how does ppm affect my micro herd?

[StrapAssassin42]

I was told recently that anything over 700 ppm in my nutrient water will start to kill my micro organisms.


Is this true? why does that happen?

Thanks for any input!

 

[rckymtnthuglife]

Ppm and EC mean virtually nothing in organics since they are only effective at measuring chemical salts.

Dosing your plants with high amounts of P will hurt the fungi for sure. As a general rule of thumb keep the n-p-k numbers on any bottled nutes below 5. Be careful about adding too much steamed bone meal to your soil mix as well cuz this can also piss off the micro herd.

Peace
Rocky

 

[StrapAssassin42]

thanks man...good to know

why do you say keep the #s below 5 on bottled nutes?

sooo.... using guanos and other non-bottled nutes can be above 5....?

can you get into specifics at all or point me to some literature... i would like to learn more.

thanks again

 

[rrog]

Hey Strap. have you ever thought of straight soil, no bottled nutes? All organic, best possible quality, and becomes the least expensive way to grow IMHO,

As well, this particular organic soil forum has an absolutely impressive cadre of contributors. Really cutting edge news on all things organic soil.

Just a thought. Peace.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

hey rrog,

i'm actually in the process of getting away from bottled nutes... i would like to still add guanos and other non bottled nutes to my water as well as top dress.

so its hard to burn my plants with organics..does the same hold true with my micro herd?

I can pile on the guano, rock phosphate, and other meals without hurting the microbes?

you are definitely right about the info of this forum...i've learned a lot since i started reading. setting up my ACT brewer this weekend and i really want to encourage the best environment possible for the microbes.

 

[rrog]

Strap, in addition to the threads here, you might like the book Teaming With Microbes. It's an easy read, a very comprehensive discussion about the micro-life. I took 7 pages of notes while reading for a quick reference later.

I have a much better understanding of the interactions, and am happier than ever I'm growing organic soil.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

very cool rrog! definitely gona read it...thanks again!

 

[rckymtnthuglife]

Hey man I learned not to overdo the nutes from the Rev at Skunk mag. I basically just add a bunch of stuff to my soil and they will pretty much finish with just water. Of course I love a good tea now and then. A bottled 2-4-1 fish fert and a little kelp goes a long way.

Honestly, I'm not sure why you want to keep the n-p-k numbers low...I just do and it works.

 

[StrapAssassin42]

Nice... thanks for your input rocky.