This group is dedicated to those who are interested and growing in wicking beds. Wicking beds in conjunction with aquaponics can enable us to grow just about every crop that cannot be grown in standard aquaponics. Lets discuss deign, operation and whatever aspect of wicking bed growing you can think of.
Members: 212
Latest Activity: Dec 18, 2020
Started by Lida Soileau. Last reply by Lida Soileau Feb 4, 2016. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Hi all,I am looking to build a wicking bed this year. (Once I get it going successfully I plan to tie it into an aquaponic system.) I have seen many different designs on the web - some put net pots…Continue
Started by Philippe Pauvert. Last reply by Philippe Pauvert May 8, 2015. 12 Replies 0 Likes
Hi,What would be a suitable media mix to ensure adequate capillarity and soil quality for seedling and cuttings?Since the WB will be in a aquaponics system it will be of the Earthan type, if there…Continue
Started by Carl Jacobs. Last reply by Paul Smith Apr 15, 2015. 10 Replies 0 Likes
Any body attempt to grow in winter using hoop covers in zone 5 ,if so changes requiredContinue
Started by Robert Jack Meyer. Last reply by Paul Smith Nov 17, 2014. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Hey folks,I'm new to aquaponics, only having dabbled in it briefly before, and am considering my system options. After much research and brainstorming, I've come up with an idea that I am not…Continue
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I never heard of coconut coir until is visited your site. It looks to be perhaps a good media for growth beds for hydroponic gardening as well as a component of a good potting mix.
Does any of you folks know of a good source and how it might be priced?
I am involved in an offshoot of square foot gardening using 12" schedual 40 PVC pipe as a 10 ft long horizontal container capped on both ends and with 4.5 in planting holes every 12 inches.
I have been using Mel Bartholomew's "Square Foot Gardening Book" as my beginners guide. I am also moving toward Hydroponic and Aquaponic additions.
Charlie, I do not know if gammarus get into the reservoir as it is not assessable once covered with the media. I am sure that worms get down there though. I am not sure if a trough could be converted for wicking. In theory it seems like it could work. There are a few things to consider though. The rock reservoir has the potential to puncture the liner. The rock will restrict water flow down the reservoir so the flow rate would have to be slowed considerably through that trough. The worst of all is the weed factor. Wicking beds like soil gardening allows weeds to get started and if not dealt with early can become a problem. After seeds germinate in my beds I have to spend some time weeding and thinning the carrots. Weeding a trough on the ground means a lot of bending over(which I hate doing!!!!). It is worth experimenting with on a small scale first.
Hey Charlie hope all is well on Kauai. Yes, I think wicking bed should work with 9 inches of media and 3 inches of reservoir. The water will be wicked out quick with mature plants and hot days. With 9 inches of media you will have to grow crops that do not have to send roots down below 9 inches. If you look closely at the picture below of the harvested carrots you will see that the longer ones grew through the mat and broke off there when harvested.
Yes Larry, I can adjust the reservoir level using the triple 90s.
OK, that's it. I'm putting one of these in! Nice harvest. I'm assuming the el's in the overflow pipes are to adjust the water level in the reservoirs? Thanks for the pics!
im stoked you started this group! i am ready to begin building some wicking beds.
thanks Chris
SO great that you have started this group, Chris! I've been wondering about wicking beds in hybrid system designs. Now we can all benefit from your experience. Thanks!
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