MYTHS

[mg75]

I was searching the web for answers about compost teas and how much I should apply (I wondered if I should water until runoff - and how much runoff?) and stumbled on some papers detailing "common myths in horticulture."

According to the website, many of the products that we use and buy do not have any beneficial uses for plants and actually some are harmful to the soil and environment.

Here is the link :

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultural Myths_files/index.html

 

[OrganicOzarks]

I was searching the web for answers about compost teas and how much I should apply (I wondered if I should water until runoff - and how much runoff?) and stumbled on some papers detailing "common myths in horticulture."

According to the website, many of the products that we use and buy do not have any beneficial uses for plants and actually some are harmful to the soil and environment.

Here is the link :

http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/~Linda Chalker-Scott/Horticultural Myths_files/index.html

I did not read every single link, but i did go through and check some out.

As far as compost tea goes, there are only a handful of people that know what they are talking about when it comes to teas. This would be for the entire planet. One of them happens to post on here daily, Microbeman.

He can shed the most light on the subject. I will give you my limited knowledge.

Foliar feeding compost tea has been shown to suppress disease, pests, and also boost growth. I can say that I have seen these things first hand. As far as how much to foliar feed, and how often goes, I foliar feed twice per week. I spray the plants until all of the leaves are wet. Both top side, and bottom side.

I believe when it comes to compost tea most people are just uneducated. This includes most scholars that work at Universities. It seems to be getting more mainstream, but it does not seem to be catching on as fast at the academic level.

I have talked with local people from the university in the Ag Department along with local companies that produce gardening products, and none of them know shit about compost tea.

It simply amazes me. They know what it is, but other than that they have no idea the "true" benefits of it.

You are not going to find anyone more versed in the subject than microbeman. I am sure he will chime in here soon.

By the way if you are working with compost tea, and have not purchased microbman's DVD then you need to. Then you need to buy a scope.

The one thing that I have learned from designing my own brewers is that unless you have a scope you very much are wasting your time brewing tea's.

A frothy head and earthy smell does not mean shit. Unless you are using a brewer that was professionally designed (like the ones microbeman makes) then you most likely do not have the microbial population that you should.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

mg75

I've 'been there done that' on the battle between Dr. Linda & Dr. Elaine on the ACT deal at various venues.

Suffice it to say that "they don't like each other" and neither woman arrives at the Table of Science with clean hands. On a number of levels.

CC

 

[c-ray]

basically if it's not been proven in a double blind peer-reviewed study published in a main journal, than it's a myth.. anecdotal evidence need not apply

 

[mg75]

So...
Should I water my tea until 20% runoff? or just add 500ml to the base of the plant in order to save?

 

[RanchoDeluxe]

Make sure your soil never completely dries out. The wet/dry cycle is a Myth. Forget about runoff. Make sure you maintain the soil to have an even level of moisture. You want to keep it in the "sweet spot" between completely dry and completely saturated. Never allow it to dry out...it kills microbes.

 

[jerry111165]

Never allow it to dry out...it kills microbes

It does?

J

 

[BurnOne]

I see myths on here every day. KISS works for me every time and it's no PITA.
If you want to play and experiment that's fine. But I got into organic soil because it's easy. I'm lazy cause I like Indicas. LOL
In all my experiments, I've never seen much difference in any grow method. Light and fresh air are far more important than all the other stuff. JMO.
Burn1

 

[OrganicOzarks]

To help keep things evenly moist you should be mulching. It will also do away with the top layer of crusty soil, and you will get a larger root ball. You should be able to move the mulch aside, and see roots poking up.

I grow in 3 gallon smart pots. I water twice a week. Monday and Friday. I use plastic beer cups, and give each pot 3 of them twice a week. I do not fill the beer cups up all the way. I fill them to the first line at the top. With mulch this keeps my plants the right amount of moist.

When you talk about run off I feel you are repeating hydro store stuff. I get a bit of runoff when I water, but very little.

 

[lonelemming]

I was always of the thought that unless for a very specific reason (can't really even think of one at the moment), runoff was just a waste. Ok, if I spilled my cup of coffee into my container, then maybe I'd water till 20 runoff...

 

[FunTimesIndeed]

Make sure you maintain the soil to have an even level of moisture. You want to keep it in the "sweet spot" between completely dry and completely saturated.

I can't make guesses as to what my microbial populations look like or their ability to lay dormant without water, but from just watching the plants I couldn't agree with this watering advice more. From what I've seen from watering plants in clear containers (nested in an opaque container of course), runoff is the result of watering to quickly and it makes for dry spots in the media.

Most of what I've read in the OP so far has legitimate studies referenced to back up "the Reality" parts. Seems like a decent resource.

 

[hayday]

Thats interesting O.O.
I water my 3 gallon mature plants 16 oz's daily.Fresh pots in flower get 10-12 oz's everyday.
Small amount of run off sometimes,on some particular plants.Not all the time though

 

[lonelemming]

Can't figure out how to edit my reply above to add that I'm in 100% agreement with the huge role of mulch when watering. With no mulch and a dry 5 gallon pot, I could water in a gallon and get 75% runoff. It's all about the even moisture distribution, no matter what it is you're watering in.

 

[OrganicOzarks]

Thats interesting O.O.
I water my 3 gallon mature plants 16 oz's daily.Fresh pots in flower get 10-12 oz's everyday.
Small amount of run off sometimes,on some particular plants.Not all the time though

I use to water more often when I first started growing. i did the whole water way to much routine that most first growers do. It was way more than what you do. You seem to water at a good pace, and a good amount.

Then I started to taper back, and then cut how often, until it was twice per week. It makes it way easier to go out of town. Without the mulch though it would not be possible. I use coco chips as mulch. They last forever, and I just keep reusing them.

Watering everyday is a pain in the ass. On a non water day I have to spend about 5 minutes looking things over. Checking for critters, staking up leaning branches, etc... I have gotten to where I don't spend a whole lotta time doing much at all in the grow rooms.

As long as I keep my rotation good, and spray compost tea twice per week foliar I don't have to do a whole lot.

It's taken years to get this lazy at growing.

 

[VerdantGreen]

basically if it's not been proven in a double blind peer-reviewed study published in a main journal, than it's a myth.. anecdotal evidence need not apply

whilst i would agree that scientific studies are very valuable, to discount anecdotal evidence completely would be unwise. I personally have learned just as much from experience as i have from science. any source of information is valuable imo.
With so many variables in the way we grow, it's pretty much impossible to determine scientifically exactly how all the factors work together and influence each other.

VG

 

[ClackamasCootz]

My favorite myths......

1. Cal-Mag Lockout

2. Water soluble Carbonates (see #1 as this is part of the same stupidity)

3. Flushing

4. Magic 'bulbs' promoted by Kid 'n Play at grow stores

CC

 

[CT Guy]

Don't forget that molasses or honey will make your buds sweeter!

 

[Neo 420]

My favorite myths......
4. Magic 'bulbs' promoted by Kid 'n Play at grow stores

CC

Kid and Play... LOL The old rap group? LMAO!!!!

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Don't forget that molasses or honey will make your buds sweeter!

You can toss in the mythology about bat guano into that group as well.

Bird? Bat? My own?

Kinda like trying to name your favorite Menendez Brother - Kyle? Eric?

Touching & heartful decisions we all must make on the Road to Dank Dumb......

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Kid and Play... LOL The old rap group? LMAO!!!!

I have an eclectic taste in musical genres......even watching DWTS gets my toes a tappin' or something equally perverted and distasteful