Plants Care

Nursery

Required minerals

In addition to the three fundamental elements of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which are indispensable for all plant growth, there should be at least ten trace elements present in your nutrients. Each of these trace elements plays a specific and unique function in the plant’s ecosystem.

Nitrogen

Essential for leaf and stem production, it is also a crucial component in constructing plant cells.

Magnesium

Participating in the distribution of phosphorus throughout plants

Calcium

Stimulates root development and facilitates potassium absorption by plants.


Phosphorus

Essential for the development of flowers and fruits, and aids in the growth of healthy roots.


Potassium

Utilized by plant cells during the assimilation of the energy generated by photosynthesis.


Sulfur

Facilitates the production of plant energy and enhances the efficacy of phosphorus.

Iron

Essential for the production of chlorophyll.


Manganese

Facilitates the absorption of nitrogen, a crucial component in the energy transfer process.


Zinc

A crucial component in the energy transfer process.

Copper

Essential for the production of chlorophyll.

Boron

Although required in minute quantities, the exact manner in which plants utilize it remains unknown.


Chlorine

Essential for the process of photosynthesis

Molybdenum

Facilitates numerous chemical reactions.

Under attack !

Aquaponic plants are generally robust and resilient to numerous diseases. However, they can still be susceptible to attacks. Aphids, whiteflies, cochineals, and other insects may infiltrate the plants.
Regularly inspect the plants for perforated leaves that may harbor caterpillars. Identify and eliminate the source of the infestation.
Organic-certified products such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) or neem oil-based products are widely approved in aquaponic systems.

Aphids

Caterpilars

White flies

Calcium

Plants exhibit stunted growth, characterized by distorted, cupped leaves and distinctive interveinal chlorosis.
Symptoms manifest initially on new growth. In fruiting plants such as tomatoes and squash, blossom end rot (BER) will develop.
The most readily identifiable calcium deficiency symptom is BER. Initially, a darkened spot appears on the fruit’s distal end, away from the stem. This spot expands, causing the affected portion of the fruit to sink into the flesh. The color can range from grey to brown.
It is crucial to distinguish BER from a potassium deficiency.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficiency manifests primarily in older leaves, exhibiting interveinal chlorosis along the leaf margins and the development of whitish to light brown necrotic dots. In severe cases, interveinal chlorosis progresses from the margins to the center of the leaflets. Additionally, the smaller veins become chlorotic, while the larger veins remain dark green initially. Subsequently, the entire leaves undergo yellowing, culminating in the death of the older leaves. This condition severely impairs growth and reduces fruit yield.
Magnesium deficiency is one of the many conditions that can mimic other symptoms, making its diagnosis more challenging. It can resemble phosphorus deficiency, but the leaves will not exhibit purpling. Brown spots could be mistaken for a calcium deficiency in the absence of Blossom End Root. 

Iron

Iron deficiency closely resembles a nitrogen deficiency.
Typically, iron deficiency in new growth manifests as yellowing or chlorosis throughout the leaf.
In mature leaves, yellowing occurs predominantly between the veins, while the veins retain their dark green color.
Iron deficiency impairs the plant’s ability to synthesize chlorophyll. It is also crucial for protein synthesis and nutrient absorption, including nitrogen and phosphorus.
Excessive iron levels can alter chlorophyll, inhibiting the plant’s ability to absorb sunlight energy. Additionally, it hinders nutrient uptake and ultimately leads to plant death. Iron over-saturation is more detrimental than deficiency.

Plants use potassium in four significant ways:

Signaling
Potassium, a crucial signaling ion, is characterized by its simplicity, solubility, and electrical charge. This property enables plants to effectively communicate among their cells and various parts of the plant, facilitating coordination in growth, reproduction, and the establishment of defenses against diseases and pests. Notably, potassium-deficient plants exhibit heightened susceptibility to pests.

Water movement
Potassium is also a simple and effective ion to control the osmotic potential of plant cells. The plant uses tiny pumps to move potassium from one area to the next to “inflate” specific cells with water. Water moves from the cells with low potassium concentrations to those with higher concentrations. This allows the plant to keep its tissues full of water, which is essential since plants are mostly made of water.

Stomata (gas exchange)
It also allows the plant to do things like open tiny pores in the surface of the leaves (called stomata) to allow gas to enter and exit the plant.

Building proteins
Last but not least, potassium is essential in building proteins, which are crucial to plant survival.

Cupping or “puckering” of leaves primarily affects older leaves. Leaf cupping is typically accompanied by a mild marginal chlorosis, characterized by the death of leaf margins, particularly at the tip in severe cases. Leaf symptoms are often associated with abnormal fruit development, resulting in cucumber fruit developing a brown or spotted appearance and melons exhibiting abnormal flesh texture and an unpleasant flavor. In certain instances, tomatoes may exhibit green areas as they ripen.