Ponos is the god of labor in Greek mythology and the basis for the Greek word ponics which means hard work. In modern English, ponics
is combined with the Greek and Latin words for air and water to
describe different methods of soil less agriculture. Photosynthesis in
plants requires access to minerals, especially nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium. These nutrients are found naturally in the soil but the soil
itself is not required for plant growth. So the common thread in all
soil less gardening techniques is the existence of an alternative means
via air and water of delivering those minerals directly to the roots of
the plants.
Hydro is the Greek word for water and
hydroponics literally means "working water." It is the name for the
process of growing plants in beds of sand, gravel, or similar supporting
material that is flooded with nutrient rich water based solutions.
Hydroponics is the oldest of the soil less cultivation methods and goes
back 1000s of years to the early Egyptians, Aztecs and Chinese. Of the
three soil less gardening methods described in this article, hydroponics
is the simplest to implement but also the least efficient. Regardless
it enables easy indoor gardening and will typically produce crops on
about 20% of the land and use about 10% of the water as traditional
agriculture.
Aero is the Greek word for air and
aeroponics is the gardening technique for growing plants without
anchoring them in soil or a nutrient drenched hydroponic media. In
aeroponics, the plants' roots are suspended in air in a chamber and
intermittently spayed or misted with nutrient-laden water. The goal is
to hold the humidity of the chamber at or close to 100% which exposes
the roots to abundant oxygen, CO2 and the necessary nutrients.
Aeroponics is a relatively new high tech method of gardening dating back
to the end of the 20th century. It is well suited to indoor gardening
and can produce crop yields that exceed hydroponics by as much as 40%.
It is also more complicated and less forgiving than hydroponics. The
wet/dry spray cycles must be consistently timed and crops can be
severely damaged or completely lost due to even short electrical power
outages or equipment failures.
Aqua is the Latin word for water
and aquaponics is the modern practice of growing fish and plants in a
closed water system utilizing the natural synergistic relationship
between these two species. Aquaponics combines hydroponics with
aquaculture to create a sustainable food producing process that yields
organic fruits and vegetables plus healthy fish populations for either
consumption or as ornamental pets.
Aquaculture or fish farming is
the growing of aquatic species, such as fish, crayfish and prawns in a
controlled environment. A key to the ability to grow healthy fish in an
aquaculture system is to maintain the water quality through the removal
of adverse elements produced from fish waste products. As previously
stated, hydroponics is growing plants in a solution of water and
nutrients. Hydroponic farmers must maintain the level of nutrients in
the water as they are consumed by the plants adding labor and expense to
the processes.
Aquaponics utilizes a symbiotic relationship
between the two species to provide nutrients for the plants while at the
same time sustaining clean water for the fish As they eat and grow fish
produce waste that introduce ammonia into the water which is toxic to
most aquatic animals. Through a natural multi-step process known as the
Nitrogen Cycle, ammonia from fish waste products are transformed by
bacteria into nitrates that are a source of the nutrients that are
needed by plants. The plants feed on these nutrients and filter and
clean the water for the fish. By combining these two older systems,
aquaponics is the ideal answer to a fish framers problem of disposing
nutrient rich water and a hydroponic growers need for nutrient rich
water.
Kamis, 12 Januari 2012
Selasa, 10 Januari 2012
Aronia Planting Guide - Part I - Soil PH, Soil Needs, Weed Control, and Watering
Aronia Plants Are Nature's Super Healthy Creation
Aronia is a true Native American plant that is widely grown in Europe for fruit production. A native plant, developing in the North America ecosystem, Aronia bushes have adapted to grow in growing zones 3 to 7. It is a perennial, deciduous, self pollinating, self-supporting shrub.
There are many advantages to growing an aronia plant on your property. It is a very ornamental and resilient plant. It is adapted to the natural ecosystem; it is better able to withstand invasions from insects and diseases as well as the natural variations in the climate than non native plants. Native aronia plants require little care once established on your property. The flowers are self pollinating (apomictic), thus only one plant is needed to produce fruit. Full of antioxidants, Aronia produces one of the healthiest berries on the planet. The Viking and Nero varieties are heavy fruit producers and can be a major source of income for a small farm.
Basics
Sun
- Aronia does best in full sun but will also grow in shade
Soil pH
Aronia plants do best in a slightly acidic soil with an optimum pH range of 6.1 to 6.5. They however will grow in acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil with a pH range from 5.3 to 7.8. Some report the optimum pH range is 6 to 7. A pH of 7 is neutral and higher is alkaline and lower is acidic. Blueberries in comparison require a well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.2.
Soil needs and weed control
- Have a soil sample from your field analyzed by your county agent if there is any doubt about your soil conditions and amend soil as needed. Aronia will grow in many types of soil, Sandy, clay, loamy.
A well prepared soil before starting the plantation is a basic requirement and will have an impact on fruit production and the beginning of fruiting. For poor soil adding organic material such as manure is recommended before planting aronia plants.
The planting area must first be cleared from weeds. This will make the cultivation of the young plants easier in the first years because young aronia plants are sensitive to weeding to a high degree. Another alternative is to use landscaping cloth or layers of newspaper to control weed growth during the first 3 or 4 years of plant development. Consider using permeable landscape cloth to control weeds if too much labor is required to control weeds otherwise. Weeds are one of the major factors in reducing farm productivity. At blueberry Croft farm and nursery landscaping cloth is used to help control the weed problem. The landscaping cloth or news papers need to be covered with mulch to a depth of about 2 to 4 inches. Landscaping cloth prevents the growth of most weeds (although some grasses will grow through them) and they will allow normal water and oxygen exchange. Use a coarse-textured mulch material to cover the landscape fabric. At 4 to 5 years of age, aronia will have developed a good root system and several additional new canes because of its suckering nature making it strong enough to choke weeds out and you then only need to mow in the rows between the plants. It has a tap-root which helps it be somewhat drought tolerant once it is established.
Watering
When practical, especially when precipitation levels are low or availability of water is limited, you should use water-efficient drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Water plants once or twice a week to keep soil moist, not wet if there is not enough rain. Be ready to water during extended periods of hot sunny, windy, dry spells. To help roots develop allow soil to dry moderately several inches deep before irrigating.
The soil needs to be kept moist, particularly during the very first two years after the plant is planted. Use a thick mulch of leaves or other compost following planting to assist retaining moisture and suppress weeds. Aronia will take about 5 years to attain full productivity but should start producing some berries the third year.
- Keep them watered especially while the plants are first getting established. Newly planted aronia must have adequate soil moisture until their roots are established.
Lack of water for plants producing fruit is one of the most significant factors in reduced fruit yield and berry size. Aronia plants can tolerate over saturation more effectively than other plants.
Aronia is a true Native American plant that is widely grown in Europe for fruit production. A native plant, developing in the North America ecosystem, Aronia bushes have adapted to grow in growing zones 3 to 7. It is a perennial, deciduous, self pollinating, self-supporting shrub.
There are many advantages to growing an aronia plant on your property. It is a very ornamental and resilient plant. It is adapted to the natural ecosystem; it is better able to withstand invasions from insects and diseases as well as the natural variations in the climate than non native plants. Native aronia plants require little care once established on your property. The flowers are self pollinating (apomictic), thus only one plant is needed to produce fruit. Full of antioxidants, Aronia produces one of the healthiest berries on the planet. The Viking and Nero varieties are heavy fruit producers and can be a major source of income for a small farm.
Basics
Sun
- Aronia does best in full sun but will also grow in shade
Soil pH
Aronia plants do best in a slightly acidic soil with an optimum pH range of 6.1 to 6.5. They however will grow in acidic, neutral, or alkaline soil with a pH range from 5.3 to 7.8. Some report the optimum pH range is 6 to 7. A pH of 7 is neutral and higher is alkaline and lower is acidic. Blueberries in comparison require a well-drained soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.2.
Soil needs and weed control
- Have a soil sample from your field analyzed by your county agent if there is any doubt about your soil conditions and amend soil as needed. Aronia will grow in many types of soil, Sandy, clay, loamy.
A well prepared soil before starting the plantation is a basic requirement and will have an impact on fruit production and the beginning of fruiting. For poor soil adding organic material such as manure is recommended before planting aronia plants.
The planting area must first be cleared from weeds. This will make the cultivation of the young plants easier in the first years because young aronia plants are sensitive to weeding to a high degree. Another alternative is to use landscaping cloth or layers of newspaper to control weed growth during the first 3 or 4 years of plant development. Consider using permeable landscape cloth to control weeds if too much labor is required to control weeds otherwise. Weeds are one of the major factors in reducing farm productivity. At blueberry Croft farm and nursery landscaping cloth is used to help control the weed problem. The landscaping cloth or news papers need to be covered with mulch to a depth of about 2 to 4 inches. Landscaping cloth prevents the growth of most weeds (although some grasses will grow through them) and they will allow normal water and oxygen exchange. Use a coarse-textured mulch material to cover the landscape fabric. At 4 to 5 years of age, aronia will have developed a good root system and several additional new canes because of its suckering nature making it strong enough to choke weeds out and you then only need to mow in the rows between the plants. It has a tap-root which helps it be somewhat drought tolerant once it is established.
Watering
When practical, especially when precipitation levels are low or availability of water is limited, you should use water-efficient drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Water plants once or twice a week to keep soil moist, not wet if there is not enough rain. Be ready to water during extended periods of hot sunny, windy, dry spells. To help roots develop allow soil to dry moderately several inches deep before irrigating.
The soil needs to be kept moist, particularly during the very first two years after the plant is planted. Use a thick mulch of leaves or other compost following planting to assist retaining moisture and suppress weeds. Aronia will take about 5 years to attain full productivity but should start producing some berries the third year.
- Keep them watered especially while the plants are first getting established. Newly planted aronia must have adequate soil moisture until their roots are established.
Lack of water for plants producing fruit is one of the most significant factors in reduced fruit yield and berry size. Aronia plants can tolerate over saturation more effectively than other plants.
Kamis, 05 Januari 2012
Why Control Deer? Deer Management
Deer share their environment with many other animals, including man
who uses the countryside to produce food crops, for grazing. Humans also
build roads and railways through the deer's environment, providing
transport to towns and cities. Deer damage crops and grass from
livestock fields costing farmers huge amounts in loss of crops and extra
feed needed to keep livestock. Due to development deer have had to
adapt to the areas left to them and to utilise areas such as gardens and
crop fields, as the natural countryside gets developed. Deer also
devastate new tree plantations by eating the tops of the sapling trees,
deer even eat the bark from trees when they have overtaken their food
source! If the deer numbers where not managed in such situations they
could end up killing the woodlands they live in! Deer are also known
carriers of TB.
The urban fox is well known, having featured in many television programmes, but what is less well known is that the Muntjac, our smallest deer, is almost as common in some urban areas.
In order to ensure the welfare of deer, protecting them from starvation due to overgrazing and from road traffic accidents, it is important that they are managed. It is equally important to protect other creatures sharing their habitat from the results of overgrazing, as well as to prevent the deer from causing unacceptable damage to crops and trees. Usually the management of deer means that they have to be 'culled' and it is important that the cull be carried out efficiently and humanely by people who understand exactly what they are doing. A series of certificated courses are provided by the British Deer Society for those concerned and educational material showing why management is important to the welfare and conservation of deer in the absence of a natural predator is also available.
Road traffic incidents involving deer are common where deer are present in large numbers, especially where their habitat is crossed by roads. In 2007 a survey showed that there over 70,000 incidents involving deer across the country.
There are six deer species living wild in Britain. Two species are native, Red and Roe deer. Fallow deer were introduced by the Romans, although a species known as the 'Clacton Fallow' recorded during the Ice Age. Sika, Muntjac and Chinese Water deer were all introduced around the 19th to 20th centuries, Some of the park deer escaped and now live wild.
Fallow and Red deer are the most common species to be kept in parks and are also farmed for their meat. Sika deer are also often seen in deer parks, but in smaller numbers than Fallow or Red deer.
Muntjac and Chinese Water deer are more secretive and hard to see in a deer park, therefore they are less common in deer parks. Roe bucks are commonly considered too dangerous to keep in parks, therefore Roe Deer are rarely seen in parks unless in a secure enclosure.
The urban fox is well known, having featured in many television programmes, but what is less well known is that the Muntjac, our smallest deer, is almost as common in some urban areas.
In order to ensure the welfare of deer, protecting them from starvation due to overgrazing and from road traffic accidents, it is important that they are managed. It is equally important to protect other creatures sharing their habitat from the results of overgrazing, as well as to prevent the deer from causing unacceptable damage to crops and trees. Usually the management of deer means that they have to be 'culled' and it is important that the cull be carried out efficiently and humanely by people who understand exactly what they are doing. A series of certificated courses are provided by the British Deer Society for those concerned and educational material showing why management is important to the welfare and conservation of deer in the absence of a natural predator is also available.
Road traffic incidents involving deer are common where deer are present in large numbers, especially where their habitat is crossed by roads. In 2007 a survey showed that there over 70,000 incidents involving deer across the country.
There are six deer species living wild in Britain. Two species are native, Red and Roe deer. Fallow deer were introduced by the Romans, although a species known as the 'Clacton Fallow' recorded during the Ice Age. Sika, Muntjac and Chinese Water deer were all introduced around the 19th to 20th centuries, Some of the park deer escaped and now live wild.
Fallow and Red deer are the most common species to be kept in parks and are also farmed for their meat. Sika deer are also often seen in deer parks, but in smaller numbers than Fallow or Red deer.
Muntjac and Chinese Water deer are more secretive and hard to see in a deer park, therefore they are less common in deer parks. Roe bucks are commonly considered too dangerous to keep in parks, therefore Roe Deer are rarely seen in parks unless in a secure enclosure.
Rabu, 04 Januari 2012
Aquaponics: How to Deal With Common Problems
How to deal with problems in aquaponics? With the internet,
aquaponic farmers from all over the world are now able to share their
knowledge and experiences with one another as well as to the newbie who
need some guidance and advice. It's a good thing that, in this day and
age, when you encounter a problem all you have to do is go to the
computer. This article lists down the common problems an aquaponic
farmer has to deal with.
Leaves are turning brown or wilting - the browning or wilting of leaves most likely means that there is a high level of mineral in the water. Make sure that you haven't added any chemicals to the fish tank, if you have, discontinue the use of that specific chemical. Plants are sensitive to chemicals so consult first with an expert before adding anything.
This could also mean nutrient deficiency. Try adding more fish feed to the fish tank. This will allow more nutrients to reach the grow beds.
Leaves are wilting and dying - when your crops are dying, it is time to consider the type of water flow you are using on your system. Especially if it is now a continuous water flow, chances are your plants aren't getting enough oxygen so try switching to once hourly or the ebb-and-flood method.
You can also check the pH level of the water in your tank. You will have to match it to the pH level that the plants are used to.
Look out for pests and bugs. These creatures may sometimes not be visible so pay close attention because they might be the ones causing your plants' health.
If none of these methods are working, you can either try growing another kind of plant and see if you are doing something wrong with the system or you can consult an expert or an aquaponic farmer who has a lot of experience.
Fish are at the surface gasping for air - when fish are at the surface of the water, this means that they are searching for oxygen to breath. Your aeration system is not able to supply them with the amount of oxygen that they need so you will have to add more aeration system. When this happens, keep a close eye on the fish that are almost dead and remove them immediately. Leaving dead fish inside the tank could risk the health of all the other fish.
Fish are swimming on their side - this isn't normal to most fish species, this could mean that they are unhealthy so try changing their feed. They might not be getting enough nutrients from the one that you are currently feeding them.
The water in the holding tank is really dirty -when this happens, you must take action immediately or else your fish will suffer from pollution. Clean the water as soon as you can. The most common cause of dirty water is giving too much fish feed, make sure you only give what the fish can consume. You may also check whether your filter is still working well and add an extra filter at least until the water is clean enough.
Leaves are turning brown or wilting - the browning or wilting of leaves most likely means that there is a high level of mineral in the water. Make sure that you haven't added any chemicals to the fish tank, if you have, discontinue the use of that specific chemical. Plants are sensitive to chemicals so consult first with an expert before adding anything.
This could also mean nutrient deficiency. Try adding more fish feed to the fish tank. This will allow more nutrients to reach the grow beds.
Leaves are wilting and dying - when your crops are dying, it is time to consider the type of water flow you are using on your system. Especially if it is now a continuous water flow, chances are your plants aren't getting enough oxygen so try switching to once hourly or the ebb-and-flood method.
You can also check the pH level of the water in your tank. You will have to match it to the pH level that the plants are used to.
Look out for pests and bugs. These creatures may sometimes not be visible so pay close attention because they might be the ones causing your plants' health.
If none of these methods are working, you can either try growing another kind of plant and see if you are doing something wrong with the system or you can consult an expert or an aquaponic farmer who has a lot of experience.
Fish are at the surface gasping for air - when fish are at the surface of the water, this means that they are searching for oxygen to breath. Your aeration system is not able to supply them with the amount of oxygen that they need so you will have to add more aeration system. When this happens, keep a close eye on the fish that are almost dead and remove them immediately. Leaving dead fish inside the tank could risk the health of all the other fish.
Fish are swimming on their side - this isn't normal to most fish species, this could mean that they are unhealthy so try changing their feed. They might not be getting enough nutrients from the one that you are currently feeding them.
The water in the holding tank is really dirty -when this happens, you must take action immediately or else your fish will suffer from pollution. Clean the water as soon as you can. The most common cause of dirty water is giving too much fish feed, make sure you only give what the fish can consume. You may also check whether your filter is still working well and add an extra filter at least until the water is clean enough.
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