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Everything about Plant Nutrients and Pest Control for Plants

Author: Eunice

  • Know How Many Tilapia Per Gallon For An Aquaponics System

    Know How Many Tilapia Per Gallon For An Aquaponics System

    Are you wondering how many tilapia can fit per gallon? We will let you know in this post. Tilapia is one of the best and most popular fish to raise in aquaponics in the United States, especially for beginners. It is a fast-growing fish, easy to grow, hardy, and highly adaptive to its environment.

    There have been many debates on how many gallons of water one can use for each tilapia. Well, this post is to enlighten you on how many tilapia per gallon of water you can stock in your aquaponics.

    How Many Tilapia Can Fit Per Gallon

    So the obvious question is: How many tilapia can fit per gallon of water? Well, you can fit one tilapia per gallon of water only if they are not grown fully.

    • By Inch – Ideally, the general consensus rule for any fish is that 1 inch of fish will fit 1 gallon of a water tank. Therefore, let’s say you have a 4 inches tilapia fish; each tilapia will then need around 4 gallons of water.
    • By Pounds – If you are measuring in pounds, then a pound of tilapia will fit 3 gallons of water. A tilapia that is fully grown will weigh around 1 pound. However, they can grow bigger and weigh more. Therefore, we can say 1 fully grown tilapia can fit 3 gallons of water or even 6 gallons of water.

    Recommended Tilapia Aquaponics Tank Size

    The tilapia aquaponics fish tank size recommended will solely depend on:

    • The number of tilapia fish you plan to stock in your aquaponics.
    • Also, the number of plants you wish to grow.

    What most people do is begin with a tank of no less than 500 liters. 500 liters will give you around 130 gallons of water. This should give you adequate room for about 20 to 40 grown tilapia, depending on the size of the fish.

    Another thing is to take into account the size of your plant beds. The more your plant beds are bigger, the more fish can fit in the very same 130 gallons of water tank.

    5 Major Tilapia Needs

    There are various species of tilapia and tilapia fish requirements are not so strenuous. Their basic needs include good water quality, food, light, oxygen, and adequate room to swim. Just provide your tilapia with these requirements and watch them grow healthy and faster.

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    The beauty of tilapia farming is to comprehend each of these 5 needs. We have explained these requirements below:

    1. Clean water or good water quality- If you plan to consume your tilapia, you should provide your tilapia fish tank with clean water which you would drink yourself. If you can’t drink the water you are supplying your fish then it’s not worth giving them such water. Supply them with safe private clean water. If possible, purchase a water softener, a reverse osmosis system, or a nitrate remover. This way, you keep the water in a condition that your body can consume safely when you consume these fish.

    2. Oxygen – Your tilapia fish will need adequate aeration and water circulation. Make use of air pumps and water which will allow the water to have adequate oxygen to suit your aquatic animals.

    3. Food – Supply your tilapia fish with good food and as well avoid overfeeding and remove uneaten or wasted food. Remove the foods that are not eaten after about 30 minutes and make some adjustments to the next portion of food. This way, the uneaten or wasted foods do not rot inside the system to cause harm to your tilapia fish. Rotten foods can cause disease so you want to avoid such.

    Note that during the early stage of tilapia, they eat more than their body weight per day. However, as they grow, their food consumption reduces.

    5 Major Tilapia Needs

    4. Light – Tilapia requires adequate light to thrive. The deficiency of light will not allow them to move or even eat, and as such, they can die. Thus, provide your tilapia fish with light.

    5. Adequate room to swim – Though tilapia can withstand a crowded environment better than other species of fish, however, there is a limit to this. Too crowded tilapia fish can drain the shared oxygen supply rapidly. Oxygen deprivation in tilapia fish can cause stress and harm the organs and other sensitive parts of the fish.

    Check out Where to Buy Fish for Aquaponics

    FAQ’s

    How many tilapia can go in a 100 gallon tank?

    Tilapia are actually pretty easy to start with, but you should get them as adults. They will be a bit bigger when you get them. They need to eat, and they eat a lot. You want at least one male and one female. Males will fight for a harem of females, so you want to make sure you have at least one male and one female in your tank. You will also want to add a few more plants than that, but I’d say about 6-8 is a good number. The most important thing is to get a really good water conditioner like a Marineland, AquaClear, or similar product.

    Will tilapia reproduce in aquaponics?

    Tilapia can reproduce in an Aquaponic system. 

    You need to be careful not to over-stress them. The Tilapia will have the best chance of survival if you provide a large enough area for them to live and grow in. The more surface area they have to swim around in the tank, the better. Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponics. It has been around since the late 1950’s but was only recently rediscovered in the USA.

    Aquaponics uses a recirculating water system with a closed loop where the fish waste and other nutrients from the fish tanks are used to feed plants in the hydroponic beds. The plant wastes are then returned to the fish tank to be filtered and reused. It works great for small fish like tilapia but I would not recommend it for larger fish.

    How do you start an aquaponic system?

    The first step is to choose your fish. If you’re new to aquaponics, it’s a good idea to start with a simple system with just one fish, such as the European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). The European seabass is easy to keep and will provide nutrients for your plants. They’re also small enough to fit into a 4 litre tank. If you already have a fish tank, you can use it as an aquaponic system. In this case, you’ll need to find a way of transferring the fish waste from the tank into the growing bed. You could use a pump and a pipe or siphon to transfer the water. Or you could set up a filter system. You’ll need to find a way to clean the tank every day or two and change the water.

    How Many Tilapia Can I Put in a 50-gallon Tank?

    Tilapia fish are highly tolerant of sibling density. This means that they can withstand a lot of other fish in the tank at the same time. However, you have to remember that they do need quite a bit of space to swim around without bumping into each other and potentially getting damaged by rubbing against each other.

    Depending on the size of the fish, you can fit anywhere between 10 and 12 pounds of tilapia. To make sure that your fish are comfortable and have enough space to maneuver around the tank, work out the appropriate stocking density based on the size of your fish. 

    How Many Tilapia Can Go in a 55-gallon Tank?

    The general rule of thumb with stocking tilapia is that for every pound of tilapia you need three gallons of water. So before stoking your 55-gallon tank, determine the total weight of the fish you want to go into. From this weight, work out 3 gallons per pound to see how many you can fit in your tank.

    Also, remember that your tilapia will grow so you will need to make space provisions to allow them to still have sufficient space to grow, do not completely saturate the tank.  

    How Many Tilapia Can Be Raised in a 250-gallon Tank?

    The number of tilapia that you can grow in a 250-gallon depends on other factors as well. A 250-gallon tank is quite a substantial size tank so you can have a bit of fun with the fish in it. If you can ensure that you have sufficient aeration and an efficient biofiltration system, you can stock more fish and be secure that the filtration system will be able to handle the volume of waste that is generated by the fish.

    The maximum number of tilapia that can be raised in a 250-gallon tank, working on the three gallons for every pound rule of thumb is about 83 pounds of fish. You will obviously need to consider the size of your fish before confirming this number.

    How Many Tilapia in a 1000-gallon Tank?

    Sticking with the three gallons of water for every pound of tilapia, you can safely and efficiently keep and grow about 333 pounds of tilapia in a 1000-gallon tank. Because you have ample space in this tank, it may be wise and even make your tank look better if you put larger or mature tilapia. You will be able to enjoy your fish more because they are more visible, you could even get tilapia of different colors for that extra pop of color and vibrancy in your tank.

    How Many Tilapia Can I Put in a 275-gallon Tank?

    The maximum number of tilapia that you can keep in a 275-gallon tank is 91 pounds. Stocked at this density, your tilapia will have the best chance of survival and will grow efficiently without having to compete for space and resources with the other fish in the tank because they will all be sufficiently provided for. 

    How Many Tilapia in a 20-gallon Tank?

    How many tilapia you can put in a 20-gallon tank depends on what you intend to do with them. The maximum number you can keep depends on how much your fish weigh, just make sure that you keep it to 6 or fewer pounds in the tank. If you want your tilapia to grow more efficiently in this 20-gallon tank, stock them at a lower density and feed them more.

    How Many Tilapia Can You Have in a 200-gallon Tank?

    A 200-gallon tank can accommodate a maximum of 67 pounds of tilapia. With efficient oxygenation and filtration in the tank, your tilapia will be very happy.

    Final Say on How Many Tilapia Per Gallon

    Now, we know 1 inch of tilapia fish can fit per gallon of water. Also, a fully grown pound of tilapia can fit 3 to 6 gallons of water.

    Ensure you always keep an eye on the water quality frequently. Also, always monitor and adjust the quantity of food you supply your tilapia fish.

  • How Often Should You Water A Vegetable Garden

    How Often Should You Water A Vegetable Garden

    One essential aspect of growing a vegetable garden is watering. If you’re a gardener and you’re wondering how often you should water a vegetable garden, we will let you know in this post.

    Almost all vegetables consist mainly of water; as such, water is an essential element for its growth. Overwatering or under watering your vegetable garden can be detrimental to their growth. This is why you should know the adequate amount of water needed for your vegetable plant.

    Get To Know How Often You Should Water Your Vegetable Garden

    The rate at which you should water your vegetable garden will depend on your veggies’ watering needs. This is because crops vary in the quantity of water required.

    Type of Plant: larger veggies will require daily or more watering. On the other hand, smaller veggies will need less watering.

    Type of Root: even though most vegetables are shallow-rooted, you should know that shallow-rooted veggies will require more watering rather than deeply rooted veggies.

    Stage of Plant: young seedlings need to be watered frequently to thrive.

    Get to Know How often You Should Water Your Vegetable Garden

    Learn more about How to Clone a Plant with Water

    Gardening Tips To Know How Much To Water Your Vegetable Garden

    Generally, you should water your vegetable garden one to two inches per week. However, the amount of water you supply your vegetable garden will vary depending on some factors.

    Taking into account these factors will let you know how much influence they will have on your watering schedule. Also, comprehending these circumstances will make watering your vegetable garden less stressful.

    Factors to Consider When Watering Vegetable Gardens

    So below are the factors to consider when deciding on how often you water your vegetable garden:

    • Climate: your surrounding climate will determine how often you should water your vegetable garden. For instance, a hot or dry climate will need frequent watering. On the other hand, rainy seasons will require less watering. Watering lesser or more considering the climatic factor may increase the likelihood of overwatering or underwatering which will not be good for your vegetable plants.
    • Indoor Potted or Outdoor Vegetable Plants: another factor to consider when watering your vegetable plant is if you plant indoors or outdoors. Potted indoor plants will need less watering. Especially potted plants with no drainage hole as the soil in their container will hold more water. On the other hand, outdoor watering will depend on your surrounding climate

    • Quality and Type of Soil: the quality and type of soil is another factor to consider. You should also know the type of soil you have. If your soil is sandy, you will water more but not too much. While clay soil will need less watering because of its ability to hold water. Also, excellent quality soil will increase the chance of water holding capacity. A great way to enhance the quality of your soil is to apply compost or add mulch to your soil.
    • Variety or Type of Vegetable: you need to know the variety of your vegetable plants so you can determine how much watering is required. You should take into account the types of vegetables such as size, roots, etc.

    Ways of Watering Your Vegetable Garden

    Now that we’ve listed some factors to consider when watering, we can now proceed to list ways on how you should water a vegetable garden.

    • Water Deeply: water should be applied at least 5 to 6 inches into the soil. Your veggies should be watered 2 or 3 times weekly.
    • Make Use of a Drip Irrigation System: drip irrigation will allow you to set your timer and it allows you water-specific parts of your vegetable plants. You also know how much water goes into your vegetable garden. Therefore, it gives you total control of the total volume of water going into your vegetables.

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    • Water Early in the Morning: watering your vegetable plants early morning is a good thing. This way, you don’t lose water due to evaporation during the days and your plant will have the chance of absorbing adequate water. However, if you’re unable to water early morning, another good option is to water at night or late afternoon. Just make sure the sun is down when watering.
    • Hand Watering: hand watering is a slow way of releasing water. Watering your veggies with a slow stream is better than a fast stream because it will prevent water runoff in your garden.

    FAQ’s

    Should I water vegetable garden every day?

    If you are growing vegetables in your garden, it is important to remember that your soil needs moisture. Too much or too little water will affect the health of your plants and their ability to produce fruit. If you plan to grow vegetables from seed, you should also remember to water them daily. The following are some guidelines for watering your garden: Use a rain gauge. Most rain gauges have a 1 inch or 2 inch tube that you can put into a bucket of water.

    When the gauge fills up, this tells you how much water fell on your yard during the past 24 hours. Watering your yard every day, whether it rains or not, is very important. It helps prevent weeds and keeps your soil from drying out too fast. If you use a rain gauge, keep an eye on it so that you don’t over water. This could cause problems with your garden. Try to use a rain gauge that can be easily read from a distance. If you live in a hot climate, it is important to water your garden when the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Can you overwater a vegetable garden?

    Yes, you can overwater a vegetable garden. It’s a bit of an art, and I would only recommend doing it with a good reason. You should never do it to just make the vegetables grow faster. The first thing you need to know is that it’s really hard to tell when your soil is wet or dry. Most people think that it’s only a problem when the water runs off the sides of the pots, but that’s not really true.

    If your plants are growing fine in the pots but they start to rot because their roots are too wet, then you have overwatered them. If you have a very small garden and you overwater all of your plants, then you might be able to tell if it’s getting too wet or not. However, if you have a big garden and you do this, it’s really hard to know how much water you’re giving your plants. If you have vegetable garden in raised beds, you can tell whether the soil is wet or dry right away. When you first put your raised bed together, you can fill it with some good composted soil. This will help keep the soil in the raised bed from becoming too wet. You can also add some sand to the bottom of the bed to help hold the soil together. The problem with raised beds is that it’s harder to water them. This is because when the rain comes, it runs right off of the sides of the raised bed and down into the ground.

    What is the best way to water a vegetable garden?

    Watering is not always an easy task, but it is necessary for healthy plants.

    The amount of water depends on the type of plant and its age. For example, if you have young plants, you should provide more water than older ones. If you want to grow vegetables in a container, then you should add a layer of pebbles to increase the water retention.

    The best way to water is to water deeply, especially when you are growing vegetables. You can also water every day or every two days. It depends on the type of plant and the amount of time it takes for them to grow. For example, if you have tomatoes, you should water them once every three days. First, remove any weeds from around the plants. Next, add some gravel to the bottom of the container. If the container has soil, then you can add it to the container.

    Final Note

    You should also observe your vegetable plants and soil as they can let you know if you are watering them adequately.

    For instance, if you notice your vegetable leaves are wilting, it’s a sign watering is needed. Also, you can check some inches deep into the soil to feel for dryness or moisture.

    Nevertheless, how often you water your vegetable garden is really easy to do if you simply follow our outlined tips.

  • Where To Buy Fish For Aquaponics System

    Where To Buy Fish For Aquaponics System

    Aquaponics has grown quite popular these past few years as more people are venturing into it. You enjoy so many benefits from using aquaponics. If you are thinking of where to buy fish for your aquaponics, we will let you know in this post.

    As a farmer, engaging in aquaponics will yield great rewards as you will enjoy – 8 times crop production, reduction in waste, reduction in chemical use, and a whole lot of benefits.

    Fish is an important component of the aquaponics system and below are the places you can buy fish for aquaponics.

    Where To Buy Fish For Aquaponics

    You can buy aquaponics fish from the following:

    1. Fish Farm

    You can buy fish for your aquaponics at a local fish farm near you.

    Options to Buy Fish For Aquaponics

    2. Reliable Stores Online

    You can as well buy fish for your aquaponics from a reliable online store. It is absolutely possible to have a live fish transported to your doorstep. Just make sure you choose a reliable online store that has a guarantee. Also, you should make sure you’re home when your packed live fish is delivered to you. Don’t allow it to linger on your front porch.

    If you won’t be home, you can at least make available someone that will receive your live fish. This is so the live fish can be immediately put in their appropriate conditions at once for the most appropriate health conditions.

    You should also have in mind that not all fish are legal to purchase in some regions. Ensure you make adequate findings from your local fish farming laws about the type of fish you wish to buy. Make sure they are legal to purchase.

    Where you can buy fish for aquaponics:

    Some Info About Aquaponics

    Let’s take a quick look at what an aquaponics system entails. Aquaponics is the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics cultivation. To set up an aquaponics system, you will need four main components which include – a tank, a grow bed, a fish, and plants.

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    The fish in your aquaponics system contributes greatly because they will be the primary source of nutrient for your cultivated plants. The plants as well play a part in taking up waste produced by the fishes. Setting up a great and rewarding aquaponics system will require you to take into accounts some factors.

    Choosing The Best Fish For Aquaponics

    Selecting and paring the right type of fish with your vegetables is very crucial. This will ensure the success of your aquaponics setup and you will enjoy abundant yield. Below are some recommended fish you can buy for your aquaponics.

    Recommended Fish To Buy For Aquaponics

    Here are the fish we recommend you can buy for your aquaponics:

    • Tilapia: The edible tilapia is the most popular and common fish spices used especially for beginners in aquaponics. It is the most accessible fish to purchase in most parts of the world. Tilapia fish is hardy, very adaptable, and resistant to many parasites and pathogens.
    • Salmon: This is another great edible healthy fish for your aquaponics. Salmon is hardy and they can co-exist in a friendly manner with other fish. The downside is that tilapia is not so resistant to disease as other fish.
    • Koi: the attractive koi fish is an ornamental fish. Although it is not edible, it is a great fish for your aquaponics as they are resistant to parasite and disease, has a long life span, and can thrive in a wide range of temperatures.
    • Trout: trout is a very easy fish to raise in your aquaponics. They are delicious fish to eat and filled with healthy food benefits such as omega fatty acids and proteins.

    FAQ’s

    What is the best fish to use for aquaponics?

    Tilapia is the best fish recommended for this purpose. In aquaponics the primary concern is that the fish don’t eat each other. So, the more “aggressive” the fish, the better. But this isn’t always the case, because there are some fish that will attack a larger fish in order to defend their territory.
    The system will be used as a food source and also for keeping frogs. The water will be kept at 75 degrees. Aquaponic systems are really quite simple. They consist of two main parts:.the grower (fish) and the filter (composting). The grower is fed organic waste, and the waste from the fish is collected in a container and is then composted. Fish can eat the waste from the system and do not need to be cleaned.

    What are some advantages of aquaponics?

    Aquaponics is a system where a combination of fish and plants are grown together. The plants provide the nutrients that the fish need, and the fish clean the water for the plants. Aquaponic systems are very simple to build and maintain, and require little maintenance. They are also very low cost compared to other methods of growing fish and plants together.
    This means that you can have a system with fish, and use the same tank for the plants. Fish do not have to be separated from plants to grow them together. You can keep your plants and fish in the same container, and the fish will clean the water for your plants. You can feed your plants using the fish waste. The fish waste contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are needed by the plants. When the plants are finished, you can harvest the plants and use them as fertilizer for your garden. You can use the fish waste to fertilize your plants. If you have a pond, you can use it to grow your plants.

    How big of a tank do you need for aquaponics?

    I would recommend at least 50 gallons.
    If you are new to aquaponics, you will most likely start out with a smaller system. The first thing to think about is your available space and the amount of food you would like to grow in your system. There are several different sized tanks that will work for you depending on how much food you want to grow and what size of fish you have.

    Aquaponic systems are the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics (a type of indoor farming). The aquaculture part is harvesting fish, like tilapia, in a tank. The fish poop out nutrients that the plants can absorb. The hydroponics part is growing plants in water, without soil. They get their nutrients from the water.
    The system combines both systems, so you have the benefits of each. It’s a win-win. In an aquaponic system, the fish poop out the nutrients, which then gets absorbed by the plants. 

    Final Note

    Buying and selecting the appropriate fish for your aquaponics is crucial for the success of your aquaponics. With aquaponics, you get to farm smarter as your plants grow faster and in plenty!

    Another thing to note is that it’s important to maintain a clean and healthy environment for the aquaponics system. This way, your fish and plants get a chance to thrive and you reduce the risk of any diseases that can infect both your fish and plants.

    We recommend you select fish that can flourish in your location and climate. Supply and feed your fish with the appropriate foods for both the health of your fish and plants and also for your consumption.

  • Aloe Vera Stem Too Long? How To Fix It

    Aloe Vera Stem Too Long? How To Fix It

    Now, you might have an Aloe Vera poking out of its soil because the stem is pretty tall. If you are concerned that your Aloe Vera stem is too long, we will tell you what to do.

    Aloe vera plants are great for succulents both indoors and outdoors. They do well in containers, although you can also plant them directly into the soil.

    As your Aloe Vera plant grows more prominent, you might have to report one way or the other. You might even face the situation of a stem that is too long, and you might wonder what you can do. We will give you some steps on solving an Aloe Vera Stem too long, so let’s begin.

    What to Do if your Aloe Vera Stem too Long

    When your aloe vera stem becomes too heavy and long, it might begin to tip over. Even supporting it with a stick to help it stand upright might not work because it might be too heavy. There are a couple of things you can do to solve these issues.

    1.    Repotting Leggy Aloe Vera

    For a small potted that the Aloe Vera plant stem too long and shoots out below, you can simply add more soil to fill the pot. You can opt for this if you don’t want to repot. However, doing this will make your soil full to the brim. This can cause the soil to splash over when you water or when it rains.

    What to Do if your Aloe Vera Stem is too Long

    You can simply repot. We will teach you two ways to repot your aloe vera plants when the stems get too long.

    Method One – This method is for a small Aloe Vera plant.

    • The first step in repotting your aloe vera plant is to remove it from its container and expose the soil.
    • Gently take out all the soil.
    • Next, cut the roots you see coming out of the base as you remove the soil.
    • Place it back into the container (you can either use a new or the same old container).
    • Now, fill up the container with fresh soil. Never use the old soil.

    Method Two—This other method is for medium-sized and bigger-sized aloe vera plants. It is also less disturbing to the root of your aloe vera plant.

    • Get a plastic container and make a big single round hole for drainage at the base of the plastic container. Ensure the hole at the base of the container is bigger than the stem size of your Aloe Vera plant. Now cut or slit the plastic container straight down at the side down to the bottom of the container drainage hole.
    • Make some holes, some little holes side by side, at the side where you slit the plastic container straight down. This tiny hole allows you to thread and seal the pot back after you are done repotting.
    • Now, take the cut container and wrap it around the bigger-sized potted Aloe Vera plant. Fit it on top of the more giant potted Aloe Vera plant and allow it to sit. Then, you can begin to thread upwards the cut holes you punctured so the plastic container can stay well.
    • When you are done threading the second container, fill it with soil. Nurture this structured aloe vera for about a month. After a month, the aloe vera plant will have developed adequate roots to support the upper container. You can now proceed to cut off and remove the second lower pot.

     

     

    2.    Repot Deeper

    Another method of repotting deeper is simply obtaining a deeper pot with some compost grains. The deeper pot will accommodate the length of the aloe vera stem. Fill up and bury your aloe vera plant with soil up to the first two or three leaves, depending on the length of your plant.

    You can cut off some leaves below the plant stem to bury the stem deeper into the pot.

    3.    Cut and Repot

    You can cut some parts of your Aloe Vera stem with a sharp knife and repot. Before repotting, allow the cut stem to dry out. It would be best if you also cut off or remove the lowest two leaves because when you bury your Aloe Vera plant, they will eventually rot off.

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    How Long Are Aloe Plant Roots?

    Aloe Veras have a shallow root system. They don’t need deep soil. You can plant your Aloe Vera in pots with a depth of 17 inches or more.

    A wide container will work best. While these succulents don’t have deep roots, their roots grow outward. If you want a large aloe vera, you should plant it in a big pot.

    How Long Do Aloe Vera Plants Grow?

    Aloe Veras develop new leaves every 1 to 2 weeks. Under the right conditions, you’ll see growth every month. It will take about 4 years to reach maturity if your plant is just starting.

    Indoor Aloe Vera plants typically reach leaf lengths of 12 to 24 inches. Those grown outdoors in optimal light, soil, and moisture conditions can reach lengths averaging 3 feet!

    How Long Can an Aloe Plant Live Out of Soil?

    An Aloe plant is extremely tough. While opinions on how long it can live out of soil differ, these plants are known to grow without ground. Aloe Veras do well when grown hydroponically in pebbles and water.

    If you remove your Aloe Vera from the ground, most gardeners agree that it’ll live 1 – 2 days at room temperature before going bad. In more ideal temperatures, cutting can survive for weeks. One gardener claimed his Aloe cutting made it for almost a year!

    If you keep your Aloe Vera cuttings moist and ensure it gets sunlight, they’ll live. Many people grow them indoors without soil. This succulent has many purposes. Growing them hydroponically can enhance their quality.

    What Can I Do With Aloe Vera Stems?

    Aloe Vera stems have multiple uses. You can use the gel inside them to tackle various health issues. It’s also an excellent ingredient in beauty routines. Simply cut the leaves open and scoop the gel out with a spoon.

    You can use the gel on skin irritations or burn wounds. It works great for bug bites and sunburn too. If you keep the gel in your fridge, it’ll be soothing and cool when you apply it.

    The gel inside an Aloe Vera stem can make your hair feel more moisturized. Massage the gel into your hair and scalp once a month (or more) and let it sit for an hour. After you’ve rinsed your hair, it’ll feel much better! You can also make a face mask or apply the gel inside the Aloe Vera stem to your feet.

    Some people eat the Aloe Vera stems. The outer skin and gel inside are safe to consume. Ensure you thoroughly wash the skin before eating it. You can cook the Aloe Vera stems in boiling water to soften them or eat them raw.

    How Long Should I Leave Aloe Vera In Water?

    Aloe Vera is a drought-resistant succulent. You should never let it soak in water. This could lead to root rot and dying plants.

    You can keep cutting from your Aloe Vera plant without water for a day. If you plan to eat the cuttings, leave them in water for 10 – 20 minutes beforehand.

    Aloe Vera with too Long Stem Final Note

    After you have finished repotting, don’t water immediately. Wait a couple of days before watering. Allow the newly transplanted Aloe Vera to settle down in its container. This way, your plant will recover well from the stress transplanting.


    FAQ’s Aloe Vera Stem Too Long


    What do I do if my aloe plant is too tall?


    If your aloe vera plant is too tall,

    Repot it in a bigger pot. When aloe plants start to divulge or protrude outside their container, you can also cut or trim down the size by removing the protruding leaves. 


    Use a sharp knife to trim the aloe plant in two portions and replant the upper portion. Don’t worry; doing this won’t harm your aloe plant. They will grow back better than before. 


    You should also know that one of the many reasons your aloe plant is growing tall is that it might not get adequate light. Therefore, indoor aloe plants will mostly grow tall because they have to reach out to light by growing tall and leggy. So, to avoid this, ensure you supply your indoor aloe plant with good sunlight or you can

    feed them with grow light. 


    How do you grow aloe vera leaves thicker?

    You can grow aloe vera leaves thicker by simply supplying them with a good amount of sunlight. Your aloe vera leaves might not grow thicker because they aren’t getting much sunlight. 
    Another thing you can do to make your aloe vera plant thicker is to ensure the pot you are using is not too big for the size of the aloe plant. The pot must also be tight. All succulents love to be pot-bound in a tight spot. 

    Can you regrow aloe from a leaf?

    You can regrow aloe from a leaf. However, the best form of aloe propagation is from its pups or offsets, offering you a faster yield. 
    Do the following to grow an aloe leaf:

    Get a pot, preferably a terracotta pot. Add your potting soil mix and lay the cut aloe vera leaf flat on the soil. 
    Push the leaf into the soil just a bit. Allow some parts to be exposed so they can get sunlight. 
    Water your aloe vera leaf and soil. Water the soil when it gets dry to prevent it from drying out.
    You should begin to notice some sprouting after a few weeks. 

    Should you trim aloe plants?

    It is advisable to trim your aloe plant when it is fully and bountifully grown. Trimming your fully grown aloe plant will help remove impaired and unnecessary parts and

    encourage healthy aloe growth. 

    When trimming your aloe plants, always address the damaged leaves that are brown, dried, or dead. Always aim to trim a whole leaf at a time and refrain from cutting the leaves in half. After taking care of the bad leaves, you can then proceed to trim healthy leaves so your aloe plant can fit into the pot. 

    When should you repot an aloe plant?

    You should repot an aloe plant when they grow bigger and outgrow the pot they are in. Also, repot your aloe plant when they begin to grow pups. Using the root ball size, obtain a new pot that 2 or 3 times bigger than the root. 

  • Where To Buy Compost Tea And How To Apply It

    Where To Buy Compost Tea And How To Apply It

    There are lots of benefits to using compost tea in your garden. If you are wondering where to buy compost tea we have an answer for you here. We will let you know where you can buy compost tea and what your plants stand to benefit from it.

    Compost tea is a blend of organic matter that will improve your soil with regard to appropriate soil wellness. Feeding your garden with compost tea is great. It will support plant growth and supply your plants with adequate nutrients.

    What is Compost Tea

    Compost tea is a mixture of liquid nutrients and beneficial, oxygen-loving microbes found in finished compost. These beneficial microorganisms include fungi, protozoa, nematodes, bacteria, and arthropods. The beneficial microbes are extracted from compost by the means of a brewing procedure. Accurate compost tea will consist of all the microorganisms present prior to brewing.

    Read more about Compost Tea Feeding Schedule 

    Where to Buy Compost Tea

    One place you can buy compost tea is in the stores. They are usually sold in powder form. They can be purchased in manufacturing industries and farms. You can also find them in big box stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Walmart, etc.

    You can also try some independent nurseries or garden centers. Compost tea can as well be bought online.

    Another good option if you are willing to go through the stress is to make compost tea yourself. We have outlined below how you can prepare compost tea.

    In any of these outlets listed above, they are usually sold in any of these three forms:

    • The powder which is soluble needs to be mixed with water.
    • Teabags (needs to be steeped in water).
    • Liquid concentrate (needs to be diluted in water).

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    How to Make Compost Tea, DIY

    Preparing compost tea can be a bit messy but it’s quite simple to make. It will even be easier if you already make your own composting or vermicomposting.

    First is to get matured compost and put about 5 handfuls of compost in a 5-gallon bucket. Now fill it up with water. Important note before using your water is to allow the water to sit for about 24 hours. In case you use chlorinated water, it will evaporate out. You don’t want to kill all the helpful bacteria and microbes.

    You can now use a stick to mix or stir if you don’t want to use a bubbler. As you mix up your compost tea, you unlock all the water-soluble nutrients. Then allow the mixture to sit for about 24 to 48 hours so they can get strong and nutritious for your plants.

    You can stir again after a couple of hours like in the morning and evening. This way it can get some nice aeration.

    Now your compost tea should be ready in a day or two and you can go ahead and apply them. You can use a watering can, spray bottle, or pump spray for application. You can also deliver it to the base of your plant as a soil drench for deeper penetration.

    Applying Compost Tea Correctly

    Compost tea should be applied on cool and clear days with temperatures above freezing and below 80 degrees Fahrenheit. So apply them early morning or late evening. Never apply during the day with too much heat so you don’t kill all the beneficial microbes. Plants that will mostly benefit from compost tea applications are flowers, fruits, and vegetables.

    Applying Compost Tea Correctly

    Compost tea applications during the transplanting period will boost your plant defense mechanism against pathogens and pest disease. It can as well be applied to seedlings or plants that are established at their growing seasons.

    Benefits of Using Compost Tea

    Your garden will enjoy lots of benefits from compost tea. Therefore, these benefits include:

    • Compost tea comprises of higher concentration of helpful microorganisms. They will improve the protection mechanism of your plants against any form of disease, pest as well as erosion.
    • It is natural organic plant food. On the contrary to synthetic fertilizers containing chemicals that can harm the plant ecosystem or cause fertilizer burns.
    • Compost tea will boost the capacity of your soil to retain water.
    • It can be used directly on plant leaves as well as soil, unlike solid compost that can only be applied to the soil.
    Benefits of Using Compost Tea

    FAQ’s

    What makes good compost tea?

    Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer made from the decomposition of organic matter in the form of compost. You can collect organic matter from your home, such as food scraps, leaves, coffee grounds, grass clippings, eggshells, and wood. It’s also a good idea to collect materials from outside, such as grass clippings, weeds, and leaves.

    Compost tea is a natural, organic way to get rid of unwanted garden pests. It is made by adding a small amount of compost to water and letting it sit for about two weeks. Compost tea is an environmentally friendly way to get rid of garden pests. It does not contain any pesticides and is safe for people and animals to drink. 

    What kinds of nutrients should it contain?

    It contains nutrients that are essential for plant growth, including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and trace elements like calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, boron, molybdenum, manganese, and sulfur.

    How do I use compost tea?

    Compost tea is a simple and easy way to add nutrients back into your garden soil. Compost tea can be used for everything from fertilizing to keeping plants healthy. To make compost tea, mix one part compost with three parts water. This mixture should be stirred or shaken until it is well combined. You can also use a spray bottle to apply the compost tea directly to the soil in your garden.

    When you use compost tea in your garden, make sure that it is diluted properly. This will prevent the tea from running off your plants and causing problems. You can dilute compost tea by adding five times as much water as compost to the mixture. For example, if you mix one cup of compost with five cups of water, the mixture will have a 5:1 ratio. If you have a spray bottle, this will be even easier.

    You can also use compost tea for indoor plants. Make sure to dilute the compost tea enough so that the solution does not burn your plants. You can use one part compost to three parts water in the case of indoor plants. If you do this, you will need to spray the plants regularly, but it will still be a good alternative to using commercial fertilizers. Compost tea is a great way to improve the health of your garden soil.

    It can be applied to your garden or lawn by mixing it with water at a ratio of 1 part tea to 5 parts water.

    Additional Note

    You can water your plants with compost tea about once a week. Therefore, apply and water your plant with compost tea as often as you want. They will never burn your plants and they will generate adequate nutrients for your plant growth.

    You can water your established fruits or vegetables directly with compost tea. No need to be disturbed about introducing toxins to your diet because compost tea is completely organic and safe.

  • How Long Do Succulents Take To Grow From Seeds?

    How Long Do Succulents Take To Grow From Seeds?

    Succulent are lovely plants with various colors and shapes. They are easy to maintain and they are awesome for decorating your home. It won’t be a bad idea if you tried an experiment growing succulents from seeds. Now, you might also want to know how long succulents take to grow from seeds. We will cover that in this guide.

    Growing succulents from seeds are exciting and pretty rewarding. You just need to have a little patience. With so many varieties of succulents, you get to experiment with various combinations with just a little amount of money.

    How Long Do Succulents Grow From Seeds

    There are some things to consider to determine how long succulents take to grow from seeds and they include:

    • Variety of seeds: how long succulents take to grow from seeds will depend on different varieties of the seeds obtained.
    • Germination period: each variety has its germination periods. Therefore make sure you are aware of the germination period before you purchase your seeds.
    • Temperature and sunlight: also, temperature and sunlight will determine how long your succulents take to grow from seeds.

    Depending on all these criteria listed, the period succulents may take to grow from seeds can be about 3 days to a few weeks. Others might even take as much as months to a year to grow.

    Therefore, it is essential you make some inquiries before purchasing your seeds. This way you can plan and look forward to the growing time: the reason being that you have to plan during the growing period. You have to monitor your plant closely to check the moisture, weather, and so on.

    Also, this will prevent you from taking them out from the soil too early to transplant if you are growing outdoors. If you choose a good variety and keep the conditions germination clean, you will start to notice the leaves making an appearance (sprouts).

    Easy Succulents Varieties To Grow From Seeds and Their Growing Period

    Here are a few examples of the easy varieties of succulents to grow and their growing period:

    1. Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is one of the most popular and loved succulents. The seeds of Aloe Vera do sprout easily all you need is a clean and well-draining medium. You can grow them in a container indoors by creating controlled surroundings for your seedlings. You can also grow them outdoors if you live in a warm environment. Depending on the varieties you choose, it may take about 2 to 4 weeks for sprouting to emerge.

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    2. Jade: jade which is grown as a houseplant hardly flowers. However, when planted on the ground, you might be lucky to see a bloom of pink flowers during spring. The best time to sow your jade seed is during spring or summer. It can grow about 3 to 6 inches. Jade plants are slow growers and they can grow as slow as two inches in a year.

    3. Echeveria: it can take about 2 or 3 weeks for the seeds of echeveria to start emerging. However, they can also take months to germinate depending on the variety. So, in case you don’t notice any sprout immediately, no worries. Have some patience, it does take time. If you using a container, their seedlings can stay along time in the container until you’re ready to repot. You can transplant the seedlings to their containers once you notice about 3 or 5 growths of true leaves.

    4. Sedum: with the right conditions, the sedum succulent can take about 2 weeks to 4 weeks for germination to occur. The best period to sow sedum seed is in spring or summer. Once the seedlings have germinated enough, you can proceed to transplant them into individual pots.

    FAQ’s

    How do you grow succulents from seeds?

    Seeds are the most common method of propagation for succulents, and it is a very simple and rewarding process.
    Here’s the basic process: Take a small amount of seed, moisten it with water, and plant it in soil.
    You can germinate seeds indoors. They should be kept in a warm, dark place like a cupboard or closet with the door closed. If you have a windowsill with adequate light, it’s not necessary to keep the seeds in the dark.

    Succulents are plants that store water in their leaves, stems, or roots. The word “succulent” comes from Latin, meaning “sucking” or “gurgling”. The most common succulents are cacti and succulents, which are easily distinguished by the spiny nature of the plants. Cacti have spikes of spines, whereas succulents tend to have soft, fleshy leaves with a waxy coating. Some succulents have an “umbrella”-like growth pattern with multiple layers of leaves. There are many different types of succulents.

    How long does it take for succulents to fully grow?

    They should be growing very fast. It varies depending on the variety of course. For example, the one I use most often is called “Thea” and it is a medium sized plant. It is about 6 inches in height. You can expect it to grow at least 3-4 inches per month. That’s why I would recommend starting with smaller plants. They grow much faster.

    There’s no way to guarantee that your plants will grow faster, but there are some things you can do to help.
    Some common mistakes when growing succulents: not getting enough light, not watering often enough and planting the wrong type of succulent

    How do you grow succulents successfully?

    Evergreen succulents are very easy to grow. They require little water and are hardy plants. They are available in various sizes and sizes. They can be easily grown indoors or outdoors. Succulents are very popular among indoor gardeners because they are easy to grow and require little maintenance. They can survive in different conditions. Succulents can be divided into two groups: evergreen and deciduous. Evergreen succulents don’t lose their leaves even if they are cut off. On the other hand, deciduous succulents lose their leaves if they are cut off. You need to know which type of succulent you want to grow before starting your garden.

    If you want to grow succulents, you should first think about your climate. If you live in a cold country, you should choose cacti, aloe vera and agaves. If you live in a warm country, you should choose succulents that prefer warm climates. For example, if you want to grow aloe vera, you need to use a very different technique than if you want to grow aeonium or agave. You should also know that different types of succulents need different temperatures. Aloe vera and agave need temperatures between 18°C and 22°C during the day and between 15°C and 18°C at night. Succulents that are hardy plants don’t lose their leaves even if they are cut off.

    Succulent Seeds Additional Information

    All your succulent seeds will grow in the appropriate conditions. Bear in mind as you germinate succulent seeds; ensure you keep a sterile medium or soil mix to prevent your baby plants from diseases and death. The medium can be sterilized by microwaving it for about 3 minutes or so.

    Succulent Seeds Additional Information

    If you are making use of containers to grow your succulent seeds, they need to be sterilized also. The containers can be sterilized by cleaning them with alcohol or simply washing it with boiling water.

    Also, when your succulents are ready to be potted individually or changed into a bigger pot, ensure you do so gently. Succulents are pretty tender and they need to be handled delicately. You wouldn’t want to jeopardize and injure your succulents after all the hard work you must have put into them.

  • Maggots In Compost Good Or Bad?

    Maggots In Compost Good Or Bad?

    So let’s talk about maggot in your compost. You might be the one that freaks out when you see maggot in your compost. But they are not so bad and they can’t hurt you.

    Actually, they are pretty useful in breaking down waste in your compost pile. They will even make decomposition faster and they will help in recycling nutrients back into the soil.

    What is a Compost Maggot?

    Compost maggots are actually the black soldier fly larvae. Black soldier fly (BSF) are simply normal housefly. When these flies settle on your compost, they lay their eggs and result in larvae (maggot). The maggot may be white, grayish, or brownish and segmented depending on what your compost consists of.

    What Is A Compost Maggot

    The segmented maggots are as long as one inch to one and a half inch. The maggots are born from black soldier fly eggs right into the food waste especially in conditions that are damp. They feed on the nitrogen-dominant decaying matter such as scraps from your kitchen and manures.

    Black soldier flies do well in a warm environment with a temperature of about 80 to 90 degrees. However, when the temperature reaches above 100 degrees, they will lose their strength and die off.

    The Usefulness of Maggot in Your Compost

    Those tiny black soldier flies which are maggots are like devouring beasts. They can consume a huge amount of food scrapes faster than you can imagine. Thus, they will make the decomposition of your compost fast. And if you are concerned they might show up in your home, not too worry. That won’t happen only if you place your compost pile is close to your window.

    In the southern part of the United States, these maggots are been used to decrease hog manure. This is because they are capable of consuming as much as 30 tons of hog manure in just two days.

    So, you can even place your compost outdoor far away from your house, and not worry about getting rid of them for a long time. The mission is to reduce waste!

    Matter of fact, some farmers go ahead and cultivate these black soldier larvae and sell them to pet stores. They are very high in protein and are excellent foods for birds, lizards, and even fish.

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    Eliminating Maggot in Your Compost Bin

    As we have mentioned earlier, maggot in your compost is beneficial. However, if you can’t stand them and you want to get rid of them. You can do the following:

    • Add Dry Material into your Compost: because these maggots thrive in damp environments, adding dry materials such as browns will prevent them from emerging. Add dry materials such as dry grass, dry leaves, shredded papers, and cardboards and cover them at least two to four inches. This will create a dryer environment and also cover the nitrogen food source. This is because it is this exposed nitrogen food materials the female soldier loves to lay their eggs on.
    • Bury Food Scraps: if it is a compost bin or a worm bin you have, bury the food scrap right at the bottom (at least 6 inches) of the pile. Also, ensure they are well covered.

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    • Reduce Flies by Covering Holes with Window Screen: if you are able to prevent flies from entering your compost, they won’t lay eggs and you will have no maggots. Therefore, cover every hole with a window screen and hold it down with a waterproof filter or seal.
    • Apply Lime to your Compost: you can add lime to your compost to deter these black fly larvae. However, adding lime to your compost can interfere with the pH. It can make the pH too high when it’s done composting. Even though lime also helps in the breakdown of compost, it is usually not needed. But you can add lime if your compost is acidic so as to make your compost slightly alkaline. Also, the amount of lime added should not exceed one cup per 25 material feet.

    In the end, these maggots in your compost will die and their bodies will decompose. They will in the due process leave behind thick and rich components for your soil use.

    FAQ’s

    Do maggots ruin compost?

    Maggots are not bad for compost and you can use them if you would like. They eat dead plant matter and help break down the material. I have had my compost pile for a few months and the compost is still active. However, if you notice any maggots around your compost pile, then there is too much moisture or your pile is too big. I just found out that maggots can also be used to control pests in soil. They are most commonly used as a biological pest control agent (BPCA) for termite management. I did not know this until recently.

    Are maggots good for compost?

    Maggots are tiny fly larvae that feed on organic matter such as decaying animal flesh, plant material and manure. They are commonly used in agriculture as a natural means of pest control.

    They can be used as a natural insecticide and they will eat most types of pests.

    Benefits of using maggots in the garden

    They help to break down organic matter: Maggots eat all kinds of waste, including plant material and manure. They are especially useful when breaking down manure, which may not be able to decompose on its own. If you use compost that has been left too long, you can add maggots to help break it down. This is especially useful if you have a lot of manure to deal with, as the larvae can eat large amounts of manure in just a few weeks. They are also useful for gardeners who have a lot of manure or waste to dispose of. You can use maggots to help break down manure and other organic matter.

    They eat all kinds of waste: Maggots can eat anything from food scraps to leaves to fruit husks. This makes them useful for gardeners who have a wide variety of waste that they need to get rid of.

    In fact, they’re so versatile that you may find yourself using them in more than one way. For example, you could use them to get rid of waste in your garden while also making fertilizer.

    They’re also useful when it comes to breaking down manure and other organic waste: When they’re ready to pupate, maggots will leave the waste behind. The pupae will then hatch into adult flies. This is how they turn your organic waste into compost. It is very important to know when the larvae are ready to pupate. This is where you will have to pay close attention to their development.

    You can help maggots to break down manure: If you have a lot of manure that you want to get rid of, you can use maggots to help break it down. You can either add them directly to the manure or place them in a bin with the manure.

    You can also use them to help break down other organic matter: If you’re dealing with waste that is hard to break down on its own, you can use maggots to help. You can either place the waste directly into a bin with the maggots or you can place them in a container with the waste and then bury it. This helps to break down the waste and to make fertilizer out of it.

    Maggots can be used in many ways: Maggots are versatile. They can be used in a variety of ways. One way that you can use maggots is to help you to get rid of waste. You can either place the waste directly into a bin with the maggots or you can place them in a container with the waste and then bury it.

    You can also use them to help break down manure and other organic matter: When they’re ready to pupate, maggots will leave the waste behind. The pupae will then hatch into adult flies.

    How do I get rid of maggots in my compost bin?

    I have a big pile of compost that’s ready to be turned. It has been sitting for a month or so. I noticed maggots in the pile and now I’m seeing them in the garden too. The compost is not sitting on top of soil but it is sitting on the ground with a little dirt underneath it. I don’t know how to get rid of them. What can I do? A:

    You should take a shovel and remove all the compost. Remove all the dirt and replace it with fresh dirt. This will help to kill the larvae.

    If the larvae are still active, you can mix the compost with other dirt and replace the dirt with fresh dirt. This will help to kill the larvae.

    You can use a light bulb to kill the larvae.

    You can wait and see if they die on their own.

    This should be done right away so that they do not contaminate the soil underneath. Maggots are not harmful to your plants but they are bad for your compost. They eat the compost and they cause the compost to become smelly.

    Conclusion

    Maggot might be disgusting and gross to behold. But you should consider the good they do to your compost. Think of it, you put a big pound of waste in your bin. A couple of hours later, the waste has reduced drastically.

    After the black soldier larvae are done with your compost pile, they will crawl out and vanish. During this process, they can become food to birds and other little animals.