All about Guano

[xmobotx]

I think the Am fungi relationship as it pertains to P release is an important consideration for anyone interested in "true" organics. From what i can gather, w/ guano there appears to be more water soluble P ions available than many other organic sources. But, there is still a much higher percentage of the insolubles (relative to the soluble.) Which naturally points the true organic gardener in the direction of AM. Particularly myself since my source for guano is a spelunker and the guano comes to me as fresh manure !!

Obviously, the canna plant is not AM dependant. But, in my observations of the hemp weeds local to my region, there are definitely fungal associations going on at the root. In fact, this was my source for AM. I unearthed a dead hemp weed and cut up the roots (covered in the fungi) to introduce into my soil mix.

Since i have heard no mention so far of fresh guanos, my method is to make an "exotic" compost.

I want the bulk of this mix to be my guano so I sprinkle it w/ a little alfalfa, (probably about 1/10) add some finished compost from my pile (about 1/5) and I bed this on some straw (from a bale) This gets some water to about the "damp sponge" level. I turn it about 1x/week and let it run for ~2 months before I use it.

I screen off the remaining solids from the straw.

this guano is from insect eating bats and is high P w/ a little N. I figure it at about 3-6-1 once composted w/ my alfalfa addition.

 

[rrog]

I really like your contributions Xmobotx. Thanks for that. Excellent idea using old hemp roots, as the'll be covered in spores, ready to go.

Fresh guano... wow.

 

[xmobotx]

yeah that hemp weed is pretty common here

i figure they must be similar. when i first grew weed (in a dream) i composted a bunch of the hemp weeds for the EWC/compost component of my mix (then pro-mix)

seems like as good a guess as any for a compatible strain of AM

i hadn't thought about the compost thing for a while - thats what i shoulda composted my bat-shit w/

 

[jaykush]

Obviously, the canna plant is not AM dependant. But, in my observations of the hemp weeds local to my region, there are definitely fungal associations going on at the root. In fact, this was my source for AM. I unearthed a dead hemp weed and cut up the roots (covered in the fungi) to introduce into my soil mix.

now that is smart! listen to this man!

 

[xmobotx]

lol - you know i picked that up reading through your article on AM fungi

 

[rrog]

lol - you know i picked that up reading through your article on AM fungi

The sticky?

 

[Organi-class]

Fresh guano is very very hot, it is best to age it before use, the fresh (and on top vs bottom) has a ton of ammonium in it as well (from urine)... and i do believe i have read that the npk numbers change based on diet AND how long the guano has "been around".

 

[Organi-class]

Btw, i feel the subject of how long guano LASTS in the soil, or even on top of the soil, or applied thru teas, needs to be discussed. This is one of the most important aspects to understand release rates and how long the residual effects last. Nobody takes a vacation on one tank of gas, so one application of guano is a funny way to view a growing cycle. (some do, some dont..)
So lets open up the personal experiences and results... rather curious to hear a few certain members opinions.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

Btw, i feel the subject of how long guano LASTS in the soil, or even on top of the soil, or applied thru teas, needs to be discussed. This is one of the most important aspects to understand release rates and how long the residual effects last. Nobody takes a vacation on one tank of gas, so one application of guano is a funny way to view a growing cycle. (some do, some dont..)
So lets open up the personal experiences and results... rather curious to hear a few certain members opinions.

[cite]

HTH

CC

 

[jaykush]

lol - you know i picked that up reading through your article on AM fungi

we don't have wild hemp here, but that's thinking outside the box.

 

[rrog]

Much noteworthy info here:

I think the Am fungi relationship as it pertains to P release is an important consideration for anyone interested in "true" organics.

I really agree

From what i can gather, w/ guano there appears to be more water soluble P ions available than many other organic sources. But, there is still a much higher percentage of the insolubles (relative to the soluble.) Which naturally points the true organic gardener in the direction of AM.

So the thought there is that the higher levels of water soluble Phosphorus is a temporary consideration? Flash flood of P and then it rinses through leaving lower long term levels?

If so, that would only stun the Myco community in my understanding. But the longer term benefits of the retained P source would make this acceptable?

Obviously, the canna plant is not AM dependant. But, in my observations of the hemp weeds local to my region, there are definitely fungal associations going on at the root.

I'm thinking (don't know to be absolute fact) that although Canna isn't AM dependent, it certainly seems to benefit. See C. Coot's testimonials. I am not sure why some feel that because Canna isn't AM dependent that it's therefore not worth encouraging at all.

 

[mad librettist]

I'm thinking (don't know to be absolute fact) that although Canna isn't AM dependent, it certainly seems to benefit. See C. Coot's testimonials. I am not sure why some feel that because Canna isn't AM dependent that it's therefore not worth encouraging at all.

there's a more nuanced view - since Canna is not AM dependent, and the goal is to grow weed, it can't hurt to have it but it's negotiable. All the other fungal interactions are in need of attention, so it's best to add your mycorrhizae, do your thing, and let it ride.

 

[rrog]

mad lbt, so you feel that specific AM Fungi are not significant, but other Fungi are? Wanting to understand: "All the other fungal interactions are in need of attention"

So you feel that some fungal relationships are of value? I'm sorry as I'm sure you've been posting about this and I simply don't recall. Thanks

 

[mad librettist]

mad lbt, so you feel that specific AM Fungi are not significant, but other Fungi are? Wanting to understand: "All the other fungal interactions are in need of attention"

So you feel that some fungal relationships are of value? I'm sorry as I'm sure you've been posting about this and I simply don't recall. Thanks

I'm saying don't get twisted up running after AM. Not for this plant. But if you can pull it off, that's awesome.

I believe one way I read it explained is that P can be taken up by fungi from mineral but not available sources, then when the fungi die or are eaten (by nematodes perhaps?), the now organic P in the fungi is mineralized in a form the plant can use.

 

[VerdantGreen]

I think the Am fungi relationship as it pertains to P release is an important consideration for anyone interested in "true" organics. From what i can gather, w/ guano there appears to be more water soluble P ions available than many other organic sources. But, there is still a much higher percentage of the insolubles (relative to the soluble.) Which naturally points the true organic gardener in the direction of AM. Particularly myself since my source for guano is a spelunker and the guano comes to me as fresh manure !!

....

it was a good post xmobotx, but this kind of comment is what i was trying to expose in my recent 'what are true/pseudo organics thread' there is nothing to say AM is more organic than guano. guano has been used in farming/gardening for thousands of years - and until chem ferts were invented 100 years or so ago, all gardening was organic!

and you need to consider that all packaged guano is actually insect castings as the bat/bird shit is also processed by beatles. it will bear no resemblance to fresh bat/bird manure

 

[VerdantGreen]

Btw, i feel the subject of how long guano LASTS in the soil, or even on top of the soil, or applied thru teas, needs to be discussed. This is one of the most important aspects to understand release rates and how long the residual effects last. Nobody takes a vacation on one tank of gas, so one application of guano is a funny way to view a growing cycle. (some do, some dont..)
So lets open up the personal experiences and results... rather curious to hear a few certain members opinions.

i mix guano into my soil mix - all my plants are grown with nothing or little more than what is in their soil at the start. i get huge yields and fantastic quality weed. if you look in my grow diaries all the plants you see were grown this way.

im sure there are lots of other good ways to grow organic tasty weed, but this is definitely one way and i have the pics to prove it

V.

 

[Mike_Hunt]

thread: http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=158633

my organic guano grow

 

[rrog]

i mix guano into my soil mix - all my plants are grown with nothing or little more than what is in their soil at the start. i get huge yields and fantastic quality weed. if you look in my grow diaries all the plants you see were grown this way.

im sure there are lots of other good ways to grow organic tasty weed, but this is definitely one way and i have the pics to prove it

I sure have no reason to doubt this at all. Also, I think it's interesting that many attribute great smoke flavor when using Guano. Again, I don't doubt that at all.

And I'd bet you have great micro-herds including fungus. You don't strive for the fungus, and don't cater to or coddle the little furry fellas, but if you have soil to start with, you'll inevitably have the fungus, and whatever benefits it imparts.

 

[VerdantGreen]

yes, ive been smoking for over 20 years and i must say the stuff i have been growing for the last couple of years is the tastiest and smoothest smoking ive ever had - not just my opinion. i also use rock dusts and topsoil in my mix which im sure helps too. im getting yields of between 1 and 2 grams per watt.

Question - has anyone successfully actually grown good weed in regular sized pots (4 gallons or less) indoors using myco and having not fed their plants the amount of P that they would otherwise need?
sometimes it's confusing or misleading because people are saying theyve done someting but there is a big difference between growing in huge pots or open ground and what we do indoors...

some pics would be even better

V.

 

[guest2012y]

I like to function with,and do what Verden says,I've always mixed it in with the soil. But I also have felt that it does get consumed during the cycles that we put these plants through. If my observations in my garden are correct,I'd guess that this consumption/depletion of bat guano really happens when they start building flowers. At that point I make a guano tea if I see signs of deficiencies. I'm also concerned about adding to much to the dry mix,that's probably why I think I run low in late flowering.....Can't remember if it's a real heavy "burner" if too much is used....I can't recall because I don't over do it.