Thanks buddyonce a week.
try to shoot for the hydrosolate instead of the emulsion, it's better. No metals.Hi to all who have contributed to this excellent thread (and thanks for resurrecting it, DonBrennon)
I have a total SST noob question: I have a packet of mixed green manure seeds - could anyone comment on whether this would be suitable for an SST? It contains fenugreek, oats, sub clover, wooly pod vetch, french white millet, buckwheat and broccoli rapa. I also have straight alfalfa seeds.
My first foray into organics I just made my first AACT (+ kelp and fish emulsion) which bubbled up beautifully and stank like dank dirty earth. So hope I can get this SST concept right first time round too.
TIA
NO!!!!!!!!, don't ferment it, it turns into an herbicide, (acetic acid) which equals DEATH for your ladies.Anybody got experience with using a fermented sst? I've seen it claimed it supercharges your sst so you can keep it for long periods and use smaller diluted amounts as it's supposed to be concentrated?
I can't imagine watching a plant die like that, talk about heart break.NO!!!!!!!!, don't ferment it, it turns into an herbicide, (acetic acid) which equals DEATH for your ladies.
this is from another site, that an unfortunate grower learned the hard way.
So there came a point in time a few months back I was busy with other things and I had a gallon of barley tea ready to go. Still had the barley in the water, i.e. it hadn't been strained and drained. I had also added kelp meal for its enzymes as well as aloe vera and coconut water for their unique enzymes, PGRs, etc. I was really going to hit it out of the park!
I stuck a cheap (like $8.00) pump with a $.89 airstone and set it aside for a few days. When I was ready to hit the plants with this 'super-duper tea' I smelled it and I couldn't detect any fermentation at all. Nothing.
What I hadn't factored into the deal was Acetic acid. This acid is a herbicide sold as 'horticultural vinegar' and it does what is claimed - it kills leaves and branches. You're not supposed to saturate the soil with it. In effect that is what I did through my ignorance - dumped Acetic acid on the roots.
That plant was dead within 36 hours - finis, ovah, gone and all the 'flushing' in the world wasn't going to fix this problem. Lesson learned.
I had to do that once, back in 2002 or 2003 maybe...I can't imagine watching a plant die like that, talk about heart break.
Gil carandang promotes fermenting them. I have not tried it, but I can't imagine fermentation being a good thing for enzymes and plant growth hormones.NO!!!!!!!!, don't ferment it, it turns into an herbicide, (acetic acid) which equals DEATH for your ladies.
this is from another site, that an unfortunate grower learned the hard way.
So there came a point in time a few months back I was busy with other things and I had a gallon of barley tea ready to go. Still had the barley in the water, i.e. it hadn't been strained and drained. I had also added kelp meal for its enzymes as well as aloe vera and coconut water for their unique enzymes, PGRs, etc. I was really going to hit it out of the park!
I stuck a cheap (like $8.00) pump with a $.89 airstone and set it aside for a few days. When I was ready to hit the plants with this 'super-duper tea' I smelled it and I couldn't detect any fermentation at all. Nothing.
What I hadn't factored into the deal was Acetic acid. This acid is a herbicide sold as 'horticultural vinegar' and it does what is claimed - it kills leaves and branches. You're not supposed to saturate the soil with it. In effect that is what I did through my ignorance - dumped Acetic acid on the roots.
That plant was dead within 36 hours - finis, ovah, gone and all the 'flushing' in the world wasn't going to fix this problem. Lesson learned.
really?Gil carandang promotes fermenting them. I have not tried it, but I can't imagine fermentation being a good thing for enzymes and plant growth hormones.
http://theunconventionalfarmer.com/sprouted-seed-tea/
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AFAIK, this is something new from Gil. I don't remember seeing that on the site before. I'm not sure what the benefits of fermenting SST's would be?really?
hmmm, well, seems like playing with fire to me... sorta risky
I tend to think that a fermentation state [homolactic] is just as biologically "alive" as an aerated SST, but the differences in organisms and the ability to consume less energy in fermentation are two points of emphasis....AFAIK, this is something new from Gil. I don't remember seeing that on the site before. I'm not sure what the benefits of fermenting SST's would be?
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My concern is what does it take to denature an enzyme? Could the low pH or the alcohol (organic solvent) denature the enzymes? Would we be losing some of the plant growth hormones and regulators in the fermentation process? I'd love to know your thoughts. This is above my paygrade, and I haven't had a lot of time to dig.I tend to think that a fermentation state [homolactic] is just as biologically "alive" as an aerated SST, but the differences in organisms and the ability to consume less energy in fermentation are two points of emphasis....
Looking thru the scientific literature most identification of anearobic or faculative organisms is done in the realm of: silage production, food fermentation and bio reactor slurries...Even then I am having trouble finding literature where they are strictly concentrating on identifying particular microlife other than the "standard" in cases of food and fuel production, where one organsim is often identified as the catalyst....and therefore most of the concentration of study in most cases....
In fermenation, the caloric values for energy conversion are about 1/4 of what aerated breakdown needs...this in theory especially with homolactic fermentation, where most of the mass is left, could lead to more enzyme production as a increased food source for faculative yeasts, other fungi, actinomycetes and even anaerobic bacteria too...Just one theory, somewhat speculative, since it isn't entirely data driven....more just theoretical analysis of enzyme reactions...
What do you find particularly troubling about the ferment process and SST's?
Low pH, low DO?
Fermentation and Aeration of these "plant materials" also I think tend to be heavily influenced by their own epiphytic communities and this can vary significantly even with SST's I would imagine! Not said enough...something gleaned from silage studies...
Thanks! much to work with....all valid concerns too...as far as denaturing....Two things here...length of ferment and the existence of these guys and gals: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alcohol_dehydrogenase...My concern is what does it take to denature an enzyme? Could the low pH or the alcohol (organic solvent) denature the enzymes? Would we be losing some of the plant growth hormones and regulators in the fermentation process? I'd love to know your thoughts. This is above my paygrade, and I haven't had a lot of time to dig.
Many thanks!
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