[KIS]

Originally Posted by Microbeman

If a compost is finished and stable with fairly good sequestered nutrients then a planted seed will sprout and grow well for a couple of weeks (may eventually have drainage issues). If it falters after sprouting this can indicate that the compost is too hot or there are contaminants. This is just an old farmer's method to do a low tech compost test.

[AFAIK] The scientific definition for humus is quite far removed from what compost is. I'm not sure why people started using the term to denote compost.

We use radishes, as they germinate and grow really quickly. Apparently they are sensitive to contaminants as well.

[Unagi]

I apologize in advance if this question has been answered a million times before. With my crappy search skills i didnt manage to find the answer.

Anyway long story short, im building a no till recycled organic living soil. And the only amendment I cannot find or anything close to it is Crab\crustacean anything shellfish meal.

However I found this company that sells bags of chitosan, im wondering if this will be okay as a replacement for crab\crustacean meal? Im not sure if its missing any valuable components or how its been extracted and processed. I found this lable on their site, hoping someone can help decipher it for me.

Lable


Crab\Crustacean meal is the only amendment im missing before I can begin my journey into no till following tried and true recipes.

If this isnt the right stuff, is there anything else I could use to replace crab\crust meal?

Best regards
Unagi

[Weird]

insect frass is an organic alternative to shell fish meal

I use it sparingly

[Unagi]

Do you know if Acheta domesticus (House cricket) flour is an okay replacement? They are dried and grinded into flour.

Unagi ✌

[Lapides]

From what I understand, insect's exoskeleton is essentially chitin, so yes.

[PaulieWaulie]

Can anyone see any problems with this mix? I made it based on the recipes I have seen on here, adjusted a bit to what was available locally in bulk cheaply. Gonna mix it up if I don't hear any danger warnings from anyone in the next day or so. Muchly appreciated. I veg for 4-6 weeks usually with 1 plant per sq foot in the bloom room and in 3G pots that have about 2G of mix volume in it. I am ok with top dressing if they need a boost later on, and I have some liquid organic fert I can feed if need be as well.... so I do prefer on the light side so there is no burning or lockout issues.

Super Duper Soil
1 Cubic Foot = 7 Gallons

BASE
[ ] 3G PRO MIX HP (Recycled) (30% Perlite)
[ ] 2G Perlite
[ ] 1G Compost
[ ] 1/3G Guineapig Droppings
[ ] 1/3G Horse Manure
[ ] 1/3G Earthworm Castings

AMMENDMENTS

[ ] 1 Cup Bonemeal
[ ] 1 Cup Kelp Meal
[ ] 1 Cup Oyster Shell
[ ] 1 Cup Dehydrated Molasses
[ ] 1/2 Cup Alfalfa Meal
[ ] 1/2 Cup Blood Meal
[ ] 1/2 Cup Glacial Rock Dust
[ ] 1/4 Cup Azomite

[redneck shogun]

I could be wrong because my mix is a bit different, but my concern would be low magnesium. Epsom salts is a good option.

Originally Posted by PaulieWaulie

Can anyone see any problems with this mix? I made it based on the recipes I have seen on here, adjusted a bit to what was available locally in bulk cheaply. Gonna mix it up if I don't hear any danger warnings from anyone in the next day or so. Muchly appreciated. I veg for 4-6 weeks usually with 1 plant per sq foot in the bloom room and in 3G pots that have about 2G of mix volume in it. I am ok with top dressing if they need a boost later on, and I have some liquid organic fert I can feed if need be as well.... so I do prefer on the light side so there is no burning or lockout issues.

Super Duper Soil
1 Cubic Foot = 7 Gallons

BASE
[ ] 3G PRO MIX HP (Recycled) (30% Perlite)
[ ] 2G Perlite
[ ] 1G Compost
[ ] 1/3G Guineapig Droppings
[ ] 1/3G Horse Manure
[ ] 1/3G Earthworm Castings

AMMENDMENTS

[ ] 1 Cup Bonemeal
[ ] 1 Cup Kelp Meal
[ ] 1 Cup Oyster Shell
[ ] 1 Cup Dehydrated Molasses
[ ] 1/2 Cup Alfalfa Meal
[ ] 1/2 Cup Blood Meal
[ ] 1/2 Cup Glacial Rock Dust
[ ] 1/4 Cup Azomite

[wasgedn]

from what i have read here on ic : chitosan is processed chitin..
chitosan is plant available and dont need to breakdown by microbes...
chitosan is not easy at home produce able....
dont need much of it....its soluble...needs an hour...colder the water as longer it need to get soluble..
some supply sites packin in smaller packs 50gramm...1kg is fockin to expensive
sry dont remember threads...

you can use any chitin source...it just need to get break down in soil first....
crabs etc as supesoil amendment...chitosan is for watering...

[SoilGardener]

Hello!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all whom have contributed to this thread! I have been a thread creeper since 2012 and have never signed up for this forum, but always came back to check on the guys like Gas, Coot, BlueJay, rrog, CtGuy and more!

THANK YOU for providing this knowledge, these links, and your own experiences.

I am based out here in the Boston area and almost everyone still goes to the ---yuck---- hydro store for their botany and nutrition.

I only hope more people can come in tune with this awesome (and imho only way to grow)
growing paradigm.

Currently I run 3 1k de hps with 16 kessil h350/h380 LEDs in a small 8'x16' area using 15 gal no till living soil containers.

Some neat stuff where I live--- s I get an abundant amount of kelp, lobster, crab and oyster shells. All local from the beach or if I scuba dive. Just throw em in my worm bin with barley powder, neem meal and coffee grinds/food scraps from some local restaurants. WOrks great!

Happy to post, first time! Great to officially meet everyone, even though you all seem like friends of mine for the past five years or so now!

[SoilGardener]

Is this Tad from the KiS podcast? Just wanted to say THANKS! awesome, awesome job. Best cannabis podcast out there imho!