Organics: The GLO way

[Green Leaf Organics]

After many many messages in my inbox about how i mix my soils and generally a lot of questions about growing really good organic bud I have decided  to do this post. I think even the hydro guys have to agree that when it comes to taste and smell you cant beat organics. The next argument that hydro guys like to use is you will never get growth speed in organics like you would in hydro , i would have to agree with that to a point. While hydro is faster growth in a good organic soil you will keep up very well in growth.

I will try to answer all the questions about organics and while most of the writing will be my own i really don't see a point of rewriting things that others have put into words so well , where i use other work i will credit them for there work. I would also like to say that this is the way i like to do things and works for me but with the beauty of organics there is no definitive right or wrong , there are guidelines that MUST be followed but unlike hydro you have a lot of room to play. I will welcome any questions you have or advice you may need , so enough rambling!!! Let's get or organics on!!

 

Soil Food Web:

To truly grow organics well you need to have an understanding of the soil food web but more specifically we need to start well at the start of the web because that is what we will be trying to breed and keep happy , the microbes.

 

Unfortunately in a modern age a lot of bacteria and fungi diversity has died of in nature to a degree because of all the crap people put into the soil. This is why i like to collect soil sample from wherever i go , i make a AACT from it and inoculate my compost heap with the bacteria, by doing this you are increasing the bacteria and fungi diversity in your home compost heap and in turn it will help your ladies.

 

The Next part in from Matt and i find his definition excellent

 

Redefining the Soil Food Web for Indoors by Matt Rize

The complex relationship between plants and soil is called the soil food web. This describes the connection between roots, soil, and soil organisms. In the past 15 years this topic has been the center of attention for organic gardeners, thanks in large part to Teaming With Microbes by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis.

Plants produce sugars (carbohydrates) and proteins via photosynthesis, a well known process. Lesser known is that these photosynthetic products are then exuded into the soil, via the root system, to encourage beneficial bacteria and/or fungi. The bacteria and fungi feed larger soil organisms. It is the poop from these larger organisms that feed our plants. This is organic soil gardening at is core.

Soil organisms include (from tiny to small): bacteria, fungi, algae, slime molds, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, gastropods, worms, and insects. These, and many unlisted organisms, are partially responsible for decomposition/aeration of soil. Decomposed soil releases nutrients, which are then used by plant's roots for nutrition. Aeration of soil is a major issue, and has led to many growing with soil-less organic media. Peat/coco/bark, the organic soil-less grow medias, are much more airy than traditional soil.

But soil organisms are not the only ones decomposition and improving soil structure. Plants decompose soil chemically by exuding organic acids, ie citric acid, via their roots system. This is how plants actively take nutrition from soil. Plants also alter soil pH to their liking with these same exudates. Plants, like soil organisms, aerate soil via growing and moving root systems. Plants do exert a level of control over the rhizosphere.

Taken indoors the root soil food web is different. Indoor container growing is done without the larger soil decomposers, worms and insects. Bagged potting mixes may be void of other crucial soil organisms due to processing and/or sterilization. This means indoor potting soil won't be continuously aerated by worm and insect tunneling. This lack of large decomposers has led to indoor growing being based on mostly lighter (more air) and less nutritionally balanced soil-less organic media instead of actual soil. Familiar examples of soil-less organic media again are: peat, coco, and bark.

Soil-less organic potting mixes made from peat/coco/bark need food supplementation, as these mixes do not provide complete plant nutrition, especially in high yield environments. Normally, in the outdoor soil food web, worms help to feed the plants. But indoors we have to do the worm's job, so we add bottled and dry nutrients to our indoor food web. Indoors we use a root-soil-nutrient food web instead of a root-soil food web.

The constant addition of vermi-compost (EWC) by worms does not apply indoors, and this plant nutrient source must be replaced for high yield indoor organics. The bottled and dry nutrients replace the worm's decomposition of soil. The switch from soil to soil-less organic (peat, coco, bark), due to soil-less' airy structure, means most of the nutrients that plants use must be added by the gardener. The dry and bottled nutes that we water in are eaten by the bacteria and fungi, which are eaten by nematodes and protozoa, who poop plant food. The root-soil-nutrient food web

 

 

Do Not Do's:

-never feed an organics mix with chemical nutrients

-never use water straight out the tap , it contains chlorine and chloramine both of with will decimate your microbes

-never mix your organic nutrients in chlorinated water

-never let you soil dry out completely , microbes need the moisture

- never store your sol in airtight containers , it needs air exchange

 

Organic Additives:

biobizz

I have been using this for a long time and must say there is no better organic food for our ladies in the country. Unfortunately in SA we are very behind the rest of the world

 

Amino Acids

amino acids by HeroHater

The basic component of living cells is Proteins. Proteins are formed by a sequence of Amino Acids. Plants synthesise Amino Acids from the Primary elements, the Carbon and Oxygen obtained from air, Hydrogen from water in the medium, which forms Carbon Hydrates by means of photosynthesis and combining it with the Nitrogen which the plants obtain from the soil/nutrient mix, leading to synthesis of amino acids. An important note is Only L-Amino Acids are part of these Proteins and have metabolic activity.

 

Theoretically, the number of possible amino acids in nature is infinite. However, for plant nutrition purposes, the relevant amino acids are L-Alfa types in which the R generic radical is substituted by a Hydrogen one

 

Amino acids are organic substances formed by an asymmetrical carbon atom that is joined to:

-An Amine group “NH2

-A Carboxylic group “COOH

-Two radicals “R and R´ characteristic of each amino acid

 

About 20 important Amino Acids are involved in the process of each function. Studies have proved that Amino Acids can directly or indirectly influence the physiological activities of the plant. Amino Acids are also supplied to plant by incorporating them into the soil. It helps in improving the micro flora of the soil thereby facilitating the assimilation of nutrients. Foliar Nutrition in the form of Protein Hydrolysate (Known as Amino Acids Liquid) and foliar spray provide ready made building blocks for Protein synthesis.

 

L and D amino acids

Stereochemistry is important in living organisms because its properties can change depending on the spatial distribution of its atomic components. All amino acids, with the exception of glycine (which does not have asymmetric carbon), can be found in both L and D forms, in function of the spatial disposition of the groups that join asymmetric carbon. This disposition diverts polarised light in one way or another. This optical characteristic is what divides amino acids into L or D. Only L-amino acids form part of the proteins utilised by plants and promote changes in plant metabolic activity.

 

Total Amino Acids:

All amino acids are found as either free form, peptide or protein form:

-Â Free Amino Acids:Â Free amino acids are individualised in monomer form and not bound to another by peptic unions. Due to their lower molecular weight, plants assimilate this form of amino acids the most quickly and their effects on the metabolic processes of the plant are the most profound. As such, free amino acids are of primary importance in plant nutrition.

-Â Peptides: When two or more amino acids are bound to one another (by peptic union), they form a peptide. The greater the length of the peptide (more amino acids bound together), the more difficult the direct assimilation by plants.

- Proteins: The joining of different chains of polypeptides forms a protein. The structural units of proteins are amino acids joined in a sequence and characteristic order of each type of protein.

 

 

 

Effects of photosynthesis:

Photosynthesis is a plant's most metabolically important pathway. Through it, a plant synthesises sugars from carbon dioxide, water and luminous energy. These sugars (carbohydrates) are the source of energy for a plant's other metabolic processes. A low photosynthetic rate caused by stress can decrease a plant's growth.

 

Glycine and glutamic acid are fundamental metabolites in the formation of vegetable tissue and chlorophyll synthesis. These amino acids raise the concentration of chlorophyll in plants. This increases the absorption of luminous energy, which leads to greater degrees of photosynthesis.

 

 

 

Effect on stomata:

Stomata are cellular structures that control a plant's hydro balance, as well as the absorption of gases and macro and micro nutrients. A stoma's openings are controlled by external factors (light, moisture, temperature and concentration of salts), and by internal factors (amino acid concentration, abscisic acid, etc.).

 

Stomata close when light and moisture are low, and temperature and salt concentration are high. When stomata close, photosynthesis and transpiration (low macro and micro nutrient absorption) are reduced, and respiration is increased. When this occurs, a plant's metabolic balance is negative. This causes metabolism to decrease and plant growth to stop. L- glutamic acid acts as an osmotic agent for the protective cells cytoplasm, which favors the opening of stomata.

 

 

Chelating effect:

Amino acids have a chelating effect for micronutrients. When jointly applied with micro elements, their absorption and transportation inside the plant simplifies. This is caused by chelation and membrane permeability. L-glycine and L-glutamic acid amino acids are known as very effective chelating agents.

 

Amino acids and phytohormones:

Amino acids are the precursors or activators of phytohormones and growth substances. L-Methionine is a precursor of ethylene and other growth factors such as spermine and spermidine, which are synthesised from 5-adenosyl methionine.

L-tryptophan is a precursor of auxin synthesis. L-tryptophan is used in plants only in its L-form. L-tryptophan is available only if protein hydrolysis used in its extraction / manufacture is carried out by enzymes. When L-tryptophan is produced using most common industrial processes, this important amino acid is destroyed.

 

Stress Resistance

Stress such as High temperature, Low humidity, Frost, Pest attack, Hailstorm, Floods have a negative effect on plant metabolism with a corresponding reduction in crop quality and quantity. The application of Amino Acids before, during and after the stress conditions supplies the plants with Amino Acids which are directly related to stress physiology and thus has a preventing and recovering effect.

 

Pollination and fruit formation:

Pollination is the transportation of pollen to the carpel that makes fecundation and fruit formation possible.

L-proline helps pollen fertility. L-lysine, L-methionine, and L-glutamic acid are essential amino acids for pollination. These amino acids increase pollen germination and the length of the pollen tube

 

Fulvic Acid:

Fulvic, from the word "fulvus" meaning yellow; fulvic acids are light yellow to gold-brown in colour. Hence, the reference to “gold” in brand name products containing fulvic acid.

 

Fulvic acid is considered the miracle of minerals because it not only affects plants it affects us. Before commercial farming depleted nutrients from the soil, fulvic acid was abundant in the foods consumed by humans. The introduction of NPK fertilizers, for the production of super-crops, and the overuse of land has left the soil void of this vital mineral. The natural ingestion of plant-based fulvic acid in the human diet has decreased to a minimal amount. Many natural health care practitioners are recommending fulvic acid to patients as an immune system booster and detoxifier and to help with the absorption of vitamins and minerals from foods.

The agricultural benefits of fulvic acids have enormous potential to heal soils of the world and neutralize radioactive and toxic wastes. It also decreases the need for antibiotics in feedlot animals and birds, increasing healthy growth.

This miracle molecule, fulvic acid, passes through plants’ cell walls with ease. Fulvic acid acts as a claw or chelating agent, attaching to minerals that would otherwise be rendered useless to plants. Essential nutrients and vitamins, which plants may not be able to assimilate easily, will piggyback on the fulvic acid, to be transported to all cells that need them. This miracle molecule has incredible potential when used for soil enrichment, in hydroponic applications, and as a foliar spray.

Fulvic acid is a by-product of humic acid. Humic acid is extracted from any material containing well-decomposed organic matter — soil, coal, composts, etc. As humic material is decomposed by living microbes, these microbes create the most biologically complex organic compounds on earth — fulvic acid. There is perhaps no substance more vital to life than the biologically derived compounds known as fulvic acid.

Fulvic acids enter into all living processes within the plant and animal kingdoms. When necessary they act as "free-radical" scavengers, supply vital electrolytes, enhance and transport nutrients, catalyze enzyme reactions, increase assimilation, stimulate metabolism, chelate and change inorganic minerals into organically complex minerals, solubilize, energize, and transport major and trace elements to the site of need, and demonstrate amazing capacity for electrochemical balance. Fulvic acids are involved in indispensable biochemical reactions that influence all biological life forms, both plant and animal.

Fulvic acid is a natural mineral that has survived through the many years of evolution on Earth. It is one of the best and most basic minerals to encourage healthy plant growth. It has chemical properties that allow plants to absorb more nutrients, and increases water storage capacity within the plant. Fulvic is so powerful that one fulvic molecule is capable of carrying 60 or more minerals and trace elements into the cells. It also prolongs the time that essential nutrients remain in the plant cells, maximizing nutritional potential. Fulvic acid increases plant metabolism, thus naturally increasing growth.

One property of fulvic acid is its ability to assimilate with other minerals in the ground when in a soluble state. It helps turn minerals into a more organic, usable product. When the minerals become more organic they are more readily and easily absorbed by plant roots. On top of this, fulvic acid transmits immunity to all living things. It reacts to everything, including living cells, plants, animals, and even microscopic organisms.

Plants treated with a regular diet of fulvic acid have a greater resistance to fluctuations in pH. The fulvic acid acts as a shock absorber because the nitrogen it contains is slowly released. This is extremely important because excess acidity will make minerals insoluble to plants while an alkaline pH will burn the plant.

Fulvic acid may be administered via foliar applications. It has a very low molecular weight, which facilitates penetration into plants. Nutrients can be quickly delivered to all sites within the plant, correcting deficiencies and restoring natural balance. To increase the number of internodes or flower sites a plant produces, fulvic acid can be foliar sprayed as soon as the first flower sites appear. Fulvic acid applications will also slow down the vertical growth of plants.

The use of fulvic acids in agriculture improves the structure of soil, retaining moisture, encouraging aeration of the root, and providing the plant with nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur, as well as micronutrients. It contributes to the conversion of minerals from non-assimilable to soluble form through the release of carbonic gas.

The most exciting discovery in glasshouse agriculture in recent years is the application of fulvic acid in hydroponic or soilless cultivation. Agricultural scientists have been aware of the benefits of fulvic acid to soil applications for many years. However, it was only recently discovered that fulvic acid could provide the same benefits to soilless crop production.

Adding fulvic acid to the nutrient solution once plants are established, around the second week, strengthens their immunity and increases their resistance to stress. Plants are not as susceptible to slight environmental changes in temperature or humidity. Fulvic acid will not compensate for poor hydroponic cultural practices; however, it does offer a buffer against minor inconsistencies.

Nutrient uptake is definitely enhanced when fulvic acid is added to the solution. Plants receive a steady supply of food as they require it. Sediment is reduced or eliminated from the nutrient solution when fulvic acid is added. Fulvic acid discourages binding, which can cause minerals to fall out of suspension, rendering them unusable to plants.

The overall increase in plant health and strength is probably the most notable advantage observed from using fulvic acid. Strong plants are more resistant to disease, fungus, mould, and insects, eliminating or diminishing the need for pesticide and fungicide use.

More flower sites and stronger stem growth add to the benefits of using fulvic acid in agricultural applications.

Healthy plants produce healthy fruit full of vitamins and minerals. Fulvic acid will help ensure that plants meet their highest growth and nutritional potential.

Investigations are ongoing into other applications for fulvic acid. This miracle molecule may unleash hidden secrets to overall health and wellness in humans. For now, fulvic acid offers growers the golden opportunity to produce strong, hearty crops abundant in fruit rich in nutrients and minerals.

 

Molasses:

The main purpose of this is to feed your microbes , there are a few small effects of the plant but in my grows i feel that the effect is more from the happy microbes than the molasses. Molasses is used as a suspension agent in most organic nutrients. For the last 2 weeks of flower i just water with molasses

 

Humic Acid

I feel that in a good organic grow humic acid is not needed as the medium should be producing more than enough of this but if you feel that you would like to try it use half doses

 

Minerals

Eggshells N= 1.2 P= 0.4 K= 0.1

Contains calcium plus trace minerals. Dry first, then grind to powder.

 

Limestone (dolomitic) N= 0 P= 0 K= 0

Raises pH, 51% calcium and 40% magnesium.

 

Limestone (calcitic) N= 0 P= 0 K= 0

Raises pH, 65-80% calcium, 3-15% magnesium.

 

Crustacean Shells N= 4.6 P= 3.52 K= 0

Contain large amounts of lime. Should be ground as finely as possible for best results.

 

Wood Ashes N= 0 P= 1.5 K= 7

Very fast acting and highly alkaline (usually used to raise pH). Contains many micronutrients.

 

Crushed Granite N= 0 P= 0 K= 5

Contains 67% silicas and 19 trace minerals. Slow release over a long period of time.

 

Rock Phosphate N= 0 P= 3 K= 0

Contains 11 trace minerals. Slow release over a long period of time.

 

Epsom Salts N= 0 P= 0 K= 0

Provides Mg and acts as a balancer.

 

 

Manures

Rabbit manure N= 2.4 P= 1.4 K= 0.6

Most concentrated of animal manures in fresh form.

 

Cow manure (dairy) N= 0.6 P= 0.2 K= 0.5

Often contains weed seeds, should be hot composted.

 

cow manure N= 0.7 P= 0.3 K= 0.4

Often contains weed seeds, should be hot composted if fresh.

 

Chicken manure N= 1.1 P= 0.8 K= 0.5

Fast acting, breaks down quickest of all manures. Use carefully, may burn. Also, stinks like hell - composting definitely recommended.

 

Horse manure N= 0.7 P= 0.3 K= 0.6

Medium breakdown time.

 

Duck manure N= 0.6 P= 1.4 K= 0.5

 

Sheep manure N= 0.7 P= 0.3 K= 0.9

 

Worm castings N= 0.5 P= 0.5 K= 0.3

50% organic material plus 11 trace minerals. Great for seedlings, will not burn. Is a form of compost, so doesn't need composting.

 

Desert Bat Guano N= 8 P= 4 K= 1

Also contains trace elements. Fast-acting, mix in soil or as tea (1 C guano to 5 gal. water).

 

Cave Bat Guano N= 3 P= 10 K= 1

 

Note: it is recommended to first compost any fresh manure before you use it for 2 reasons:

 

1. to lessen the chance of harmful pathogens.

2. to break down the manure to make it more usable to the plant (and reduce the smell!)

 

The rates for pig or human manure are not listed because of the high rate of harmful pathogens they contain.

 

Organic Meals

Blood Meal N= 11 P= 0 K= 0

Highest N of all organic sources, very fast acting if made into tea.

 

Bone Meal (steamed) N= 1 P= 11 K= 0

Releases nutrients slowly. Caution: European farmers should not use because of the risk of spreading Mad Cow Disease; growers elsewhere may face the same issue.

 

Fish Scrap N= 5 P= 3 K= 3

Use in compost or work in soil several months before using. Usually slightly alkaline.

 

Fish Emulsion N= 4 P= 1 K= 1

Also adds 5% sulfur. Good N source for seedlings, won't burn.

 

Kelp Meal N= 1 P= 0.5 K= 2.5

Provides 60 trace elements, plus growth-promoting hormones and enzymes.

 

Coffee Grounds N= 2 P= 0.3 K= 0.2

Highly acidic, best for use in alkaline soils

 

Dry Dog Food

Great fungal starter

 

Lactobacillus-serum

http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/recipes/lactobacillus-serum/

 

Compost Tea- Taken from my blog

Compost tea is a liquid made by steeping a porous bag of decomposed and recycled organic matter, known as compost, in water. The compost infuses the water with nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Eventually, compost tea can be sprayed on foliage to inhibit pests or poured into the ground around plants to enrich the soil and to feed the roots. Depending on its purpose and how it is prepared, a number of different ingredients may go into the tea.

Compost tea is a liquid extract of compost that contains plant growth compounds and beneficial microorganisms. Liquid extracts have been used for hundreds of years in agriculture to promote plant and soil health. These extracts have historically been derived from a wide range of plant materials and animal manures, using a variety of processing methods. Aerated Compost Tea is a more recent concept that incorporates aeration technology to create optimum levels of oxygen for growth and reproduction of beneficial aerobic microorganisms. Compost teas are now being produced and used in large-scale agriculture, viticulture, horticulture, nurseries, lawn care, and residential gardens

 

Best Water

The chlorine in most drinking water kills the beneficial microbes in compost tea. Oregon University Extension recommends that potable, de-chlorinated water be used to make the tea (see References 1). De-chlorination of tap water is easy: Let a bucket of tap water sit for a few hours before using it to steep or to dilute compost tea. The chlorine will naturally dissipate, leaving the water safe to use.

 

Passive Tea

Passive compost tea is simply a "tea bag" suspended in a bucket of water and allowed to soak for several weeks. The compost gradually colors the water as the microbes and nutrients leach into the liquid through the porous fabric bag. The Rodale Institute says a typical water-to-compost ratio for tea is 5-to-1. Nothing should be added to this mix, because added nutrients will cause the tea to turn anaerobic and rancid. The putrefying tea will produce phenols and alcohol that will kill all the beneficial microbes. At that point, the spoiled compost tea becomes worse than useless, as it can harm plants.

 

Aerated Compost Tea

Aerated compost tea is "brewed" with the help of pumps that oxygenate the mix, speeding up the extraction of nutrients from the compost. It takes far less time to finish --- usually the tea is ready in as little as 24 hours, according to the Oregon State University Extension Service (see References 1). Supplemental nutrients, such as molasses, kelp, fish byproducts or humic acid, may be added to this brew as catalysts. Once aerated compost tea is ready, it should be applied within four to six hours for maximum potency and benefit .

 

 

 

 

How is it Made?Compost tea is produced by steeping finished compost in water in order to extract beneficial microorganisms and compounds into solution. It uses fine bubble diffusion to supply aeration and mixing of the solution, a supplemental nutrient source (Compost Tea Catalyst) to feed the microorganisms, and a 24-hour brewing cycle to produce a biologically active, Aerated Compost Tea.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jo6f3...eature=related

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dEJg...eature=related

 

 

The right compost is critical!Compost is the source of organic matter and organisms for extraction, so quality is very important! The quality of the tea is only as good as the compost used to make it. Worm castings are often used alone or blended with compost because of their highly diverse microbial composition. Supplemental nutrients (Compost Tea Catalyst) are added at the beginning of the brewing process to the tank to encourage the growth and proliferation of diverse aerobic microorganisms that are beneficial to plant growth. Growing Solutions’ Compost Tea Catalyst™contains kelp, humic acids, rock powder and a blend of botanical ingredients formulated for optimal microbial growth and diversity.

 

 

Benefits of compost tea

Compost tea is a good overall plant health booster. Remember—healthy plants are better able to resist pests and diseases! Compost tea is typically used:

• Provide nutrients for foliar or soil application

• As a microbial inoculant via soil application to help build soil microbial populations

 

 

How to use compost tea

It is best to plan ahead for maximum benefit from compost tea. Aerated compost tea should be used quickly, since it contains living organisms. Ideally, the tea will be used within 4-6 hours of decanting from the brewer. Keeping it cool, out of the sunlight and in an open-top container, can prolong the useful life of the tea. Periodic stirring or continued aeration will prolong its life even longer. Eventually, however, the organisms in the compost tea will consume all of the food and air available to them, causing their populations to rapidly decline. Any tea that is left over or “expired” can be added to the compost pile or to the soil. Compost tea can be applied to the soil or directly to the plant as a foliar spray. When it is used as a foliar application, it is best to strive for thorough leaf coverage using a fine mist. Foliar applications are best done early morning or pre-dusk to minimize the effects of UV rays. When used as a soil drench, compost tea should be applied so that it moves into the root zone. This can be accomplished by following the tea application with additional water. Use full strength or dilute1:1 (tea to water) for indoor houseplant and garden plants. Drenching a medium size plant requires about 2 cups of tea plus enough water to get the solution down to the roots. Compost tea can be diluted (up to 1:3 tea to water) to cover a larger area like a lawn. When applying to lawns, apply the tea either just before or just after watering. Apply once or twice a month throughout the growing season.

While it can contain some nutrients and micronutrients, compost tea should not be thought of as a fertilizer. A healthy, biologically diverse soil promotes more efficient nutrient cycling, which can eventually reduce the amount of fertilizer nutrients required. Compost tea should not be viewed as a fungicide or pesticide either. Research has not shown that compost teas can prevent foliar diseases through foliar sprays in a consistent fashion. Compost tea is more accurately described as a soil or foliar inoculant to be used in combination with other good organic gardening practices and inputs.

 

 

How to make a compost tea brewer for under R150

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjGZL...eature=related

 

 

 

 

 

Caution:

Use only chemical-free equipment for compost tea storage or applications, e.g. watering cans or sprayers, because residues of fungicides or herbicides are harmful to the compost tea organisms. Similarly, if you are diluting your compost tea before using it, it is best to use water that has been de-chlorinated to maintain the microbial life. Simply storing water in open containers for several hours before diluting the tea will work, as the chlorine will naturally dissipate.

 

 

 

Liquid Organic Extracts vs. Compost Teas

 

Building on the concept of compost teas as a liquid organic extract, what are some other common organic extracts used as a liquid drench or foliar spray?

 

Herbal Tea

 

Plant-based extracts—stinging nettle, horse tail, comfrey, clover. A common method is to stuff a barrel about three-quarters full of fresh green plant material, then top off the barrel with tepid water. The tea is allowed to ferment at ambient temperatures for 3 to 10 days. The finished product is strained, then diluted in portions of 1:10 or 1:5 and used as a foliar spray or soil drench. Herbal teas provide a supply of soluble nutrients as well as bioactive plant compounds.

Liquid Manures

 

Mixtures of plant and animal byproducts steeped as an extract—stinging nettle, comfrey, seaweed, fish wastes, fish meal. Liquid manures are a blend of marine products (local fish wastes, seaweed extract, kelp meal) and locally harvested herbs, soaked and fermented at ambient temperatures for 3 to 10 days. Liquid manures are prepared similarly to herbal tea—the material is fully immersed in the barrel during the fermenting period, then strained and diluted and used as a foliar spray or soil drench. Liquid manures supply soluble nutrients and bioactive compounds.

 

Manure Tea

Manure tea, often referred to as compost tea, uses the waste products of an herbivore, or a plant-eating animal, to make liquid fertilizer. Cow, chicken, horse or rabbit manure becomes the basis for the brew. The manure is left to "age" for several months, because fresh manure is too strong to put directly on plants. The ideal aging method composts the manure by adding it to a compost bin or creating a manure compost bin. Composted or aged manure is steeped like passive compost tea. Manure compost tea should never be made with the waste of a carnivore or an omnivore, because that organic matter may contain pathogens that would contaminate food grown using the tea.

 

 

Summary

Compost teas and herbal teas are tools that can be made on the farm to enhance crop fertility and to inoculate the phyllosphere and rhizosphere with soluble nutrients, beneficial microbes, and the beneficial metabolites of microbes.

Caution

 

Whereas raw animal manures are used as a compost windrow feedstock, the composting process—thermophyllic heating to 135-160° F for 10-15 days—assures pathogen reduction. The raw organic matter initially present in the compost windrow undergoes a complete transformation, with humus as an end product. Any pathogens associated with raw manures will be gone. So caution is extended: Manure teas are NOT the same thing as compost teas or compost extracts. Because of concerns over new pathogenic strains of E. coli, the author advises growers to reconsider manure teas and/or to work with a microbial lab to ensure a safe, worthwhile product.

 

Trough Method

Large-scale production of compost teas employs homemade tanks and pumps. An 8- or 12-inch-diameter PVC pipe is cut in half, drilled full of holes, and lined with burlap. Compost is placed in this makeshift trough. The PVC trough is supported above the tank, several feet in the air. The tank is filled with water, and microbial food sources are added as an amendment. A sump pump sucks the solution from the bottom of the tank and distributes the solution to a trickle line running horizontally along the top of the PVC trough filled with compost. As the solution runs through the burlap bags containing the compost, a leachate is created which then drops several feet through the air back into the open tank below. A sump pump in the bottom of the tank collects this "tea" and distributes it back through the water line at the top of the trough, and so on. Through this process, which lasts about seven days, the compost tea is recirculated, bubbled, and aerated. The purpose of the microbial food source is to grow a large population of beneficial microorganisms.

 

Commercial Tea Brewers

Commercial equipment is available for the production of brewed compost teas (see a list of suppliers below). Usually there is a compost sack or a compost leachate basket with drainage holes, either of which are used to hold a certain volume of compost. The compost-filled container is placed in a specially designed tank filled with chlorine-free water. Microbial food sources are added to the solution. A pump supplies oxygen to a specially-designed aeration device which bubbles and aerates the compost tea brewing in the tank.

 

BIM

For this secton full credit goes to Gil and Patrick from http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/ if you want to grow good organics study there site it is good info from one side to the other. For purposes of this thread i will just extract the section on BIM since i use it in all my soil mixes which we will get to still.

 

Beneficial Indigenous Microorganisms(BIM) is a fermented microbial solution that can be used for many applications around the farm. It is loaded with microbes, and is a cornerstone of Gil’s Natural Farming method. It’s an incredible tool with a myriad of applications, some of which are discussed below.

 

How to Make:

 

The idea here is to collect microbes from natural healthy ecosystems. Different areas have different types of microbes in the soil – for example an old growth forest will have microbes that grasslands don’t and vice versa. To get the greatest diversity of microbes, you want to collect them from as many different habitats as you can. For starters, at least get from forest, grassland, and the boundary area between them.

TIP:  Plant-specific microbes! If you are growing vegetables, find areas where natural veggies are thriving. If planting ornamentals, look for areas where wild ornamental type plants are. Also, target nitrogen-fixer plants since they have rhizobium bacterial strains present – legumes, as well as some other plant genuses such as Alder or Bayberry fall into this category.

Here’s how to collect microbes and make BIM:

 

Cook a carbohydrate source to use as the attractant. Rice, barley, wheat, oats, etc should work no problem, most often rice is used here in Asia.

Get a wooden box or perforated plastic box and fill bottom with rice. The rice should not be too deep, around 1 inch usually, otherwise it will take too long for all the rice to become infected. Don’t pack the rice, leave it loose to allow airflow. The whole idea is to create more space for the microbes to infect – the surface area of the rice.

Mark side of box with date and intended location.

Cover box with something that’s breathable – nylons stretched over, or newspaper, just something to keep big critters out – secure with string around top of box.

Dig a little depression in the desired location, a place with undisturbed soil where a healthy population of native microbes is likely to flourish.

TIP:  In forest, look for areas where leaves build up and mold. In grassland, look for areas where grass is most thriving.

 

Place the box in the depression and loosely cover with the dirt and leaves around it.

After 5-10 days (depending on temperature), the first colony of microbes you will notice are white molds. Then different colors like yellow, green, black, etc if you leave it much longer. Generally we harvest when it is in the white mold stage. Disregard rice if black molds have formed on it, this is generally a sign of non-beneficial microbes. In nature when there is plenty of food the beneficial microbes dominate. When there is less food, the opportunistic, non-beneficial microbes tend to dominate.

At this time, remove container from habitat and transfer rice to a plastic container/jar, and mix with sugar

Mix 1:1 with sugar. E.g. 1kg cooked rice with 1kg sugar/molasses(molasses is great and cheap)

Mash up the mixture with gloved fingers until it’s mashed but don’t overmix or you’ll destroy all the mycelia

Cover this mixture for 3-7 days.

When it is quite liquid, add 3 parts water.

TIP: 1kg=1L, so if you start with 1kg cooked rice, you’ll add 1kg sugar and then 6L water to that

 

Leave this diluted mixture for 7 days. Cover the top with something air permeable just so animals don’t get to it – cheese cloth, nylons, newspaper, etc

You should end up with a mud-like juice. Strain the liquid out of the mixture into a glass jar but don’t seal the top – let it breathe until bubbles in the bottom stop forming.

After you stop seeing bubbles forming in the jar, seal it up

Now you have your microbial inoculant for that ecosystem

Repeat the above steps for each area you are collecting microbes from. The more ecosystems you collect from, the better!

To make the final BIM product, combine all your microbial extracts. To increase efficacy, combine this concoction 1:1 with lacto serum. Lacto is the workhorse and is good to have in combination with other microbes. Now you have created your BIM inoculant!

 

How to Use:

This is a powerful tool in the natural farming arsenal, with a myriad of applications! It’s a microbial inoculant, so it can be used wherever you are trying to increase/establish populations of microbes – the most basic level of a healthy ecosystem!

 

Add 1-2tsp per gallon of water.

 

Plants

 

Apply as a foliar spray or soil drench. Greatly enhances growth and health of plants by establishing a healthy population of microbes in the soil and on leaf surfaces. Check out the benefits:

 

Transports food to roots

Builds a healthy ecosystem from the ground up. This is an invaluable job and the greatest benefit of this serum.

Aids disease resistance – fights pathogens, occupies spaces that could otherwise go to harmful bacteria/molds.

Aid composting – massively enhances compost – there will be a whole separate post on this concept

Aid organic fertilizer. Add to your nutrient solution, microbes break down organic nutrients into bio-available forms that plants can utilize directly. Another key feature

Animals

 

This can be used the same way as lacto, but it is a more diversified solution.

 

Boost growth by enhancing digestion

Inoculate farmyard (spray ground) where animals occupy to maintain healthy microbial system.

Aids disease resistance. Fight the bad bacteria!

In aquaculture

 

Add 1L BIM per 700m3 of water containing fish(pond, lake, aquaculture tank, etc). Lacto works in this application also, though not quite as well as BIM(less diversity).

Example: You have a pond that averages 20m wide by 30m long by 2m deep. So, 20 x 30 x 2 = 1200m3. In this case you would add roughly 2L of BIM or Lacto (you can dilute the 2L in a larger amount of non-chlorine water if you want more even application). No need for exact measurements, more or less won't affect it (to a point obv)

Benefits are built by the microbes:

 

Microbes digest fish wastes, cleaning up water and improving water quality.

Allows fish to grow larger due to digestive efficiency

Allows higher population of fish in the same amount of water! Literally, increases the carrying capacity of your body of water! This is awesome for aquaculture setups

 

Soils and Soil Mixes

Soil is the lifeblood of any grow , if your soil is healthy there is no possible way to not have a happy and healthy lady. Soil like life can not thrive without healthy bacteria and fungi levels.

Potting soil is a critical element in all the mixes so you can't just go to builders and buy soil... you going to have to look around and find a good supplier of potting soil. I find the smaller nurseries tend to have better potting soil stocks. Nest you will need to sieve all your potting soil as all potting soil i have some across have a large amount of large items like bark and wood which i don't like in my mixes. Those large items would only be good for plants that will live in there pots for years , we on the other hand need things that can be processed within a few months.

Now that we have a better understanding of the soil food we b and additives we can start putting mixes together.  The first 2 mixes are some of my old mixes of my blog  , i have changed many times since then but i still feel they are good mixes. After the first 2 mixes are some updated ones i have been working on

 

Reaf's Organic Promix: (250L)(original mix)

100L Coco Peat

30L Worm compost

20L Mushroom compost

30L Growlite Perlite

60L Living Soil

1kg Bone Meal

1Kg Talborne

500g volcanic Rock Dust

 

Reaf's living Soil Mix ( original mix)

60L Soil

40L Worm Compost

20L Mushroom Compost

500g Bone meal

500g Talborne

1Kg Dry dog food

500g kelp

500g lime

500g Volcanic Rock Dust

3 tbl compost starter

This mix needs to cook for 2 months minimum. ideally you also need to water this mix with molasses and AACT.

You will need to turn the soil every few weeks.

The work will be worth it , you will end up with a wonderful rich soil.

 

Outdoor Mix: (2 month cook)

7 Parts Soil

3 Parts EWC

1 Part horse manure

1 Part Mushroom Compost

1 Part Cow Manure

1 Part Coarse Coir

bone meal

lime

BIM

Lacto

Dry Dog Food

kelp

 

Seedling Mix Light ( 2 week Cook)

2 Parts Soil

1 Part EWC

2 Parts Palm Peat

2 Parts Perlite

BIM

After about 3 weeks you will need to start feeding this mix

 

Seedling Plug Method

2 mixes are needed for this method

 

1 Part Coir

1 Part Perlite

and

2 Parts Soil

1 Part EWC

2 Parts Palm Peat

2 Parts Perlite

1 Part Super Soil

BIM

 

Fill the bottom half of the pot with the super soil mix and the top half with the neutral mix. Plant in the neutral mix ad when the seedling is ready it will spread to the super soil mix

 

Light Mix Quick ( 2 Week cook )

3 Parts Potting Soil

3 Parts EWC

2 Part Course Coir

2 Part Fine Coir

2 Parts Perlite

20ml Talborne per 5L

lime

BIM

Lacto

 

This is a light mix but will not need to be cooked for long but will need to be fed

 

Light Mix ( 2 month cook)

5 Part Potting Soil

2 Parts EWC

1 Part Manure

1 Part Chicken Compost

1 Part Compost

Lime

BIM

Lacto

Rock dust

Bone meal

Dry Dog Food

Bokashi bran

 

Light feeding will be needed

 

Rich Mix( 2 month cook)

7 Parts Potting soil

3 Parts EWC

1 Part Manure

1 Part Chicken Compost

1 Part Compost

1 Mushroom Compost

2 Parts Super Soil

3 Parts 50/50 Coir

3 Parts Fine Coir

4 Parts Perlite

Lime

BIM

Lacto

Rock Dust

Rock Phosphate

Dry Dog Food

Blood Meal

Bone Meal

Bokashi Bran

Amino Acids

Fulvic Acid

Kelp Meal

Mycorrhizae

 

This mix needs to cook for as long as possible and watering with aact made from fulvic and amino acids

 

Super Soil ( 3 month cook)

4 Parts Black Potting Soil

4 Parts Red Potting Soil

1 Part Green Sand

1 Part Leaves/grass clippings

6 Parts EWC

2 Part Manure

1 Part Chicken Compost

1 Part Compost

1 Mushroom Compost

Lime

BIM

Lacto

Rock Dust

Rock Phosphate

Dry Dog Food

Blood Meal

Bone Meal

Bokashi Bran

Kelp Meal

 

Watered With aact containing fulvic and humic acids

 

 

 

 

I think i have covered most of the aspects of organic growing and i am happy to answer any questions.

I must appologize as i did this in a word document and it did nt copy paste across properly with all the font and things ..... hope it still makes sense

 

 

Cheers

Reaf

[Guest spootch]

Geepers! Would love to taste some of what u produce, this is some serious info ! Thanking you much!

[Green Leaf Organics]

@TK

Haha I think there a few people in that line to try my smoke

I hope it still makes sense to other people other than myself... I did this whole writeup and lost it the first time.... then did it in word doc and when I copied it over it didn't copy my font and things....and by then I had enough lol . If there any sections that you would like a better explanation on just let me know

 

Cheers

Reaf

[Toby]

Thanks for the great write up GLO, much appreciate it.

 

I have a word doc I copy and paste all the info I find during my research. This is good comprehensive post. 

 

I hope you dont mind using this info in my Cannapedia?  

 

PS. Its not for repost, just my internal info purposes. 

 

[Green Leaf Organics]

Thanks Toby

I don't mind at all , I can even try do one better and put the original document up for download if you want . I also don't mind if you reuse it , just give credit where credit is due. I put this info out there to help people so spreading it isn't a problem .

Cheers

Reaf

[Toby]

That would be great, thanks. Ill definitely give credit where its due. 

[Guest spootch]

Ahoy reaf, i had a quick read thru, will have read it bit by bit to really digest it all!

 

Quick one tho I see you have dog food ? Which brand specifically and I was always under the impression that dog food was full of kuk to put it frankly ? Haha ?

[Green Leaf Organics]

Use the cheapest dogfood you can find , nothing with anibiotics or anything like that. You can also use alfalfa , rabbit food. It is a lot to digest... I recommend smoking a fatty any reading it a few times lol

 

Cheers

Reaf

[Green Leaf Organics]

A good organic soil will always reward you for your efforts .

[Brown-dawg]

Thanks for making available an awesome local resource. It's all good and well to watch YouTube and read international info but finding local versions of ingredients and suppliers is challenging.

 

Thanks again for sharing knowledge.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Green Leaf Organics]

Got a few msges letting me know why signature wasn't working. I think I fixed it , if anyone else is still having hassles please let me know .

Cheers

[Justin Hemp]

Hi GLO, fantastic write up and  sure on behalf of the entire community we thank you for your input, not only on the thread but on most where you can assist.

 

Just a few questions:

Gypsum, what are your thoughts and do you ever use it in soils or microbial tea?

Aloe Vera gel or Juice, ever use it?

With regards to lime, is there really a noticeable difference between dolomite and agricultural lime? I've heard the agricultural one is preferred.

Do you have any experience with SST? Keen to try it but want to find out if it's worthwhile.

To adjust PH do you use bicarbonate for up and Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for down? On that point which is more beneficial lemon or vinegar or are they similar.

 

Once again, the little I was able to get through at this point was impressive, shot bud.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

 

[Green Leaf Organics]

Hi bud sorry for the late reply , missed this post.

 

Gypsum works well but personally I have never played around with it much as at the time of writing this the only way to get gypsum in my area was to crush ceiling boards lol . Gypsum is just calcium sulphate which personally I think would suit outdoor growing a bit better as it's main application in farms is to looses high clay content soil. In teas if you wanting a natural calcium / sulphur booster it can be used. Personally I think people add way to much calcium anyway as most of the time the calcium def is caused my FE lockout which is caused by to much P and K .

 

I have used both agricultural and dolomite lime in my mixes but over the years but I seem to have stuck on agricultural lime but both work 

 

If you have a proper soil mix you shouldn't need to ph your water. In all my years of growing I have never had the need to ph organic as your medium should do all that work. If you really need to lemon juice or vinegar work great for down and bicarb or lime work for up , not sure which is better as I don't use that much if ever but from my research it's up to what works better for you

 

In organics I live my the rule of KISS , keep it simple and don't over think it as nature will sort things out for you if you have prepared your medium properly

[Justin Hemp]

Hi bud sorry for the late reply , missed this post.

 

Gypsum works well but personally I have never played around with it much as at the time of writing this the only way to get gypsum in my area was to crush ceiling boards lol . Gypsum is just calcium sulphate which personally I think would suit outdoor growing a bit better as it's main application in farms is to looses high clay content soil. In teas if you wanting a natural calcium / sulphur booster it can be used. Personally I think people add way to much calcium anyway as most of the time the calcium def is caused my FE lockout which is caused by to much P and K .

 

I have used both agricultural and dolomite lime in my mixes but over the years but I seem to have stuck on agricultural lime but both work

 

If you have a proper soil mix you shouldn't need to ph your water. In all my years of growing I have never had the need to ph organic as your medium should do all that work. If you really need to lemon juice or vinegar work great for down and bicarb or lime work for up , not sure which is better as I don't use that much if ever but from my research it's up to what works better for you

 

In organics I live my the rule of KISS , keep it simple and don't over think it as nature will sort things out for you if you have prepared your medium properly

Thanks Bud, appreciate the response

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

 

[Smelly Joe]

@Green Leaf Organics THE SOIL YOU REFER TO IN THE MIX, WHAT IS THAT ???

[Justin Hemp]

[mention=307]Green Leaf Organics[/mention] THE SOIL YOU REFER TO IN THE MIX, WHAT IS THAT ???

Look towards the top of the post, the is a variety of mixes so you can put together your own "soil"

Sent from my ALE-L02 using Tapatalk

[Smelly Joe]

I thought that much thanx. Im getting back into Organic growing and I am nit sure where to start. But I feel that if I start with this way I should be OK with growing again. I've been having some crappy luck the past few grows due to not keeping to Organic ways and trying new things which I knew would come back and bite me in the ass. No cure for stupidity 

 

 

[Zaskar09]

Morning all,

Sorry for the necro. When you say Talborne in your soil mix which one are you referring to? I assume (presume?) it’s the Vita Veg 6:3:4 but would just like to make sure.

Might I just add, you guys (organic cannabis growers) are way ahead of the organic vegetable growers in SA. I’ve been searching literally for weeks for a South African specific mix that I can use for seedling propagation until a friend referred me to this forum. 

Thanks for the write-up!

Z

[Green Leaf Organics]

2 hours ago, Zaskar09 said:

Morning all,

Sorry for the necro. When you say Talborne in your soil mix which one are you referring to? I assume (presume?) it’s the Vita Veg 6:3:4 but would just like to make sure.

Might I just add, you guys (organic cannabis growers) are way ahead of the organic vegetable growers in SA. I’ve been searching literally for weeks for a South African specific mix that I can use for seedling propagation until a friend referred me to this forum. 

Thanks for the write-up!

Z

Hi bud 

Glad you found the forums . cannabis growing is actually really helping the agricultural fields , especially in the getting the most out of small spaces . For propergation less is always more , seedlings can be very sensitive 

I use vita fruit and flower but i have had good results with bio ocean as well

Edited April 25, 2019 by Green Leaf Organics

[Zaskar09]

@Green Leaf Organics  I’m going to keep bugging you as I work through this. You mentioned a blog in your write-up, would you mind providing a link?

[Green Leaf Organics]

Dont think that blog still exists , sorry bud 

[Green Leaf Organics]

It appears I was wrong... a blast from the past...

http://reafermansgarden.blogspot.com/?m=1

[Zaskar09]

It’s not a bad thing if there’s a few earthworms in my super soil right? I make my own ewc and I guess I missed a few cocoons when I harvested my castings.

Do you think they’ll survive the cook?

[Green Leaf Organics]

Not at all , I always have a few around 

[Zaskar09]

Howdy,

Does anybody know who stocks the Growlite Perlite and at what cost? I can’t seem to find it anywhere.

Also, what makes this better than regular perlite?

Thanks!