The Life Cycle of a Plant

Let’s take it back to the basics, because at the end of the day you are first and foremost, a farmer. So, you must understand the life cycle of a plant to ensure your success in harvesting a good crop from your aquaponics system.

This is where it all begins, the seed contains the embryo of the plant. Its protective coating encapsulates the embryo with a sufficient amount of food needed for the germination process. We need to create the ideal environment for germination to take place. A seed requires, oxygen, water and an optimal temperature to initiate the germination process.

There are three ways you can work with seeds in your Aquaponics System. When deciding on which method you would like to use, we recommend looking at the kind of plants you want to grow. This is because the germination periods and requirements may differ for different species.

Seedling Trays

We like to use seedling trays with a starter mix to help the germination process. This method of germinating is most cost-effective. It’s also efficient in getting more seeds successfully germinated. We will use a seedling tray filled with Compost-Peat-Vermiculite mix and plant the seeds directly in these trays. It’s important to maintain optimal moisture and temperature. You can do this by wrapping the trays in plastic sheeting.

Cut-offs and cloning

Certain plants can be cloned using the cut-offs from older plants in the system. Some plants can be cloned. Just plant the cut-offs in the seedling trays until they are strong enough to be transplanted into the media beds. For example, basil & mint.

A plant is considered a seedling as soon as it breaks through the seed coating. This is when you can see the first sign of a plant forming. Some farmers prefer to buy their plants when they are at the seedling stage of their life cycle.

When it comes to transplanting, the older the seedling, the greater the shock to the plant. You want to mature your seedlings as much as possible before introducing them to your system. The transplanting window is produce-dependant so once again, make sure you know about the plants you’re working with. We like to wash the roots and ensure the roots are hanging down when placed in the DWC trays.

This is the low-maintenance step of the life cycle of a plant. However, as we all know, you need to constantly assess and observe your plants while they grow to maturity. We like to say that a problem is best detected early rather than too late. So, if you constantly observe your system you will be the first one to spot any deficiencies or infestations. Other than that, you get the joy of watching your little seedlings grow to their maturity.

At this point, you need to start preparing for the fruiting stage and eventually, your harvest. The plant life cycle is finally closing the circle as the plant has now produced a new batch of seeds for new life to form. Harvesting is solely dependant on the type of plant you are growing. If you are unsure about the harvesting process we would be happy to assist you. Give us a call or book a consultation with us and we can talk about your harvesting procedure.

As the saying goes: “Every farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn’t be a farmer.” So trust in your skills and just monitor your plant at every stage in its life cycle and most importantly, remember that we are here to offer a helping hand at every step of the way. If you are looking for some seedlings or seeds to start out your system, then check out our shop.