Anyone using Insect Frass?

[Team Microbe]

Looking for any TLO growers out there that use this/have had experience with this stuff. I was recommended it by someone but am hesitant to use it until I hear some good news...


I'm using it in tea, but if you've used it in a soil mix don't hesitate to chime in!


Thanks guys/gals

 

[Team Microbe]

anyone?!

 

[xmobotx]

i toss dead bugs in my soil mix

that frass is ungodly expensive

 

[bigshrimp]

If it wasn't so expensive I'd use it.

Toss it in as a replacement for crab/crustation/shrimp meal.

 

[Team Microbe]

i toss dead bugs in my soil mix

that frass is ungodly expensive

it used to be like $40 at my shop but they brought it down to $30 so I hopped on it. I think it only calls for 1 or 2 tablespoons per tea run, so it's gonna last me forever.

I tossed it in my tea not too long ago, so we'll see how it does.

^ this is just a 7.5 gal trashcan I modified to brew tea in


Anyone have any advice/tweaks for my recipe? I'm using supersoil so I don't want much food if any in this recipe...

 

[surfguitar]

according to MM based on his microscopic observations the best compost tea is just straight EWC with some molasses for food stock. Make a separate botanical tea with the other stuff

 

[Eureka Springs Organics]

Crab, or shrimp shells is cheaper. We use to sell insect frass, but the price is just to much to be practical.

I like xmobotx's idea of throwing dead bugs in your soil. You can always just scoop some fresh compost from the pile. It should be loaded with live, and not so live insects. It's free too.

 

[oldschool growe]

Use it !!! It works . I had great results this past season with the frass !

 

[Granger2]

Is the Frass shown made up of insect manure with some insect parts? That's my understanding, that it comes from insects produced for bait and reptile feed. It's supposed to stimulate plant immune response, plus it contains chitin. Thanks. -granger

 

[Team Microbe]

Crab, or shrimp shells is cheaper. We use to sell insect frass, but the price is just to much to be practical.

I like xmobotx's idea of throwing dead bugs in your soil. You can always just scoop some fresh compost from the pile. It should be loaded with live, and not so live insects. It's free too.

This bag was only $30! It's going to last me for at least a few runs...

 

[Team Microbe]

Use it !!! It works . I had great results this past season with the frass !

Yeah??

Good to know Did you use it outdoors?

 

[Weird]

i top dress a teaspoon around the stalk of each plant to induce a sars response but not enough to count on it as an amendment

 

[Team Microbe]

i top dress a teaspoon around the stalk of each plant to induce a sars response but not enough to count on it as an amendment

interesting, may I ask what a sars response is though?


thanks man

 

[Team Microbe]

according to MM based on his microscopic observations the best compost tea is just straight EWC with some molasses for food stock. Make a separate botanical tea with the other stuff

what do you mean by botanical tea?


This is a very "light" tea, it has practically no nutrient value besides the Frass (2-2-2)

Did you mean I should brew microbe teas separate from teas with food in them?

much thanks bro

 

[Weird]

interesting, may I ask what a sars response is though?


thanks man

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systemic_acquired_resistance

i have enough nutrient in my soil but from what i understand and what was suggested is that the frass triggers the plants sars as if there were insect predators and it also serves to boost secondary metabolite production through similar mechanisms

 

[Weird]

http://books.google.com/books?id=Nm...s for secondary metabolite production&f=false

here is something about insects and secondary metabolite response

 

[Team Microbe]

http://books.google.com/books?id=Nm...s for secondary metabolite production&f=false

here is something about insects and secondary metabolite response

wow, VERY informative. Both links were gold man, thank you!


So it basically triggers the plant to kick up its immunity and fends off pests/mold/mildew better huh?

another weapon in the arsenal so it seems...

 

[surfguitar]

what do you mean by botanical tea?


This is a very "light" tea, it has practically no nutrient value besides the Frass (2-2-2)

Did you mean I should brew microbe teas separate from teas with food in them?

much thanks bro

yes

 

[Team Microbe]

yes

gotcha. So even though they're a low charge (1-1-1) I should still brew separately? Or by "food" do you mean guano teas high in N and PK?


Just to be clear lol...

 

[surfguitar]

Any type of food besides straight molasses and EWC slows down the bacteria apparently