Cleaning the Tomatoes

Every year I let one plant do its own thing in the aquaponics. Its how I learn best – by observing and interacting (where have I heard that phrase before)?

We had a massive yield this year compared to previous years and I was happy to let things get out of hand. Today the obsessive clean freak Tauran part of me made a rare appearance and I had to prune. The prunings won’t go to the compost but are one of the rare things that go into the green bin. I’m not sure what some of the things are and don’t want them getting to the front yard Solanums.

The pics are of the common issues that I had. It was great to see a thriving ecosystem in there, lots of predators. I think most of the issues are a nutrient problem. It’s hard to balance an aquaponics or hydroponics system with a big range of plants with only organic, home made supplements and fertilizers. So from now on, I’m going to have to do a weekly addition of a generic soluble fertilizer that has a good range of trace elements and micronutrients.

In a way, I think it’s all the Tomatoe’s response to the crazy weather. Super hot one moment, cold and raining the next. Today, it’s blowing a gale. No wonder the plants are confused!