water service?  Same problem.  Dang modern manufacturing processes! 

What to do, what to do?  Ahhh - the DVR.  Yes - that IS warm.  Too warm as it turns out.  95F.   Put the seeds on an upturned disposable aluminum oven tray above the DVR, providing a 1/2" gap?  85F - Perfect!

I'll be watching with bated breath over the next 10-14 days.  Wish me luck.

Comment by John Malone on January 22, 2014 at 8:26pm

Germination in the DWC bed seems to have been a bit hit and miss this time around, particularly for the lettuce.   I've got several pots with multiple seedlings growing rapidly and quite a few that didn't germinate at all.   It's a bit of a puzzler.

The good news though, is that it's relatively easy to move a seedling from a crowded pot to an empty one.   I've moved lettuce and peas this week and there doesn't seem to be any impact at all from the transplant process.   Time will tell of course, but so far the signs are encouraging.

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