OK so now, I'm going to try my best to explain how I think these things work so well! I'm not a scientist, or a biologist, I didn't create these methods, so I don't have all the facts! what I do have is my experience, and what I've been able to observe!
but the way it works so well, from what I've come to understand is from a few main things...
1 would be the sip itself, most soil growers have the main issue or over or under watering! the sip solves that's and perfects it! this allows the soil to drink as much as it wants when ever it wants!
2 is the top is dominated by a fungus, called mycelium! which grows on top of what is basically cow shit! it also creates an environment very similar to the rain forest! at any time if you peal back the trash bag, you can see water dripping from the top of the bag! it stays super moist 24/7! but make sure you never top water or you could be looking at a fungus gnat problem, I've been there and done that!
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3 the bottom is dominated by bacteria, which is what em1 is, it's effective microorganisms! basically life! this is where I believe most of the magic happens! em1 is the gas that makes the car run! it fill the a sip with tons and tons of life! without out it none of this works! I fill the rez with around a cup of em1, and the rest water! make sure you expand it! if not then it can be very pricey! but 3/4 cup can be expanded into 1 gallon!
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4 is where it all comes together! neither the top or bottom is perfect for any plant by them selves, but the middle is a perfect breeding ground, for what I'd assume to be billions of types of microscopic life! this mix creates one of the most important parts of this entire system! with the top being fungal dominated, and the bottom being bacteria dominated! this method has taken my skills as a grower, and put me to shame! I couldnt grow this well with all the money in the world!
best part is, anyone can do this, and it's super easy! and way cheaper than any other method I've ever found! especially over time! bc nothing is wasted, and everything gets reused or recycled!