Building A Better Soil: Demonstrations & Discussions Of Organic Soil Recipes

[TheRoach]

anredera cordifolia, the Madeira vine, is used locally to heal broken bones and inflammation. The aerial tubers can become new plants. Any growing tip can turn into leaves or roots.
I blended some of the aerial tubers and mixed with water to obtain the saponins, a natural wetting agent for the soil.

 

[ClosedCircuit]

Soylent chirp.

I believe it is perfectly ethical to raise animals as a crop.

Silk worm larvae are raised to be boiled before maturity for their silky cocoons. Similar ethics.

Sunflowers and meal worms are rasied as bird food - not much ethically different than soil food.

Thought you were going to go all free form poetry on us for a second.

 

[iwltfum]

Here's an interesting soil amendment:
"Azomite- complex silica ore (hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate) with an elevated ratio of trace minerals unique to the Utah mineral deposit from which it is mined. When the ash from a volcanic eruption filled a nearby seabed an estimated 30 million years ago, the combination of seawater, fed by hundreds of mineral-rich rivers and the rare earth minerals present in the volcanic ash, created the deposit’s distinctive composition."


Mineral Analysis (Bold: more than .1%)

Alumina 11.43%
Barium Oxide .09%
Calcium oxide 3.67%
Carbon .61%
Magnesium .78%
Manganese oxide .02%
Nitrogen .15%
Oxygen .73%
Phosphorus pentoxide .15%
Potassium oxide 5.23%
Silica 65.8%
Sodium oxide 2.07%
Strontium oxide .03%
Sulfur trioxide .21%
Titania .2%


Additional Element Analysis (PPM) (Bold: more than 5PPM):

Antimony 0.4
Arsenic 1.1
Beryllium 3.3
Bismuth 3.5
Boron 29
Bromine 6.6
Cadmium 0.3
Cerium 230
Cesium 21.7
Chromium 6.1
Cobalt 22.3
Copper 12
Dysprosium 2.7
Erbium 1.7
Europium 3.7
Fluorine 900
Gadolinium 3.7
Gallium 15
Germanium 6.1
Gold 0.005
Hafnium 21
Holmium 0.6
Indium 0.01
Iodine 2.2
Lanthanum 220
Lead 6.2
Lithium 859
Lutetium 0.5
Mercury (Hg) 0.01
Molybdenum 12.6
Neodymium 5.1
Nickel 2.6
Niobium 40
Oxygen 7253
Palladium 0.008
Praseodymium 27
Rhenium 0.011
Rhodium 0.002
Rubidium 325
Ruthenium 0.013
Samarium 6.2
Scandium 2.7
Selenium 0.7
Silver 0.005
Strontium 380
Sulfur 240
Tantalum 2.7
Tellurium 0.022
Terbium 0.8
Thallium 5.9
Thorium 180
Thulium 0.6
Tin 2.9
Tungsten 26
Uranium 4
Vanadium 7.8
Ytterbium 1.4
Yttrium 23
Zinc 64.3
Zirconium 62.7

(that's the whole alphabet except for JKQW and X!)

 

[94xjjohn]

The joke Roach:

Soylent Green was a movie about making food for people made of people. Soylent Chirp would be food for people (or soil) made of chirpers.

Not so funny when you try to explain it.

 

[SweetSue]

Azomite, if I recall correctly, is an aluminosilicate clay. As you can see from the list there are a number of heavy metals you really don't want in your cannabis grow. That's a personal opinion, obviously others may disagree and it's widely used. I'd be cautious about the metals.

 

[iwltfum]

Azomite, if I recall correctly, is an aluminosilicate clay. As you can see from the list there are a number of heavy metals you really don't want in your cannabis grow. That's a personal opinion, obviously others may disagree and it's widely used. I'd be cautious about the metals.

Good insight. Several of those metals stood out to me as ones that soils often lack. Like boron and molybdenum. It seems a little heavy on the copper and zinc, but used in small amounts...?
The theory is that a soil that is more diverse in minerals boosts pest resistance, keeps the pH more stable, and increases the uptake of nutrients to the plants.

EDIT: I kind of took alot of those low PPM numbers to be somewhat negligible. I mean if you added 10ml of azomite to a liter of water. According to EPA regulations, there would be a "safe" amount of arsenic in the water to drink it without any ill effects. The application directions from the companies that sell it suggest much less than that (1/8tsp per gallon). I'm not planning on using it in my water, I just wanted to keep the numbers in similar units.

 

[SweetSue]

anredera cordifolia, the Madeira vine, is used locally to heal broken bones and inflammation. The aerial tubers can become new plants. Any growing tip can turn into leaves or roots.
I blended some of the aerial tubers and mixed with water to obtain the saponins, a natural wetting agent for the soil.

You're just being way too brilliant Roach. They won't let me give you more rep points.

I watched a short video just now on how the Madeira vine has become invasive in Australia. Interesting. It mentioned that the tubers that give Australians such grief are, in fact eaten by South Americans (origin of the vine), which left me wondering why Australians weren't exploiting the plant instead of fighting with it? Now you tell us you can extract saponins as well? We have so much to learn.

Cannabelle posted a video lately of a professor in Hawaii speaking on cultural use of Hawaiian flora, and he mentioned that the common morning glory is also used to heal. What an amazing world! So much wonder in the commonplace.

 

[94xjjohn]

It's only commonplace until we study it. Then it's Magic, SweetSue.

 

[SweetSue]

Good insight. Several of those metals stood out to me as ones that soils often lack. Like boron and molybdenum. It seems a little heavy on the copper and zinc, but used in small amounts...?
The theory is that a soil that is more diverse in minerals boosts pest resistance, keeps the pH more stable, and increases the uptake of nutrients to the plants.

I agree, diversity is a good thing. Used in small amounts this may well be an excellent addition. Keep in mind though, that we ingest this plant. Always err on the side of caution. There are many growers who swear on Azomite, and with good cause. That's a lot of power for the punch. But do you really need the punch?

I work with the Clackamas Coots soil, which I consider a gold standard, but I really appreciate the many different ways we build our soils. Even I began playing with modifying my soil mix this year, to get a lighter soil that I could build up over time. Not sure yet whether that was a good idea, but my basic thought was that I'd overdone the mix and it would be easier to add in than to take out. What I'm learning is that less is often more.

 

[TheRoach]

The joke Roach:

Soylent Green was a movie about making food for people made of people. Soylent Chirp would be food for people (or soil) made of chirpers.

Not so funny when you try to explain it.

Thank you! Reps+

 

[SweetSue]

It's only commonplace until we study it. Then it's Magic, SweetSue.

That's a delightful take on it John.

 

[SweetSue]

Roach, may I repost your share on cricket poo? I'd like to put it in my grow journal.

 

[TheRoach]

You're just being way too brilliant Roach. They won't let me give you more rep points.

I watched a short video just now on how the Madeira vine has become invasive in Australia. Interesting. It mentioned that the tubers that give Australians such grief are, in fact eaten by South Americans (origin of the vine), which left me wondering why Australians weren't exploiting the plant instead of fighting with it? Now you tell us you can extract saponins as well? We have so much to learn.

Cannabelle posted a video lately of a professor in Hawaii speaking on cultural use of Hawaiian flora, and he mentioned that the common morning glory is also used to heal. What an amazing world! So much wonder in the commonplace.

Yes lots of saponins and growth regulators too! The aerial tubers are the "seed" of this plant as it rarely reproduces by seeds. The tubers have little growing tips that can turn into roots or leaves, depending on how the tuber lands when it falls from the vine. That made me think that the tubers had to have lots of growth regulators. I applied the Anredera drench last night and was a little concerned about the thickness of the liquid (very gooey) but 12 hrs later the plants look fantastic. They even grew faster since then. The leaves are all perky praying for sun!
I will continue to use this drench as it seems to help the plants.
Last night I was very excited about my experiment, I am almost 100% sure I am the first human being to add Madeira saponins to cannabis haha, I love being the first doing interesting stuff!
By the way, did you know you can make LSD from morning glory? Mesoamericans used it extensively and called it Ololiuki that means round thing, because of the round seeds.

It's only commonplace until we study it. Then it's Magic, SweetSue.

Mmhm, I had the impression things were the other way around. It's magic until we understand how it works, then it becomes science.
Have you heard the myth of the flying dutch?

I agree, diversity is a good thing. Used in small amounts this may well be an excellent addition. Keep in mind though, that we ingest this plant. Always err on the side of caution. There are many growers who swear on Azomite, and with good cause. That's a lot of power for the punch. But do you really need the punch?

I work with the Clackamas Coots soil, which I consider a gold standard, but I really appreciate the many different ways we build our soils. Even I began playing with modifying my soil mix this year, to get a lighter soil that I could build up over time. Not sure yet whether that was a good idea, but my basic thought was that I'd overdone the mix and it would be easier to add in than to take out. What I'm learning is that less is often more.

It was my impression too that the CC mix may be a bit heavy on nutrients, but hoped the soil composting should do something to remediate that.

Regards.

 

[TheRoach]

Roach, may I repost your share on cricket poo? I'd like to put it in my grow journal.

I would be honored.

 

[SweetSue]

I would be honored.

Thank you. I assure you, the honor is all mine. I seem to have found myself surrounded by the most amazing people whose thirst for knowledge is second only to their drive to share what they learn. We're a wonderous cauldron of minds trying to further the cause of growing the best medication we can with the least stress.

I'm honored to be counted among your numbers.

 

[iwltfum]

Seems like alot on experts of this thread. Anyone mind looking over this recipe for a bloom soil that I built (on paper) last night?

The Bloom soil (24.8gallons total) The ratio should be close to 4-7-3 if my calculations are right.

castings (1-0-0) 11cups (0.69gal)
fish meal (4-0-0) 0.75cups
rock phos (0-3-0) 2cups
kelp (1-0-10) 0.4cups
bone meal (3-15-0) 0.25cups
seaweed (1-1-16) 0.5cups
P guano (.5-12-.2) 1.5cups
lime 0.5cups
inoculant mix 45cc
perlite 80cups (5gal)
recycled soil 300cups (18.75gal) (it's an pile of soil in the yard that I've been adding to for several years. coco/perlite mostly, with the occasional watermelon rind or pile of corn husks that has been tossed in now and then)

I was able to find lots of good stuff online, much more so than in the store. I figured there wouldn't be any harm in adding this new stuff a couple days into the cooking period. How do these additions sound:
1cup/10gal crab meal
1 cup/10gal glacial rock dust
1lb/10gal alfalfa meal
1lb/cubic meter granular azomite (still thinking about it). For my 25 gallon soil recipe, I would add about 1/10 of a lb (1.6oz) (6TBLS)

 

[ClosedCircuit]

I was able to find lots of good stuff online, much more so than in the store. I figured there wouldn't be any harm in adding this new stuff a couple days into the cooking period. How do these additions sound:
1cup/10gal crab meal
1 cup/10gal glacial rock dust
1lb/10gal alfalfa meal
1lb/cubic meter granular azomite (still thinking about it). For my 25 gallon soil recipe, I would add about 1/10 of a lb (1.6oz) (6TBLS)

That's definitely going to get you a step up from where you were. You honestly wont know until you try a few different recipes. But Id say you are at a pretty good starting point.

 

[ClosedCircuit]

if anyone is interested I found the website for one of the mentioned Georgia farmers

Bricko Farms home of Compostost

Unfortunately they don't see the Kricket Krap by mail, but that Compostost amendment looks pretty interesting:

The Original Healthful Soil Amender
Cow Manure, Wood Fiber, Leaf Mold, and Grass Clippings

The gardener's signature soil amender, Compostost brand plant food is much more than your garden variety dirt. This rich loam growing supplement has been perfected through years of study to make plants, lawn, and gardens thrive. Developed from composting techniques advanced in the '60s, we have not altered the organic process. Instead, we have applied science and experimentation to speed up nature's proven way. Don't settle for lifeless rock other's call compost. Get the real nutrients your lawn and garden needs from Compostost!

I'm going to keep looking for Cricket manure products to see what they are all about. Thanks Roach for sharing!

 

[TheRoach]

I will buy the crickets and the rockdust by the end of the month. That one of my favorite foods is also a source of compost was a great surprise.
The Anredera had a great effect on my plants, it made them grow faster and cured a slight mag deficiency they had.
I will do more research and look for cricket compost in the net and share the source.

 

[TheRoach]

if anyone is interested I found the website for one of the mentioned Georgia farmers

Bricko Farms home of Compostost

Unfortunately they don't see the Kricket Krap by mail, but that Compostost amendment looks pretty interesting:



I'm going to keep looking for Cricket manure products to see what they are all about. Thanks Roach for sharing!

You are very welcome my friend, I'm glad I can give you something in return for your help!
Also guys, if any of you is interested in growing your own Anredera, I would be glad to send you some tubers by mail so you can propagate them. They are the size of whole peanuts and very resilient to rough handling and dry conditions. They can be sent by regular mail in an envelope with bubbles.
You can pm me if you will want some Anredera "seeds".
Regards.