Organic Toker
Active Member
Heya RIU,
A big green hello to all from myself. It has been a pleasure being here, lots of new info and experienced grow journals shedding light for anybody who's in the dark. I would like to contribute from my experience and knowledge.
So am gonna start with my favorite bio-control agent- Pseudomonas fluorescence. Pf is a very helpful organism which is widely available around the world as bio control agents for fungal and bacterial diseases. Various strains have various mechanisms to stop the dreadful fungus causing rot to your seedlings/leaves/whole plant. However it produces a substance called "Pyoverdin" which inhibits the bad guys from eating up your garden.
Pf is a bacteria which depletes the iron uptake of other pathogens(read disease causing organisms) and protects your plants like a knight with a great shield. It is available as powders and liquid. It is also said to produce many enzymes which also aid in plant growth. The bacteria stays dormant/active depending upon the quality of the product you are using and the carrier materials used. It can be used in the described methods and many more DIY styles. The products available in the market contain Pf incorporated into powders or solutions.
Seed treatment- The seeds can be treated with diluted liquid Pf solution prior to seeding. Soak the seeds for 2-3 hours (a day wont hurt) to ensure Pf kills any fungal pathogens growing on your seed or the potting mix. I myself has got good control over root rot with the help of Pf. If preserving seeds are the aim, powder form can be mixed along with the seeds. Various companies have various recommendations.
Seedling treatment: The pf solution/slurry(if powder is used) is kept in a tray where you can dip your seedlings for 2-3 hours (a day is okay) and plant in your grow medium. Just forget about the rot unless your grow medium is really pathetic. If so, spray the Pf solution in your growing media and ensure the last man standing is the knight! Drying in the shade before planting is also advised but it depends on the climate you are growing. The idea is to make sure you have Pf colonies thriving more near to your Rhizosphere, the hang out place near your roots.
Foliar sprays- Foliar sprays are a best way to keep your plants healthy from bacterial as well as fungus attacks. Mix 30-40 ml of Pf inoculum with 1 liter of water and add a sticking substance like (jaggery or rice gruel or soap) and spray it on your plants. Don't wait for any disease symptom to appear and plan ahead if your grow is moisture rich. Spraying in the late evening after 6 ensures better protection. The flowers before harvest can also be given a spray so that mold stays away and allows you to dry and cure your buds with less risk. Although no scientific studies have been shown about ill effects of Pf when smoked, it has been proven that fruits and vegetables are safe to eat even with Pf still on it. So a week before harvest will give good results.
Root drench- You can add Pf to any of your teas or compost which you give as a root drench. A little sugar solution can be prepared and the Pf grown in it for 3-5 days before adding to teas. I use a slurry of cooked rice+ water in a blender to grow my Pf. A little warmth will give good results to them, shaking a bit and aeration by a tube attached (with a cotton plug as filter) on to the cap of the bottle. Maybe I can post some pics in DIY section
Cloning- Pf can be added along with the plain water you are using for clones. I haven't attempted cloning yet, so my comments on this will be added once am done. Use boiled and cooled water to ensure your clones are sterile.
Pseudomonas Florescence is/was a naturally occurring beneficial bacteria till the chemical guys showed up. It has been there feeding on pathogens which destroys your crop for so many years. All we are trying to do is repopulate them in our garden. Increased growth of Pf ensures that your crops, may it be Cannabis or any other plant will remain healthy till the day of harvest and after. Harvest will have longer shelf life as Pf fights off rot and decay. But don't assume things in your garden won't decay too, those are another type of microbes which don't eat live plants! I use Pf literally like a fungicide(heck it is one!) because I spray it on my tools,trays and everything I garden with.
Note: Always sanitize your hands before and after using any bio-fertilizers/manures.
I was not a good farmer till I called up the Knight. All the information here has been upon my experience, my studies and articles from around the corner of the world. My discipline of study was Microbiology and that's why am an organic farmer(always wanted to say so; forgive me am still learning to be)
My knowledge is not complete and it won't be till am dead(compost me please). So please feel free to correct me if am wrong. I'll be happy to help you out here
Love and Peace,
Toker.
A big green hello to all from myself. It has been a pleasure being here, lots of new info and experienced grow journals shedding light for anybody who's in the dark. I would like to contribute from my experience and knowledge.
So am gonna start with my favorite bio-control agent- Pseudomonas fluorescence. Pf is a very helpful organism which is widely available around the world as bio control agents for fungal and bacterial diseases. Various strains have various mechanisms to stop the dreadful fungus causing rot to your seedlings/leaves/whole plant. However it produces a substance called "Pyoverdin" which inhibits the bad guys from eating up your garden.
Pf is a bacteria which depletes the iron uptake of other pathogens(read disease causing organisms) and protects your plants like a knight with a great shield. It is available as powders and liquid. It is also said to produce many enzymes which also aid in plant growth. The bacteria stays dormant/active depending upon the quality of the product you are using and the carrier materials used. It can be used in the described methods and many more DIY styles. The products available in the market contain Pf incorporated into powders or solutions.
Seed treatment- The seeds can be treated with diluted liquid Pf solution prior to seeding. Soak the seeds for 2-3 hours (a day wont hurt) to ensure Pf kills any fungal pathogens growing on your seed or the potting mix. I myself has got good control over root rot with the help of Pf. If preserving seeds are the aim, powder form can be mixed along with the seeds. Various companies have various recommendations.
Seedling treatment: The pf solution/slurry(if powder is used) is kept in a tray where you can dip your seedlings for 2-3 hours (a day is okay) and plant in your grow medium. Just forget about the rot unless your grow medium is really pathetic. If so, spray the Pf solution in your growing media and ensure the last man standing is the knight! Drying in the shade before planting is also advised but it depends on the climate you are growing. The idea is to make sure you have Pf colonies thriving more near to your Rhizosphere, the hang out place near your roots.
Foliar sprays- Foliar sprays are a best way to keep your plants healthy from bacterial as well as fungus attacks. Mix 30-40 ml of Pf inoculum with 1 liter of water and add a sticking substance like (jaggery or rice gruel or soap) and spray it on your plants. Don't wait for any disease symptom to appear and plan ahead if your grow is moisture rich. Spraying in the late evening after 6 ensures better protection. The flowers before harvest can also be given a spray so that mold stays away and allows you to dry and cure your buds with less risk. Although no scientific studies have been shown about ill effects of Pf when smoked, it has been proven that fruits and vegetables are safe to eat even with Pf still on it. So a week before harvest will give good results.
Root drench- You can add Pf to any of your teas or compost which you give as a root drench. A little sugar solution can be prepared and the Pf grown in it for 3-5 days before adding to teas. I use a slurry of cooked rice+ water in a blender to grow my Pf. A little warmth will give good results to them, shaking a bit and aeration by a tube attached (with a cotton plug as filter) on to the cap of the bottle. Maybe I can post some pics in DIY section
Cloning- Pf can be added along with the plain water you are using for clones. I haven't attempted cloning yet, so my comments on this will be added once am done. Use boiled and cooled water to ensure your clones are sterile.
Pseudomonas Florescence is/was a naturally occurring beneficial bacteria till the chemical guys showed up. It has been there feeding on pathogens which destroys your crop for so many years. All we are trying to do is repopulate them in our garden. Increased growth of Pf ensures that your crops, may it be Cannabis or any other plant will remain healthy till the day of harvest and after. Harvest will have longer shelf life as Pf fights off rot and decay. But don't assume things in your garden won't decay too, those are another type of microbes which don't eat live plants! I use Pf literally like a fungicide(heck it is one!) because I spray it on my tools,trays and everything I garden with.
Note: Always sanitize your hands before and after using any bio-fertilizers/manures.
I was not a good farmer till I called up the Knight. All the information here has been upon my experience, my studies and articles from around the corner of the world. My discipline of study was Microbiology and that's why am an organic farmer(always wanted to say so; forgive me am still learning to be)
My knowledge is not complete and it won't be till am dead(compost me please). So please feel free to correct me if am wrong. I'll be happy to help you out here
Love and Peace,
Toker.