I know your on top of your game, but didn't see u mention strains. Could this be the issue?Anyone else noticing a drop off in yield with no-till?
When I first started making my own soil I would dump it out at the end of every cycle, add a bit of fresh soil, re-amend, wet it down with a compost tea, and let it sit for a few weeks. I switched a while back to the no-till, and now I'm back to dumping the soil. The plants look great, but I can't seem to get the same yield when running no-till. I've tried bigger pots, smaller pots, fabric pots ..... and nothing seems to work as well as just dumping the soil and re-using it from there.
I'm guessing this is a compaction issue and not as much oxygen is getting to the root zone. Any thoughts?
I've heard that very same complaint from an organic grower in Michigan. I don't have enough personal experience on the method to really speak on longterm.Anyone else noticing a drop off in yield with no-till?
When I first started making my own soil I would dump it out at the end of every cycle, add a bit of fresh soil, re-amend, wet it down with a compost tea, and let it sit for a few weeks. I switched a while back to the no-till, and now I'm back to dumping the soil. The plants look great, but I can't seem to get the same yield when running no-till. I've tried bigger pots, smaller pots, fabric pots ..... and nothing seems to work as well as just dumping the soil and re-using it from there.
I'm guessing this is a compaction issue and not as much oxygen is getting to the root zone. Any thoughts?
I don't think so FFH. I've got 9 different strains on the go right now and they have all reacted the same. Nice and healthy in every way, but they just are not getting as big. I'd say the yield has dropped off by 25%. Switched back to dumping/re-amending the soil and they are back to the bigger plants that I'm used to. So strange. Really has me scratching my head. I guess I could cut back on the ewc and add more aeration when I make the soil...??I know your on top of your game, but didn't see u mention strains. Could this be the issue?
I use crushed "chicken feed" it's nothing but dried mealworms and crickets,i raise 3 different roaches as feeder roaches for some of my reptile and tarantulas.i feed them fruits and veggies they eat better then me sometimes Im loaded with molted shells and poo.i need to get some chickens would be awesome or maybe a turkey
Trying upping your aeration, sounds like maybe lacking oxygen. consider adding more rock dust? Mychos?I don't think so FFH. I've got 9 different strains on the go right now and they have all reacted the same. Nice and healthy in every way, but they just are not getting as big. I'd say the yield has dropped off by 25%. Switched back to dumping/re-amending the soil and they are back to the bigger plants that I'm used to. So strange. Really has me scratching my head. I guess I could cut back on the ewc and add more aeration when I make the soil...??
edit: 5 of these strains I've had around for a while, so I know what they should yield.
i used to start with the whole bottom of ten gallons with a layer of lava rock... but no unless they get real sun the containers dont cycle nutes as fast so growth for heavy feeders is lacking. using a paint striainer on my vermi teas helped ALOT. they closed pores in my soil fast . there are many studies on unstrained vs strained ve topdressing.I don't think so FFH. I've got 9 different strains on the go right now and they have all reacted the same. Nice and healthy in every way, but they just are not getting as big. I'd say the yield has dropped off by 25%. Switched back to dumping/re-amending the soil and they are back to the bigger plants that I'm used to. So strange. Really has me scratching my head. I guess I could cut back on the ewc and add more aeration when I make the soil...??
edit: 5 of these strains I've had around for a while, so I know what they should yield.
Hmm. I top dress the shit out of my containers (ewc) so that could be the issue. I thought switching to fabric pots would help things out, but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick.i used to start with the whole bottom of ten gallons with a layer of lava rock... but no unless they get real sun the containers dont cycle nutes as fast so growth for heavy feeders is lacking. using a paint striainer on my vermi teas helped ALOT. they closed pores in my soil fast . there are many studies on unstrained vs strained ve topdressing.
strained tea and NO top dressing GASP are the way to go in small container gardenig IMHO...
I'm pretty heavy handed with the rock dusts. 3-4 cups per cf. Mychos aren't skimped on either.Trying upping your aeration, sounds like maybe lacking oxygen. consider adding more rock dust? Mychos?
make what you would dress with into strained teas 1ml of sucanate or molasses and 1oz of casting per gallon is a good start for my small ones ..... sometimes i add dusts and such too the worm bin... drywall tooo...effing hillbillyHmm. I top dress the shit out of my containers (ewc) so that could be the issue. I thought switching to fabric pots would help things out, but it doesn't seem to be doing the trick.
Maybe I'll try one with no top dress and see if that works.
I haven't seen this yet, but it doesn't surprise me, and after all, our end goal is to simply grow great organic herb so if that entails dumping, re-amending and re-mixing, well... so be it, right?Anyone else noticing a drop off in yield with no-till?
When I first started making my own soil I would dump it out at the end of every cycle, add a bit of fresh soil, re-amend, wet it down with a compost tea, and let it sit for a few weeks. I switched a while back to the no-till, and now I'm back to dumping the soil. The plants look great, but I can't seem to get the same yield when running no-till. I've tried bigger pots, smaller pots, fabric pots ..... and nothing seems to work as well as just dumping the soil and re-using it from there.
I'm guessing this is a compaction issue and not as much oxygen is getting to the root zone. Any thoughts?
You add drywall to your worm bin? Can't say I've heard that before.make what you would dress with into strained teas 1ml of sucanate or molasses and 1oz of casting per gallon is a good start for my small ones ..... sometimes i add dusts and such too the worm bin... drywall tooo...effing hillbilly
well shit, it is made from gypsum, so I guess that is a good way to get it.. if you can't find it..You add drywall to your worm bin? Can't say I've heard that before.
It depends. I've been using 10 gallon fabric pots lately, but I will use a 7 gallon plastic pot for a couple strains that don't need so much leg room. Love to hear your theory though.....@st0wandgrow What planter sizes/veg times do you run?
I have this theory about planter sizes and growth periods that could possibly explain the lack in yield.
what do you re-amend with when you dump and till?It depends. I've been using 10 gallon fabric pots lately, but I will use a 7 gallon plastic pot for a couple strains that don't need so much leg room. Love to hear your theory though.....
that's almost exactly the same thing I do for vege.It depends. I've been using 10 gallon fabric pots lately, but I will use a 7 gallon plastic pot for a couple strains that don't need so much leg room. Love to hear your theory though.....
edit: Forgot veg time. They get 2-3 weeks in a small 1/2 gal container, then 2-3 weeks in the final 7-10 gal container. Usually 5'ish weeks total
I think planter size may be one factor to your loss of yield. If you're on Instagram go check out MountainOrganics feed (It's Coot from Icmag, I think) he runs 200 gallon beds.It depends. I've been using 10 gallon fabric pots lately, but I will use a 7 gallon plastic pot for a couple strains that don't need so much leg room. Love to hear your theory though.....