Update: Mentha Piperita Clones Are Starting to Flower!

Exciting news from VertiCairo: the cloned Mentha piperita L. (peppermint) plants from our aquaponics experiment have officially started to flower! This milestone comes 7 weeks since the initial post , after we began the cloning process, marking a significant achievement in their growth journey.

Transition from S3 to S2

During the experiment, we decided to move the peppermint clones from System 3 (S3) to System 2 (S2) to better accommodate the growth of the mother plants. While S3 was perfect for establishing the clones due to its larger pipes, S3 provided a more suitable environment for the mother plants to thrive as they grew larger. The transition ensured that the clones had ample space for their roots and stems to develop without constraints, allowing them to reach their full potential while maintaining growth of the mother plants in S3.

Flowering Success

The clones now entered their flowering phase. This natural progression highlights several key successes:

    1.    Adaptability: The clones adapted seamlessly to the change in systems, showcasing their resilience and the efficiency of our aquaponics design.

    2.    System Performance: Both S3 and S2 demonstrated their strengths, from nurturing young clones to supporting mature plants, affirming the versatility of our aquaponics systems.

    3.    Plant Health: Flowering is a strong indicator of plant health and optimal environmental conditions, from nutrient levels to light exposure.

What’s Next?

As the plants continue to flower, we’ll be monitoring their development closely. Our focus now is to:

    •    Observe changes in root and leaf growth during flowering.
    •    Measure the quality and potential yield of peppermint as the plants mature further.

This transition and the flowering milestone demonstrate how adaptable our aquaponics systems are for various stages of plant growth. We’re excited to see how the clones progress and to uncover more insights into optimizing peppermint cultivation in aquaponics.

Curious about our aquaponics systems or want to see the flowering peppermint plants in person? Schedule a visit to VertiCairo today and discover how we’re shaping the future of sustainable farming!