Mulch. Just do it.

[mad librettist]

Heya Clack! thanks for stopping by.

here's a shot of some squash that volunteered:

It's unfortunate about the micro clover, but like you say regular white clover should be just fine. Just have a good sickle so you can mow easily.

I agree that the difference after using clover is astounding. I think there is more going on than just N-fixation.

 

[Dignan]

Bud rot is a function of floral structure and humidity (and to some extent, damage from pests can allow it to take a foothold when floral structure and humidity aren't ideal). Bud rot doesn't climb up the plant from the soil like The Blob.

 

[gunnaknow]

Here's Silverback's old thread on mulching. It increased his yield by nearly 40%!

https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=84379

 

[CC_2U]

MadL

The White Dutch Clover only grows between 4" - 8" according to the sign over the bin at the nursery. Unlike the field clovers (Red & Crimson) this clover only puts roots down a few inches and not 20 feet with field clovers.

I browsed around and read that this clover is a perennial and is used for lawns or has some role to play in growing a lawn (early germination?) to kick things off where a blend of seeds are used from what I can figure out.

I can't see how a 'weed' could push through the plant and root mass this clover develops. It's like a pure green carpet.

CC

 

[mad librettist]

I can't see how a 'weed' could push through the plant and root mass this clover develops. It's like a pure green carpet.

and yet, when I installed a barely rooted cut, I had no problem...

what did I do before clover?

 

[3rdEye]

I think for a two month veg/4 square foot canopy per plant, 15 gallons seems about ideal.

I don't think my method would work out too well with 3 gallon pots, but that's only a guess, you know?




with a 4 plant veg area, and a 4 plant flower area, that's a plant every 3 weeks or so in perpetual. Not sure what I will yield but if it goes as planned I will steal one fourth of my flower tent for non-cannabis plantings. each 15 galon pot will get a turn growing something else.

Looking at the size of container i see you and a few others using i am really thinking about going up to 15-30 gal containers for my plants. I haven't run anything in over a 3 gal for a while, but i have two plants in 5 gal pots that i thought would provide for ample root room. Now i'm thinking... why so little?

I've got some red clover that i'm using since that's what i got available. I don't think there will be much, if any, root issues, but i'll report back with any useful info. Probably going to prep one or two 5-10 gal and start the clover there like what you did madL.

now hopefully some of my cuttings will root...

 

[CC_2U]

3rdEye

The field clovers used to improve land are Red Clover and Crimson Clover. These plants push their roots down as deep as 20' pulling up a wide range of elements which are then 'accumulated' in the plant above the soil.

They will grow between 18 - 24" so if they get too tall for your situation simply cut them and leave a few inches and lay the plants on your soil - green manure.

Clovers are also 'nitrogen-fixing' plants like legumes, alfalfa, etc.

Good choice!

CC

 

[3rdEye]

It's actually mammoth red clover. From those folks you recommended with the bocking 14 cultivar. So for the info. I am sure they will help out my plants. Especially if i can get some OD in big containers.

 

[mad librettist]

I want some mammoth red clover!

It would go great with my micro-clover.

Just received my chickweed and purslane

oregon tilth certified

 

[BudGood]

Haha @ the Wii controller in the pic above.

 

[CC_2U]

3rdEye

What did you think of the product catalog that the comfrey people included with your order? Pretty amazing array of plants, seeds, etc. isn't it? At fair prices!

CC

 

[mad librettist]

ok, I just put together the final container.

This has about 12 gallons of:

7 parts calcined montmorilionite
3 parts compost
1.5 parts topsoil
azomite
espoma tone
crab meal
no lime

on top of that, a few inches of compost mixed with azomite and some rice hulls, mike
on top of that, a few inches of worm castings (mostly finished)


onto the top layer went:

potter's clay
crab meal
micro-clover seed
purslane seed
chickweed seed

 

[3rdEye]

3rdEye

What did you think of the product catalog that the comfrey people included with your order? Pretty amazing array of plants, seeds, etc. isn't it? At fair prices!

CC

Yes, actually i found the style and tone of the catalog to be rather fun and very ethical as well. There is a lot for me to learn from there. I got my comfrey in the ground and they are looking great. I'm stoked to use the FPE.

I want some mammoth red clover!

It would go great with my micro-clover.

Just received my chickweed and purslane

oregon tilth certified

I have 500 seeds. I figure i'll use about half and collect some seed from those plants. If you'd like some of this prime mammoth red clover PM me.



mad librettist "ok, I just put together the final container.

This has about 12 gallons of:

7 parts calcined montmorilionite
3 parts compost
1.5 parts topsoil
azomite
espoma tone
crab meal
no lime

on top of that, a few inches of compost mixed with azomite and some rice hulls, mike
on top of that, a few inches of worm castings (mostly finished)


onto the top layer went:

potter's clay
crab meal
micro-clover seed
purslane seed
chickweed seed"


that sounds like a gourmet meal for the microbes and worms. Still need to pick up some rice hulls.

 

[heady blunts]

look what's stowed away in my soil mix. can anyone give me any clues as to what it might be?

 

[Abja Roots]

So much great info on this site. This thread is just another example of that. Thanks for sharing. Shows that you can even do this indoors. I'd read JayKush's previous posts about the yarrow, nettles, and chamomile. This just expands what I think is possible indoors.

As I think about it, it seems more logical to have some kind of "mulch" to preserve moisture. For years I used perlite on top of my pots, to prevent drying out and reduce any algae/mold that might occur. I was also really diligent about cleaning up leaves that fell, so that they wouldn't become a habitat for non-beneficials. This flips that idea on it's head. It's makes more sense to work with something, than against it.

Thanks everyone

 

[Truthbesaid]

What about using creeping chamomile, or Australian violets, or moss's like cushion moss. Do you think any would have ill effects?

 

[mad librettist]

What about using creeping chamomile, or Australian violets, or moss's like cushion moss. Do you think any would have ill effects?

try everything! post pics!

 

[supuradam]

try everything! post pics!

I do have some orange thyme growing in one pot. It also smells fantastic. And it is good in everything. Everything.

 

[Truthbesaid]

Sounds good to me. =] going to get the Australian violets tomorrow probably. I'll post pics when I can

 

[mad librettist]

here is the living mulch - bird's eye view (the two mandalas are week 4):