Alternative to Bat Guano

[Nicol Bolas]

I have used High P bat guano with success in the past but will never use it again. It is NOT a sustainable or environmentally friendly nutrient. Harvesting bat guano at anytime other than dusk or dawn (when bats are outside anyway) has destructive effects on bat populations. In many countries bats are (or WERE) the most important controllers of insect-spread diseases. To me, the negative environmental and human impact of using bat guano far outweigh being organic - many of us grow organic to LESSON our destructive impact on the Earth and its peoples, not simply to be 'technically' organic.

Are there any companies that gaurentee their guano-harvesting methods do no harm to bats? If not, what would you use to replace bat guano in a standard EWC/molasses/kelp/gauno Bloom recipe?

 

[Suby]

A company called Guano Grow harvest guano "sustainably".
They contend that they harvest during the bats migration to Mexico during the colder months.
They also say that removing the guano improves air quality within the cave.
Bats consume alot of bugs (millions of TONS) and they help polinate alot of crops so it's in everyones interest to keep their numbers up, the total bat population is in sharp decline over the last few years.
Many countries require a permit to harvest with strict guidelines as far as impact is concerned.

 

[jaykush]

if you can, grow some blocking 14 comfrey. all you will need for flower. and with the other goodies we like to use it will produce nothing but the best nugs.

you can compost it, liquid soak it, soil amendment....

 

[marali]

yep, comfrey here too!

 

[Suby]

I have to agree BTW, hauling shit half way across a continent, when we have perfectly good alternatives close at hand, makes no sense.

 

[marali]

True. I am only using local or homemade stuff now when it comes to growing. Bought some guano this year and i hate the smell. It also doesn't look healthy to me. Plant matter is a lot better for plants imo. Isn't it logical?

 

[jaykush]

hey theres nothing wrong with guano as a supplement to others, it is gooooood stuff after all. its just like said when using plant material/compost/etc along with guano it lasts A LOT longer. i used to use guano quite a bit back in the day, now the same amount of guano will last me a year or more compared to a month or less.

everything everyone ever will need is around them at all times via nature. you just have to have a different mindset than, what bottle/product shall i buy today.

 

[Suby]

Well guano is unique in it's release rate, if you need a fertilizer boost to correct a visible def the guano is what I will reach for always.
I use it as a mid flowering boost.

 

[jaykush]

yea for sure, i used to just get a gallon jug, add guano, shake, let sit overnight, and apply. its not the best but sure works like a charm when needed. only thing to keep in mind is most guano, not all the nutrients are water soluble. the nitrogen rich guano i use has only 10% water soluble N, the rest needs work by soil microbes. all the extra gunk went into the compost pile.

 

[Suby]

I actually use guano as a topdressing, about 1TBS mid way through flowering with maybe a tsp of high N guano.
This way you get a dose every watering, I've also used tea leftovers in my recycled soil bin.

Man I love recycling my soil

 

[vonforne]

Alfalfa, stinging nettles, comfrey, homade compost, homade EWC, go to your local feed store and check with what they have.....cotton seed meal, soy meal ect. Check all the NPK values and start to build your own.

And as Suby said..........Man I love RECYCLING my soil.

V

 

[jaykush]

dont forget yarrow, i love the stuff! available at almost all garden centers. under the name Achillea or yarrow. you can take root divisions from the plants they sell and turn 1 into 20+ i just bought two and a bag of seeds for spring.