~Alternative to Kelp extract?~

[CT Guy]

One other point, is how they process the kelp is important. If they use harsh chemicals, it can damage the quality of the final product. Look for cold water processed ascophyllum nodosum, like CC stated above.

If you find this interesting, check out Seaweed and Plant Growth by TL Senn. Under 10 bucks I believe on amazon.com.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

If you find this interesting, check out Seaweed and Plant Growth by TL Senn. Under 10 bucks I believe on amazon.com.

I got this book on CT Guy's recommendation a couple of months ago.

It's a 'must read' for anyone seriously involved in growing using sustainable/organic methods. Regardless of the plant involved.

CC

 

[schwagg]

you guys are great. hands down!

 

[Microbeman]

http://www.ultra-kelp.com/index.htm

This is what I've always used. I just get the stuff for horses rather than the more expensive soluble extract. If you want to get higher fungal numbers or mix it better with water just run it through a coffee grinder. I have not bought it for a while but I think it was around $60 for $50 pounds.

 

[slyman]

thank u very much for the in depth reply CC very informative. could u still use the extract in your soil mix? or would u recommend against that. im jw cuz id rather only have to buy one thing

 

[Clackamas Coot]

could u still use the extract in your soil mix? or would u recommend against that. im jw cuz id rather only have to buy one thing

slyman

I would recommend that you do not add it to your soil mix for a couple of reasons.

1. These extracts are extremely concentrated - like 1/2 gram per gallon which is 1/2 tsp.

2. Much of it could wash out during the initial hydration of your potting soil where one generally pushes as much water into their properly amended soil mix.

How about this idea? Amazon.com sells 5 lb. boxes of kelp meal for less than $12.00 - get that and add the appropriate amount to your potting soil and use the extract as part of your teas and foliar sprays (especially during the veg cycle and more importantly during the first couple of weeks in the flower cycle).

Buying both you'd only be out about $27.00 and you'd have enough of both products to last you a year or more.

Just a thought..................

CC

 

[2uptown]

how good is maxi crop compared to other kelp based products? is it the best bang for the buck?
on another note i have been a long time indoor grower that uses general hydroponics 3 part. about five years ago a company called cutting edge solutions came out with a product called t-harz which was some sort of trichaderma in a bottle. simply add it to your reservoir and within a few weeks i could see things moving around in the water. it must be the trichaderma or what not. while watching these tiny little things swim around in the water they would leave a noticeable trail behind them. this trail looked like alcohol that had been pored into water. you could see threw it but could also tell there's something in the water. the trail would remain until disturbed by the cycling of the water. any idea what they were? they also made my ph slowly go down, which i liked. i gave out cuts that were rooted and other people reported that they had seen them as well. some folks added dutch master zone and that did not get rid of them. personally i liked the little guys for the ph factor. they never harmed my plants in any way but i have no idea what they really were. i have read that "chemical nutrients" will kill all beneficial micro herds. this was not the case with my little herd. i ran my ppms at 1800+. these little guys stayed with me for years with no help, no added food source (except the gh 3 part if you can eat that stuff) i might add that ive been bug/pest free indoors for over six years. i am an extremely clean person and my garden reflects it. i figured if anyone could answer this question it would be one of the experts in this thread. i have read this entire thread and will be brewing my own teas for this years outdoor season. so if any of you are still with me my real question is how much damage does general hydro 3 part do to a micro herd? could a person run the general at lets say 1/8th the recommended strength and still keep a healthy herd? are you as confused as i am at this point? anyways great read and info.....

 

[Dignan]

CT and CC-

I use CT's soluble kelp extract now and, like CT Guy, I generally eyeball all my measurements. Not every watering but I'd say every 2 out of 3 waterings I prepare my water like this:

3 gal container of tap water (my tap is tried and true at this point).
1-2 TSP molasses (primarily to dechlorinate the tap)
.5-1 TBSP Organic Gem fish
Then what I'd call a "big ol' pinch" of the soluble kelp, using the thumb and all four fingers kinda pinch LOL

So far so good, but does that sound like it's in the ballpark to you lads?

 

[U4EA]

Extracted kelp.

 

[bayareablue]

wow good stuff CC, Have u ever heard of Alg-A-Mic? u seem quite knowledgeable about organic kelp products and would love ur input on it. I've been running it for a while and its absolutely amazing with the exception of the price.

 

[Kozmo]

Great stuff. Had to say thank you. Helped me out!

 

[calirun]

Could you just collect seaweed from the beach wash out the salt and use? Also should I put it in my compost pile, save until planting or add during water cycles? TIA.

 

[blueberrydrumz]

Could you just collect seaweed from the beach wash out the salt and use? Also should I put it in my compost pile, save until planting or add during water cycles? TIA.

yes, give it a good wash.. for compost its great as is..
you can dry it and grind it up.. but that is long and a lot of work..
best would be to make tea with it after washing..
let it sit in a container with some homemade LAB for a week and then dilute 1:20