Recycled Organic Living Soil (ROLS) and No Till Thread

[smokey the cat]

Kelp is pretty cheap.... I know its great to grow your own everything, but I think you would have to grow a shitload of kelp to get just a measly pound of meal.

Sheeeeeiiiit... I haven't bought any kelp yet.

I just nip over to the beach and gather some. I have no idea if it's the right sort of kelp, I just grab a couple of bag fulls of fresh brown kelp washed up below the high tide mark.

I've tried dosing with a fresh kelp tea - not sure if it's doing anything special yet. But the liquid sure can get pretty gloopy after a couple of day's soaking.

It vanishes fast in my compost bin - worms seem to make it vanish in a couple of weeks.

Tried drying some to make a dried kelp that I could use like you folks do with kelp meal, but more than a day outside in the spring weather it kept getting rained on and the fronds would hydrate itself quick smart, lol.

 

[Shwagbag]

What is everyone's favorite added carbohydrate?

My first runs with cannabis were with FFOF soil and Aurora Innovations Buddha Bloom with some added lime. I was pleasantly surprised at my first run, pretty amazed actually. Buddha Bloom has the carbs and nutrients all in one soluble organic fertilizer.

Since then I've gone to my own soil mixture after tweaking Sub's mix over the past few years. Its adequately inoculated during the mixing process and after, occasionally throughout the flowering cycle.... But I haven't used carbs in a while, something I feel may work really well to help feed the soil and perhaps promote enhanced vigor.

I top dressed with dry molasses for awhile... I could physically see micro growth on top of the soil, which was cool. I just don't know how well it works down in the root zone. I think I'm going to include some dried molasses in my next mix, but in the meantime I'd like some suggestions for feeding carbs to the soil.

I've used molasses in the past, but man the stuff is kind of a PITA to work with, so messy and thick. For my vegetable garden teas I would dilute the liquids (Netptunes harvest w/ molasses) in warm water and pre mix 6 at a time, so it was easier to work with when the time came for brewing.

I'm just curious what y'all are doing for carbs.

Thanks!

 

[greasemonkeymann]

What is everyone's favorite added carbohydrate?

My first runs with cannabis were with FFOF soil and Aurora Innovations Buddha Bloom with some added lime. I was pleasantly surprised at my first run, pretty amazed actually. Buddha Bloom has the carbs and nutrients all in one soluble organic fertilizer.

Since then I've gone to my own soil mixture after tweaking Sub's mix over the past few years. Its adequately inoculated during the mixing process and after, occasionally throughout the flowering cycle.... But I haven't used carbs in a while, something I feel may work really well to help feed the soil and perhaps promote enhanced vigor.

I top dressed with dry molasses for awhile... I could physically see micro growth on top of the soil, which was cool. I just don't know how well it works down in the root zone. I think I'm going to include some dried molasses in my next mix, but in the meantime I'd like some suggestions for feeding carbs to the soil.

I've used molasses in the past, but man the stuff is kind of a PITA to work with, so messy and thick. For my vegetable garden teas I would dilute the liquids (Netptunes harvest w/ molasses) in warm water and pre mix 6 at a time, so it was easier to work with when the time came for brewing.

I'm just curious what y'all are doing for carbs.

Thanks!

just speaking for myself, but I don't add any carbs, unless you count the molasses I use for my AACTs but i'm thinking the microbes eat most of that, at least that's my understanding of it, other than that, I don't add anything other than topdresses or the occasional (maybe 3 times, or often less, a grow) nutrient teas. I really love molasses but I have bad luck using it any other way than a carb for the AACTs. Never used dry molasses, isn't that alfalfa soaked in molasses?
Can't really see the advantage of it, in a good amended soil. Could be wrong...

 

[Shwagbag]

The dry molasses I've used was soy bean meal soaked in molasses, but I'm sure its available in different forms.

If you're using teas, then you're using carbs from where I'm sitting. You're essentially inoculating water, feeding the inoculation carbs and then releasing them into your soil.

I love the use of teas in my outdoor garden, but as much as I've tried using them indoors I just don't like the work and mess of it.... Which is why I kinda like the dry molasses.

The advantage of dry molasses, or at least I presume, is that I can inoculate the soil, then feed the the soil a clean (dry) form of molasses. Preferably, top dress with dry molasses, then inoculate. I presume it works because I can see some fuzzy shit growing on the molasses within a couple days after watering. I'm planning to add a bunch to my compost piles next spring and I hope it will get'er'cookin', perhaps even into my next indoor flowering soil mix.

The main issue I have with dry molasses is that its pricey b/c I can't find it locally. It really sucks paying a premium for good organic ingredients for soil. I don't live far from significant farming communities, yet a diverse selection of quality organic ingredients is an hour or more drive away from me.

I've considered Bud Candy for its additional ingredients besides carbs, but I don't know if I can justify the cost, and I don't want to excessively influence the naturally occurring properties i.e. odor, flavor - that distinguish the various strains of cannabis I'm cultivating.

So, I've heard corn syrup, maple syrup, sucrose etc. are acceptable forms of carbohydrates for plants. What say my peers about the other various forms of carbohydrates that are readily usable by beneficial bacteria and fungi?

Love this thread!

 

[greasemonkeymann]

The dry molasses I've used was soy bean meal soaked in molasses, but I'm sure its available in different forms.

If you're using teas, then you're using carbs from where I'm sitting. You're essentially inoculating water, feeding the inoculation carbs and then releasing them into your soil.

I love the use of teas in my outdoor garden, but as much as I've tried using them indoors I just don't like the work and mess of it.... Which is why I kinda like the dry molasses.

The advantage dry molasses, or at least I presume, is that I can inoculate the soil, then feed the the soil a clean (dry) form of molasses. Preferably, top dress with dry molasses, then inoculate. I presume it works because I can see some fuzzy shit growing on the molasses within a couple days after watering. I'm planning to add a bunch to my compost piles next spring and I hope it will get'er'cookin', perhaps even into my next indoor flowering soil mix.

The main issue I have with dry molasses is that its pricey b/c I can't find it locally. It really sucks paying a premium for good organic ingredients for soil. I don't live far from significant farming communities, yet a diverse selection of quality organic ingredients is an hour or more drive away from me.

I've considered Bud Candy for its additional ingredients besides carbs, but I don't know if I can justify the cost, and I don't want to excessively influence the naturally occurring properties i.e. odor, flavor - that distinguish the various strains of cannabis I'm cultivating.

So, I've heard corn syrup, maple syrup, sucrose etc. are acceptable forms of carbohydrates for plants. What say my peers about the other various forms of carbohydrates that are readily usable by beneficial bacteria and fungi?

Love this thread!

I do see your point, but in my mind isn't most if not all of the molasses being consumed by the microbes in the AACT? I just don't see a whole lot of the remaining sugars being left, especially if you brew for a good 48 hrs at least

 

[st0wandgrow]

The dry molasses I've used was soy bean meal soaked in molasses, but I'm sure its available in different forms.

If you're using teas, then you're using carbs from where I'm sitting. You're essentially inoculating water, feeding the inoculation carbs and then releasing them into your soil.

I love the use of teas in my outdoor garden, but as much as I've tried using them indoors I just don't like the work and mess of it.... Which is why I kinda like the dry molasses.

The advantage of dry molasses, or at least I presume, is that I can inoculate the soil, then feed the the soil a clean (dry) form of molasses. Preferably, top dress with dry molasses, then inoculate. I presume it works because I can see some fuzzy shit growing on the molasses within a couple days after watering. I'm planning to add a bunch to my compost piles next spring and I hope it will get'er'cookin', perhaps even into my next indoor flowering soil mix.

The main issue I have with dry molasses is that its pricey b/c I can't find it locally. It really sucks paying a premium for good organic ingredients for soil. I don't live far from significant farming communities, yet a diverse selection of quality organic ingredients is an hour or more drive away from me.

I've considered Bud Candy for its additional ingredients besides carbs, but I don't know if I can justify the cost, and I don't want to excessively influence the naturally occurring properties i.e. odor, flavor - that distinguish the various strains of cannabis I'm cultivating.

So, I've heard corn syrup, maple syrup, sucrose etc. are acceptable forms of carbohydrates for plants. What say my peers about the other various forms of carbohydrates that are readily usable by beneficial bacteria and fungi?

Love this thread!

I've used Agave nectar a couple times when out of molasses. Seems to do the trick.... but it's pretty expensive.

 

[greasemonkeymann]

I've used Agave nectar a couple times when out of molasses. Seems to do the trick.... but it's pretty expensive.

hey stow any fancy growth hormones or anything like that in the Agave?

 

[greasemonkeymann]

My first runs with cannabis were with FFOF soil and Aurora Innovations Buddha Bloom with some added lime. I was pleasantly surprised at my first run, pretty amazed actually. Buddha Bloom has the carbs and nutrients all in one soluble organic fertilizer.

Since then I've gone to my own soil mixture after tweaking Sub's mix over the past few years. Its adequately inoculated during the mixing process and after, occasionally throughout the flowering cycle.... But I haven't used carbs in a while, something I feel may work really well to help feed the soil and perhaps promote enhanced vigor.

I top dressed with dry molasses for awhile... I could physically see micro growth on top of the soil, which was cool. I just don't know how well it works down in the root zone. I think I'm going to include some dried molasses in my next mix, but in the meantime I'd like some suggestions for feeding carbs to the soil.

I've used molasses in the past, but man the stuff is kind of a PITA to work with, so messy and thick. For my vegetable garden teas I would dilute the liquids (Netptunes harvest w/ molasses) in warm water and pre mix 6 at a time, so it was easier to work with when the time came for brewing.

I'm just curious what y'all are doing for carbs.

Thanks![/QUOTE]
And Shwag....You have a fantastic ass by the way.
I'm kidding I know its not you... and if it is, well, than I stand by my original statement!

 

[st0wandgrow]

hey stow any fancy growth hormones or anything like that in the Agave?

Not that I'm aware of grease. On the label it seems to be completely devoid of iron, mg, etc that you would find in BSM.... so, it would purely be a carb source for the micro-beasties.

 

[greasemonkeymann]

Not that I'm aware of grease. On the label it seems to be completely devoid of iron, mg, etc that you would find in BSM.... so, it would purely be a carb source for the micro-beasties.

ahh, so pretty much just to be used in a pinch... or perhaps an aspiring tequila connoisseur?

 

[DonTesla]

The dry molasses I've used was soy bean meal soaked in molasses, but I'm sure its available in different forms.

If you're using teas, then you're using carbs from where I'm sitting. You're essentially inoculating water, feeding the inoculation carbs and then releasing them into your soil.

I love the use of teas in my outdoor garden, but as much as I've tried using them indoors I just don't like the work and mess of it.... Which is why I kinda like the dry molasses.

The advantage of dry molasses, or at least I presume, is that I can inoculate the soil, then feed the the soil a clean (dry) form of molasses. Preferably, top dress with dry molasses, then inoculate. I presume it works because I can see some fuzzy shit growing on the molasses within a couple days after watering. I'm planning to add a bunch to my compost piles next spring and I hope it will get'er'cookin', perhaps even into my next indoor flowering soil mix.

The main issue I have with dry molasses is that its pricey b/c I can't find it locally. It really sucks paying a premium for good organic ingredients for soil. I don't live far from significant farming communities, yet a diverse selection of quality organic ingredients is an hour or more drive away from me.

I've considered Bud Candy for its additional ingredients besides carbs, but I don't know if I can justify the cost, and I don't want to excessively influence the naturally occurring properties i.e. odor, flavor - that distinguish the various strains of cannabis I'm cultivating.

So, I've heard corn syrup, maple syrup, sucrose etc. are acceptable forms of carbohydrates for plants. What say my peers about the other various forms of carbohydrates that are readily usable by beneficial bacteria and fungi?

Love this thread!

The point is to feed the various microbes/bacteria/fungi so they can multiply and or grow, so you are both right.

AACT's the food source is the OBSM and if ratio'd for peak efficiency at 5ml per 1000ml gets used up for most part.

But by using a dehydrated (and re-hydrated) molasses sounds like your getting fungal hyphae pretty quickly. They are invisible to the naked eye until 500 of them make a strand, so when there are patches, the numbers are staggering.

I prefer to do the AACT's but i don't really like working with it either.

Wonder if you could pop a couple dried pellets in a tea, would they dissolve in a bubbled water?

 

[greasemonkeymann]

The point is to feed the various microbes/bacteria/fungi so they can multiply and or grow, so you are both right.

AACT's the food source is the OBSM and if ratio'd for peak efficiency at 5ml per 1000ml gets used up for most part.

But by using a dehydrated (and re-hydrated) molasses sounds like your getting fungal hyphae pretty quickly. They are invisible to the naked eye until 500 of them make a strand, so when there are patches, the numbers are staggering.

I prefer to do the AACT's but i don't really like working with it either.

Wonder if you could pop a couple dried pellets in a tea, would they dissolve in a bubbled water?

NO shit? you don't like AACTs? i'll be damned... I thought you were a believer in it. BUT, from what I've seen with your growing techniques I severely doubt that you have a shortage of microbes in your soil

 

[DonPetro]

The point is to feed the various microbes/bacteria/fungi so they can multiply and or grow, so you are both right.

AACT's the food source is the OBSM and if ratio'd for peak efficiency at 5ml per 1000ml gets used up for most part.

But by using a dehydrated (and re-hydrated) molasses sounds like your getting fungal hyphae pretty quickly. They are invisible to the naked eye until 500 of them make a strand, so when there are patches, the numbers are staggering.

I prefer to do the AACT's but i don't really like working with it either.

Wonder if you could pop a couple dried pellets in a tea, would they dissolve in a bubbled water?

Just add water...thats my preferred method.

 

[hyroot]

just speaking for myself, but I don't add any carbs, unless you count the molasses I use for my AACTs but i'm thinking the microbes eat most of that, at least that's my understanding of it, other than that, I don't add anything other than topdresses or the occasional (maybe 3 times, or often less, a grow) nutrient teas. I really love molasses but I have bad luck using it any other way than a carb for the AACTs. Never used dry molasses, isn't that alfalfa soaked in molasses?
Can't really see the advantage of it, in a good amended soil. Could be wrong...

molasses, kelp and seed sprout tea's

 

[st0wandgrow]

Rrog posted this in his organic thread (MI section), and I thought I would share it here. Fascinating stuff!!

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/11/gastropod-microbiome-fungus-cassava



.

 

[DonTesla]

Just add water...thats my preferred method.

NO shit? you don't like AACTs? i'll be damned... I thought you were a believer in it. BUT, from what I've seen with your growing techniques I severely doubt that you have a shortage of microbes in your soil

I think there is good place for tea's in organic growing, but for me, ideally would be no teas during the grow if the soil was well inoculated and amended.

If i see one bug i don't like (aphid etc), i like to add a Frass tea

If it got too dry/stressed, or top dress with something like basic mix, i inoculate

Edit: It was the thick syrupy molasses i don't like to work with so much, ha

But since I'm doing a re veg and what not, I don't see a problem with another tea or two for the ladies.
Usually our soil can finish plants with some sheen, even 11 wk sativas.

So the next test will be the Black Forrest, a 7 month beast!

@DonPetro, thatta boi!!

@stowandgrow 5x more yield with the myco?! Dam. them girls say fungi cute ha

 

[Chronikool]

I think there is good place for tea's in organic growing, but for me, ideally would be no teas during the grow if the soil was well inoculated and amended.

I have also cut out teas from my growing regime...Base soil sorted...enzymes, fish, seasweed top ups along the way...,my C99 is responding well...

 

[smokey the cat]

I heartily recommend AACT for potted plants that are struggling. I have had great success with them on ornamentals and what not.

It seems like the quickest way to introduce a food source to the soil - the plant responds with fresh growth and any deficiencies seem to clear up. Definitely improves the tone of poor quality soil - things look more humus-like after a dose of AACT. Haven't compared it to a simple compost slurry though.



Actually, common sense tells me though that fuck all of the fungi would make it below the top layer of soil. If a compost brewer needs a 400micron mesh bag to let fungi get into a tea, there is no way the brewed fungi are going to be carried by water through the soil into the plant's root zone. Might not matter though - maybe close enough is good enough: dead fungi on the surface would still be a great microbial food source.

 

[hyroot]

my soil I'm sure is highly populated with microbes. Every time I water with an aact I immediately see a difference in leaves praying. The next day the buds swell up 25% -50% more. Depending on strain. If you use fabric pots. A great deal of the soil especially along the edges dry out. So watering with an aact will re add those lost microbes. I did aact every other watering. Then cut back to once a month. Now I'm doing them every other or every 3rd watering. Then sst's and kelp / alfalfa teas the rest.

 

[DonTesla]

yea, the fabrics sure breathe more, i even mist the outsides sometimes. And a thick meaty vegetarian mulch, mon. but nothing like holding a happy smart pot a little while after watering. Like holding a baby, you can just feel the precious life in harmony and balance.