Organic Fanatic Collective

[subfloral]

i just noticed this thread and haven't had a chance to read everything i would like to yet... but i noticed that there was some discussion of mycorrhizal fungi... anyways.. on Paul Stamets website fungiperfecti.com , he sells tablets with spores for use in potting soils and such... fairly cheap 150 for something like 27 dollars american... it's an idea for those that don't want to try and find their own... or that don't live close to undisturbed land

 

[vonforne]

Earth Juice is not my favorite either. My hydro guy is always trying to sell that stuff for half price. I would not take it even when he said I could have some for free. He says the stuff Never sells. I tried once to use it and didn't like the smell but I threw mine out Smurf. I don't need a reminder.

And about the heating the bubbling ferts, my garage stays at about 85* and I find it will brew to a foam in less time than it would at lower temps the last few weeks. I use a fish tank heater in my rez. I will get another one and check that one out. Good call Smurf. its worth a controlled test run. The DWC guys in Organic Hydro bubble and heat their solutions so it should work good for us.


Suby, we are keeping up the faith. Don't worry, we will keep the fire burning while you are away at times.

Relik, The only one that you are really missing is the LK. And if you read back in this thread, we were working on making a homade LK product. You might want to check it out and re-opoen the discussion. We can duplicate most of the ingreidents. You could make your own.

Hello subfloral, welcome to the OFC.



I do have a question for everyone. Does any one else use a fish tank water circulator called a power head? i use one set on low and I like the results. Our areators only bubble in one spot and these seem to move the oxygen all over.

 

[JackTheGrower]

I tried once to use it and didn't like the smell .

I added it to a mix of fish, kelp b1, brewed coffee.. I think that was all.

Added a minty fresh smell to the mix.

Seemed to work well... EJ Bloom that is.

Just thought to share

 

[jaykush]

suby: for sure man i was going to anyways this weekend, no time to make tea this week. ill add some pics so it could help others find it in there area.

subfloral: welcome as V already got to ya, around here we tend to stay away from products and make our own. i mean all in all didn't they just make it them selfs and are now selling it for a price? anyways if people cant get it that could really help and its not like its expensive.

as for the bottles, ive never bought one bottle of nutrients. that doesn't mean i haven't tried them, earth juice got one run, thats all i have to say. they all seem to fall to the superior homemade teas and soil mixes.

 

[vonforne]

they all seem to fall to the superior homemade teas and soil mixes.

I would have to agree with that. And why pay 29.95 a gallon when you could make your own and have 100x more and better results.

 

[jaykush]

heres some pics of the nettles for now.

how to make sure:

the final test would be touch it and if it stings but thats obvious.

 

[minds_I]

Hello all,

Smurf, I have indeed used heat to quicken the process- works well- just dont go above 75*F or so at that is pretty hot for the microkiddies.

On the other hand- your tea will consume itself (ie- runout of food) faster so keep that in mind.

I use a plastic gallon milk jug and a desklamp with a 15 watt bulb shinning on the jug-works for me.

minds_I

 

[Relik]

Yeah I do remember those "Homemade LK" pages in the thread. In fact I have read them several times and I think I could find most ingredients, or equivalents. If I remember well it contains Yucca extract... I have Yuccas in my garden, but I have no idea how I could use them... maybe brewing the chopped leaves?

Anyway, as I said, my airpump is down at the moment. I think I'm gonna buy a more powerful one, can't harm...

Has anyone else tried to brew his Liquid Karma?

 

[irie-i]

Has anyone here in OFC attempted to heat an organic brew/tea for the principal goal of reducing the time it takes to complete a 'tea'?

YES. i let my little giant pump circulate the tea and it creates so much heat it significantly heats the tea. i dont always do it, but it can make mega foam in about 30 hours! that coupled with the sweetwater maker aerator i have and i can just "feel" my tea coming to life in no time. (kinda like the way we sometimes "feel" what our plants need, in other words i havent checked this "scientifically")

 

[Smurf]

"Long Term Goal"

"Long Term Goal"

Thanks for your input fellas. -

I'm always looking for ways to improve my set up vonforne -

fish tank water circulator called a power head

Yes that did occur to me about 'the brew consuming itself' minds i

Didn't think of that irie-i ...... heat via friction

Originally posted by Relic
I guess it could work out better with a water heater such as those used in aquariums, but I do not have one.

That's exactly what I had in mind Relic.

I know of at least one organic fert manufacturer that cooks their ingredients, (patented extraction method). But I'm not intending to go down that road. lol

I've got a thermostatically controlled 200w aquarium heater with a temp range 18 - 32 deg Celsius (65 - 89 deg Fahrenheit) might need some thing outside this range though.

But for this to be a controlled experiment with well documented results I'm gonna need more equipment & plants to play with.

For starters I'll have to brew a tea in the conventional manner every time as well, so I have a standard for comparison.....the teas have to be identical....... the plants have to be identical (obviously clones). The substrate/grow medium have to be identical, etc, etc.

Gee this might take a while......results might be ready in about a year!
I'm starting to wonder if it's worth all the extra time, money & effort?
Just hope I don't become too frustrated..... we'll see.

You can expect more boring snaps like this one!

 

[jaykush]

hey relik heres some info, its not much but its a start. ill keep looking i have a yucca plant as well didnt know i could benefit from it.

TECHNICAL DATA

DESCRIPTION: pure, natural extract of the Mohave Yucca Plant (Yucca schidigera).
CONCENTRATION: 50 Brix ± 0.5 @ 20° C
INGREDIENTS: 99.9% Yucca schidigera extract, 0.1% Sodium benzoate*
SAPONINS: 10-12%
APPEARANCE: Pourable liquid brown in color.
DENSITY: 10 lbs per gallon
pH: 3.9 ± 0.2
PACKAGING: Packed in 1 pt, 1 qt, 1 gallon, 5 gallon and 55 gallon plastic drums with a guaranteed shelf life of two years when stored at 5 – 25° C. Note: As a natural extract there may be some slight settling of insoluble solids found over time in the bottom of the drums.
REGULATORY: Mohave Yucca (Yucca schidigera) is approved for use in food and beverages by the FDA under CFR 172.510, FEMA number 3121. Allowed for use in organic production* under 7 U.S.C 605 and N.O.P. 205.602. Exempt from the requirement of a tolerance as specified in 40 CFR 180.1001

* For organic production, preservatives are eliminated.

NUTRITIONAL DATA SHEET

DESCRIPTION: Concentrated natural extract of the Mohave Yucca Plant (Yucca schidigera).

NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS*:

PER 100 GRAMS
Moisture 51.86% Total Calories 185.
Protein 0.67% Vitamin A 234.00 IU
Fat 0.19% Vitamin C 21.10 MGMS
Ash 2.02% Calcium 75.30 MGMS
Total Dietary Fiber 0.36% Iron 1.08 MGMS
Total Carbohydrate 45.26% Sodium 105.00 MGMS
Total Sugars 22.35% Cholesterol <1.00 MGMS

Fatty Acid Profile:
: Saturated Fat 35.50%
: Monounsaturated 7.50%
: Polyunsaturated 57.00%

*Note: Natural extracts vary in content throughout the year, however, specific batch analysis available upon request.

PACKAGING: Packed in 1 pint, 1 quart, 1 gallon, 5 gallon, and 55 gallon plastic drums with a guaranteed shelf life of two years when stored at 5 - 25° C.
REGULATORY: Mohave Yucca (Yucca schidigera) is approved for use in food and beverages by the FDA under CFR 172.510, FEMA number 3121.

RECOMMENDED USAGE

DESCRIPTION:
Yucca liquids are 100% water-soluble and stay in solution without agitation. They will not evaporate into the air after application.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

GENERAL APPLICATION:
Apply ½ gallon per acre (43,560 sq ft.) using up to 1.5 gallons per season depending on soil conditions.

NOTE: This would mean the entire surface would be covered. If you had crops in a row on an acre, you may want to make a calculation. For example, if your rows were 3 feet apart and you wanted to apply the Yucca in the row in an area 1 foot wide, you would be covering 1/3 of an acre or 14,520 sq ft. This means ½ gallon of Yucca would cover 3 acres of crop.

ROW CROPS: Mix with starter or side dress fertilizer or metered into first irrigation water.

TREES AND VINES: Dilute in sufficient water for coverage and spray soil surface to be irrigated or meter into first irrigation water.

NEW SEEDINGS:
Apply 1 gallons per acre after seeding to enhance water retention and percolation.

NEW PLANTINGS & TRANSPLANTS:
Use 1 oz. Per gallon of water and drench soil media before or after planting. For trees use 1 gallon mix per inch of tree trunk diameter.

SOIL INJECTION FOR TREES:
When applying with fertilizer mix, use ½ quart per 100 gallons. For very compact soils add ½ gallon per 100 gallons of fertilizer mix.

TURF:
Large planting such as golf courses and athletic fields use 1 gal/acre diluted in water and spray over area. Repeat every 3 to 6 months. Small areas such as greens, aprons, trees, heavy foot traffic use 1 pint per 1000 square feet. Repeat after 30 days then once every 3 months.

FLOWERS & GROUND COVER:
Apply 4 oz. Per 1000 sq. feet. Spray on foliage and soil surface until runoff. In hot weather, use every 2 weeks.

TURN PLANT DEFENSE SYSTEM ON FOR DISEASE RESISTANCE:

Mix 1/2 cup Yucca Extract into 5 gallons of water. Add 5 crushed 325 mg Aspirin tablets to a glass of water and stir to dissolve. Pour into 5 gallon Yucca water. Spray plants once a week. Yucca helps get the Aspirin into the plant and the plants natural defense system gets turned on. Such plants will grow more vigorously and have a higher natural resistance to fungal pathogens. This Yucca solution is not a fungicide or pesticide. It merely turns on a plants natural defense system.

NOTE: Yucca extract is a strong foamer. To control excessive foaming, use 6 oz. Antifoaming agent per 100 gallons of mix.

ok so i did some more reading, not enough to post but it seems the Saponins in the yucca will aid to the foliar feeding and help the plants intake the nutrients better also aid the bacteria. still got some more reading to do.

 

[Smurf]

Practical approach to stimulate soil organisms

Practical approach to stimulate soil organisms

Here’s an good example of what organic farmers are achieving simply by providing air and food (in the form of a 0.1 percent sugar solution) via drip irrigation, then adding 12 percent air (by volume) to irrigation water through special capillary drip tubes laid 5 to 8 inches deep in the soil. This has enhanced pepper yields by up to one third.
The best part is all they’re doing is feeding the Mycorrhizal.

 

[vonforne]

Yucca can also be used in the same way some use dish soap in a nutrient solution. Kind of like a binder to aid nutrient uptake. I read it in the Garden forums I go to. I know I copied it but I can not find it for the quote.

Has anyone else tried to brew his Liquid Karma?

It goes in my nute teas everytime. Just like the molasses.


jaykush, thanks for those pictures. I have seen these in the Mid-West where I grew up. But where I live now it is different than that one. I will have to find a picture. It has odd shaped leaves and has a white flower.

I found this while doing a search. It is used for mens health supplement.

A popular herb for men's health, Stinging Nettle nourishes the kidneys and the urinary tract. It contains high amounts of iodine, which makes it beneficial for the thyroid gland - your body's "internal thermostat". Stinging Nettle is also rich in vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and chlorophyll.

Official Latin Name: Urtica dioica

Currently, it is believed that polysaccharides (complex sugars) and lectins (large protein-sugar molecules) are probably the most active constituents.

another containing sugar.

 

[vonforne]

What do you guys think of fresh wheat grass, fava bean and soybean sprouts? Juiced and used in a tea.

 

[mr_ermine]

Here is my tried tested and true recipe, a soil mix is alot like cooking, the fun is dialing in the recipe.
I like this mix because it is simple, cheap to make, and relatively complete even without the use of teas at least for awhile.

back to business..

60% ProMix HP + Mike
30% perlite
10% worm castings for micros and BB

To each gallon of this mix I add:

2 TBS/gal dolomite lime
1 TBS/gal blood meal
2 TBS/gal bone mean for P (flowering mix only)
1 TBS/gal kelp meal

The most important step is now to compost your soil mix for 2 weeks before using it, you want to wet the mix to create an environment where the beneficials in the soil start munching on the soil elements and creating a stable environment with some nutes ready to go for a well rooted clone.
I use LiquidKarma for a wetting mix @ 1TBS per gallon (some B1 goods right there ), as instructed by the wise ones.

I use Mike with every transplant, i transplant 3 times and flower in 5 gallon pails.
I feed a microbial tea every watering with no nutes just EWC, LK, and molasses, to me this is a base.
I use a stong N tea once towards end of veg and a strong P tea about 3 weeks into flowering every 2nd or 3rd watering until about 10 days before harvest.
I use liquid seaweed lightly and regularly as K is essential throughout and as a bonus over other mineral sources of K kelp is rich in growth hormone and micros.


I'll get to teas in the morning, i'll be here waking and baking.
Pimp your mixes.

S

hi there, i was wondering what "Mike" refers to-- as in Pro Mix with Mike, etc...also, do you find you need to add epsom salts to your soil or tea? thank you very much

 

[Relik]

Hey jaykush thanks for the post, I'll try to use those Yuccas, I just love it when I can get most stuff from my garden. I'll keep on searchin' on that one...

When I asked if anyone had tried to brew his Liquid Karma I meant "homemade Liquid Karma" lol... I still can't brew anything (no airpump) but it sure sounds good.

Mr_ermine, if I'm not mistaken, when Suby refers to Mike, he's talking about Mycorrhizae, which, to sum it up very fast, is a root fungus (a beneficial one) that helps the plants get nutes from the soil. In exchange, the plants "feeds" the fungus with sugars. It is an association of two organisms, another example of Nature's greatness! (corrections welcome, I am no expert)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycorrhizae

Keep it safe people.

 

[vonforne]

also, do you find you need to add epsom salts to your soil or tea? thank you very much

You add Epsom salts to your water. I put it in my rez. When I fill it every second or third time.


Here is a brand that is available at most garden centers. I find the ones that sell trees in my area carry this. And there are other products that use mycorrhizal fungi in them...
FF Peace of Mind series of guanos
FF Light Warrior
Rainbow Mix (maybe)

Just to name a few. If you cannot find Plant Success.

 

[vonforne]

Hey guys, Relik asked if anyone was brewing the homemade LK. I have a little extra room and I will be sending some clones to flower soon. If everyone would make suggestions and we get all the ingriedents together. I will make what you suggest and use it on some clones in a controlled grow. I'm growing a couple different strains now. The Grapefruit can take a hard hit in the fert department so I will use her. I have an extra air pump and tons of extra buckets. Lets put together a list and make a collective run. the first OFC collective run if you will. So, come on everyone lets get this done and don't let all of our work just lie around. lets all put this information to work.

 

[vonforne]

Sorry guys, My grow has been compromised. For saftey reasons my posts will stop for awhile. I have taken care of the evidence. Its all gone. You guys are great. Take care and stay safe.

Von

 

[Smurf]

That sucks........ wish there was something I could do...... be safe vonforne and do what you gotta do!

Buy a couple of tickets for you & the mrs and come down to oz. I'll gladly help you set up again!