Making Lemonade [Selective Culling Project - very long term]

[U_Stormcrow]

Do you have tomatoes growing now?
What kind?

Nope. Have had a few plants grow successfully in past years, but poor yields and big bug problems in the past (leaf footed bugs, mostly and something that bored into a few of the under ripe fruits that I never identified - but mostly the leaf footed bugs ruining the fruits.)

Variety? Romas. San Marzano. Other thin skinned grape or plum varieties - but no "purple" or "black" cultivars. They have an odd aftertaste I don't at all care for, though I understand some like it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Aquaculture can be fun once you get the right setup. And tomatoes are my favorite too!! I could live on tomatoes if I could grow enough where I am currently. lol!

I've done aquaculture with tilapia, as well as ornamental aquarium-trade fish like guppies, white clouds, and koi. Haven't been in it for years on a proper scale, but do hope to get back into it at some point!

no Tilapia here for aquaculture. State won't permit it. Would have been my first choice otherwise.

Well, maybe because I'm on a hill, a good bit from any water source, if I was doing it inside a room or building (like say, a green house) with no flooding risk (the hill), and periodic inspections. I've been in contact with the state about it - but they haven't issued such a permit to a private individual in some time - even the lady at the state agency I wrote about it didn't get that approval while they were doing an aquaculture example project - inside a building.

 

[Fowl-Mouth]

no Tilapia here for aquaculture. State won't permit it. Would have been my first choice otherwise.

Well, maybe because I'm on a hill, a good bit from any water source, if I was doing it inside a room or building (like say, a green house) with no flooding risk (the hill), and periodic inspections. I've been in contact with the state about it - but they haven't issued such a permit to a private individual in some time - even the lady at the state agency I wrote about it didn't get that approval while they were doing an aquaculture example project - inside a building.

Aah that's unfortunate. Tilapia are normally the first choice for a lot of folks, but I have a friend in Alaska where Tilapia are also a no-no, have heard they are banned in Utah and Louisiana too, but had no clue they were also banned in Florida.

Yellow/silver/gold perch, trout, carp, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and salmon might be alternatives to consider (if you plan to eat them) depending on your state laws.

For ornamental non-edible stuff, guppies, goldfish, koi, comets, pacu, white cloud, pretty much any livebearers, and all-female sororities of bettas do exceptionally well in large community groups.

I used to use 960 gallon stock tanks for my setups years ago. I wish I still had pictures. Some were just straight aquaculture, some were aquaponics. Some were used with turtles (not food-turtles, just pets/rescues), and one was full of crayfish (which I do not recommend...).

If/When I get back into it again, I am going MUCH smaller scale. 1 or 2 tubs max for me, and not the 960s again. Nicely organized big systems are so impressive though. I drool on pictures now and then, but that's as far as I'll go. lol

Ok, I'll stop hijacking your thread now.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Hijack away. but do it here - since its not culling project. I was thinking of lining up some IBC totes and a lot of PVC. Totes for the fish, flood and dump grow beds. I have a very nice sketch up somewhere.

 

[NanaK]

Nope. Have had a few plants grow successfully in past years, but poor yields and big bug problems in the past (leaf footed bugs, mostly and something that bored into a few of the under ripe fruits that I never identified - but mostly the leaf footed bugs ruining the fruits.)

Variety? Romas. San Marzano. Other thin skinned grape or plum varieties - but no "purple" or "black" cultivars. They have an odd aftertaste I don't at all care for, though I understand some like it.

Was just curious if you had any growing this year.

Like anything else, you just have to keep at it. You'll get it sooner or later. Leaf-footed and stink bugs do damage the fruit. I use a lot of soapy water spray. Helps but doesn't stop them.

Nematodes invaded some areas of my garden and tried to decimate the plants a couple years ago. Started planting more French marigolds and it has made such a difference.

As for the black toms, I've grown several types. Really disliked Cherokee Purple and Black from Tula and I think Purple Prince. Was about to give up on them but found Black Krim. It has a real twang to it we like but it is very different from Roma and San Marzano. We do like Amish Paste and Anna Russian. So did the nematodes. May go back to it next year along with the Krims.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Five weeks. Best of the batch, in terms of color and pattern.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

More crimson than desired. Not Patterned as desired. And yet, this might actually work on my property (which is the ultimate goal, regardless of pattern).

 

[U_Stormcrow]

The darkest two birds are just getting darker - so one stays on the cull list, one is added to it. Lightest bird is showing some markings, were I expected essentially none, so it comes off the cull list.

12 in the incubator, candled two days ago, progressing fine-ish. Questioning a couple, but because I filled the incubator over three days, its hard to judge if one is quit, as opposed to simply behind. All formed veining and distinct eye spots. Will look again Sunday.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

More crimson than desired. Not Patterned as desired. And yet, this might actually work on my property (which is the ultimate goal, regardless of pattern).

View attachment 3862569

I guess worst case scenario, the pattern fails and something snags it, in which case it's only helping your project

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I guess worst case scenario, the pattern fails and something snags it, in which case it's only helping your project

That is both remarkably pragmatic and remarkably accurate.


Which is why this is a culling project, not a breeding project.