Last Updated on September 8, 2024 by Sara Rose
Everybody knows the popular spice of wasabi leaves. So why not grow them in your aquaponics? This article is your perfect guide to growing wasabi in aquaponics.
Wasabi is traditionally used to make a paste which is eaten with sushi. This paste starts from the wasabi plant stem. If it is not processed into a paste, it makes a tasty green that can be added to any meal.
Wasabi is easy to grow and very giving. This makes it a great plant choice for aquaponics beginners. You almost can’t mess it up!
If you are ready to learn about growing wasabi in aquaponics, keep reading. We will tell you all you need to know.
Table of Contents
All About The Wasabi Plant
The Wasabi plant has its origins in the mountains of Japan. Its name is called Wasabi Japonica and it belongs to the brassica family.
The Brassica Plant family includes some popular kitchen favorites such as arugula, kale, and cabbage. According to Washington State University, it is often grown for its very dense and large root-like stem. It is usually 6- 12 inches long and has a diameter between 2-4 inches.
Wasabi is a perennial plant. This means that it continues to produce year after year. Perennials are excellent additions to your garden because you do not have to keep planting after each harvest.
This is opposed to annual plants, which only give you one harvest before producing seeds and dying off. As mentioned before, you can also eat the leaves of the wasabi plant. They have a mustard-like taste with a strong bite at the end.
If you allow your wasabi to go into seed it is very giving. In fact, you can also use the seeds in the same way you would use mustard seed.
Secondly, there are numerous benefits to eating wasabi. Some of those include helping with respiratory issues, increasing blood flow, and balancing your cholesterol.
If you are interested in growing wasabi in your aquaponics system, you can easily purchase seeds from a gardening shop. Starting from seed is probably the easiest way to do it because it typically has a high success rate.
You can start the seeds outside of your aquaponics grow bed and then transplant them into your system once they grow their second set of true leaves. This means that you will see a second set of leaves forming after the first leaves bloom.
Make shallow rows with your finger. These rows should only be twice the size of the seed in depth. Wasabi seeds are very small, so you do not have to plant them very deeply.
Cover them with soil and keep them moist until you see sprouts emerging.
Read more about How To Lower Ph In Aquaponics System?
Tips To Grow Wasabi Indoors
Once your sprouts emerge, you can carefully put them into your aquaponics grow bed. Wasabi does best in cool and moist temperatures. In fact, it does not require too much direct sunlight.
This is why wasabi is a great plant to grow indoors where there isn’t a lot of sun available. It is considered a partial- sun plant. All plants need at least some sun to grow, so make sure it is not in a location without any light.
Space your seedlings about 12 inches apart. This spacing will ensure that your plants can grow to full size. If you are growing the plant for the root and leaves will affect how long you let your plant grow.
When you only want to eat the leaves, you can harvest on a daily basis. As mentioned before, wasabi is a very giving plant. Keep the right sunlight and moisture, and you will have greens in no time!
The optimum temperature is between 45-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind, this plant is traditionally grown in the mountains of Japan. If you simulate their natural environment, you have a higher chance of success.
Keep your soil PH between 6-7. You can test PH levels using store-bought test kits. Check your PH levels every other week to be safe.
In aquaponics, the type of fish that you raise affects the tank water temperature. Make sure to keep in mind the types of fish you raise and the plants that you grow.
In this case, wasabi likes cooler temperatures. So, if you have fish that need warm water, it is not suitable to pair with wasabi. The warm water will enter the soil and increase the temperature.
As a good rule of thumb, do not grow wasabi if you want to raise tropical fish!
How To Grow Wasabi Hydroponically
If you do not want to use a soil medium to grow wasabi, you can do it hydroponically. This means that the roots of the wasabi grow directly into the water. All the nutrients will be absorbed from the water.
The water from your fish tank will provide the water for your hydroponics. If you choose this root, you will need some kind of board to support the plants to float above the water.
Remember, if you let your plants fall into the water, they will die. Only the roots should be soaking in the water.
Wasabi grows well in hydroponics. We consider it an excellent choice for any setting.
Growing wasabi in aquaponics is very fun and rewarding. There are many different varieties of wasabi, so pay attention to which one you choose.
For the most part, they have similar characteristics. But, it’s always best to know the exact variety you are working with to create optimum conditions.
As long as you keep a balanced environment in your fish tank and your soil, wasabi should thrive. It is possible that you have some invasions of pests. Some of the more common pests which are attracted to wasabi are aphids and slugs.
If this happens, you can choose to remove the bugs by hand or create a natural pesticide to keep them in check. Overall, growing wasabi in aquaponics is pretty easy. The most important thing to pay attention to is the temperature.
As long as you have that mastered, you will be successful! Feel free to comment and ask questions below.
Find more information The Amazing Way How To Grow Hydroponics In A Fish Tank
