Amendment question - Organic Soil - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

Biggobelly · 12-03-2016, 03:08 PM

Which is better to add as an amendment to my basic soil recipe? Feather meal or Blood meal? Which will provide the micro-herd a longer lasting source of N to break down (given using equal amounts)?

aridbud · 12-03-2016, 03:21 PM

Feather meal is made from the ground feathers of birds such as chickens raised for consumption. It is partially hydrolyzed under high heat and pressure, and then ground up. Growers use this byproduct for its high nitrogen levels, despite the fact that plants cannot easily absorb it in this form.

I'd go for alfalfa meal.

https://gentleworld.org/whats-hiding-...ic-fertilizer/

Biggobelly · 12-03-2016, 03:21 PM

Also, should I be using Sodium Bentonite clay or Calcium Bentonite clay? I am assuming the latter, but wanted to make sure before I drop the dough.

Biggobelly · 12-03-2016, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aridbud

Feather meal is made from the ground feathers of birds such as chickens raised for consumption. It is partially hydrolyzed under high heat and pressure, and then ground up. Growers use this byproduct for its high nitrogen levels, despite the fact that plants cannot easily absorb it in this form.

I'd go for alfalfa meal.

https://gentleworld.org/whats-hiding-...ic-fertilizer/

Thanks for the response, Aridbud! I already have been using alfalfa meal in my amendments, but the last batch was week in N. Looking to add more N to the mix without using bat guanos. Also have neem cake and karanja cake in the mix.

P-NUT · 12-03-2016, 06:30 PM

Try fish meal but dont add as a topdress put in your mix. Its slower release than blood and all around better than feather meal. Both blood meal and feather meal come from animals more than likely given antibiotics and dewormed with something like ivermectin. Not saying dont use them as I have for years but fish and alfalfa is what Ive settled on after years of experimenting. Neem meal is good too I usually use it as a topdress at transplant cuz I feel the smell keeps bugs away somewhat but dont add later in flower or itll mess with the flavor.

who dat is · 12-03-2016, 06:37 PM

If you are looking for longer lasting sources of Nitrogen I would look at different kinds of seed meals to mix in. Neem will probably be the easiest to source or maybe something like cotton seed meal. Blood meal breaks down very quickly and can burn your plants very easily if overused.

Biggobelly · 12-03-2016, 07:15 PM

Thanks, all! I am putting in my order for Cotton Seed Meal and Fish Meal now. Should be here in a couple of days. Going to try fish meal first since I feed my girls from the bounty of the ocean whenever I can.

truck · 12-06-2016, 06:21 PM

use feather meal. Its is a slow release N, even though it has high N levels it also has higher levels of calcium than most sources of N which is a bonus in growing cannabis. This is also why the micro heard loves it.

truck · 12-06-2016, 06:23 PM

unsteamed bone meal is great to or fish bone meal, you want the chunky stuff. Good amounts of slow release P with ample amounts of calcium as well.

biggreg · 12-06-2016, 09:30 PM

Feather meal is a processed protein powder basically. The protein in feathers is hard to break down so it's supposed to be a slow release.

Blood meal is fast release they say

Both seem really gross to me. I'm looking for alternatives as well.

Something cleaner and with less animal cruelty and chemicals, drugs , and who knows what added.

Cotton is the most pesticide drenched crop ever. Cotton seed meal worries me too

How about unflavored and unsweetened vegan protein powders? 100% Protein is 16% N.

I used to order from these guys during my lifting days.
https://truenutrition.com/p-6606-alf...owder-1lb.aspx

Alfalfa protein power at 50% protein so it's 8% n by weight.

They have hemp protein as well

12-03-2016, 03:08 PM	#1
Biggobelly Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Near water Posts: 66	Amendment question Which is better to add as an amendment to my basic soil recipe? Feather meal or Blood meal? Which will provide the micro-herd a longer lasting source of N to break down (given using equal amounts)?
	Quote

12-03-2016, 03:21 PM	#2
aridbud automeister Join Date: May 2013 Location: the best place on earth Posts: 5,589	Feather meal is made from the ground feathers of birds such as chickens raised for consumption. It is partially hydrolyzed under high heat and pressure, and then ground up. Growers use this byproduct for its high nitrogen levels, despite the fact that plants cannot easily absorb it in this form. I'd go for alfalfa meal. https://gentleworld.org/whats-hiding-...ic-fertilizer/ __________________ Seeds have the power to preserve species, to enhance cultural as well as genetic diversity, to counter economic monopoly and to check the advance of conformity on all its many fronts. Michael Pollan Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower. John Harrigan Instant gratification takes too long. Carrie Fisher - RIP. *afterthought autos* We are passionate breeders of unique quality cannabis autoflower hybrid seeds at down to earth prices; now 11 years running! https://www.icmag.com/ic/forumdisplay.php?f=65770
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

12-03-2016, 06:30 PM	#5
P-NUT Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 513	Try fish meal but dont add as a topdress put in your mix. Its slower release than blood and all around better than feather meal. Both blood meal and feather meal come from animals more than likely given antibiotics and dewormed with something like ivermectin. Not saying dont use them as I have for years but fish and alfalfa is what Ive settled on after years of experimenting. Neem meal is good too I usually use it as a topdress at transplant cuz I feel the smell keeps bugs away somewhat but dont add later in flower or itll mess with the flavor.
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

12-03-2016, 06:37 PM	#6
who dat is Cave Dweller Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,023	If you are looking for longer lasting sources of Nitrogen I would look at different kinds of seed meals to mix in. Neem will probably be the easiest to source or maybe something like cotton seed meal. Blood meal breaks down very quickly and can burn your plants very easily if overused. __________________ Instagram @whodatisco Who grows Glue better than you. (current)
	Quote 1 members found this post helpful.

12-03-2016, 07:15 PM	#7
Biggobelly Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Near water Posts: 66	Thanks, all! I am putting in my order for Cotton Seed Meal and Fish Meal now. Should be here in a couple of days. Going to try fish meal first since I feed my girls from the bounty of the ocean whenever I can.
	Quote

12-06-2016, 06:21 PM	#8
truck Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 146	use feather meal. Its is a slow release N, even though it has high N levels it also has higher levels of calcium than most sources of N which is a bonus in growing cannabis. This is also why the micro heard loves it.
	Quote

12-06-2016, 06:23 PM	#9
truck Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 146	unsteamed bone meal is great to or fish bone meal, you want the chunky stuff. Good amounts of slow release P with ample amounts of calcium as well.
	Quote

12-06-2016, 09:30 PM	#10
biggreg Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alaska Posts: 481	Feather meal is a processed protein powder basically. The protein in feathers is hard to break down so it's supposed to be a slow release. Blood meal is fast release they say Both seem really gross to me. I'm looking for alternatives as well. Something cleaner and with less animal cruelty and chemicals, drugs , and who knows what added. Cotton is the most pesticide drenched crop ever. Cotton seed meal worries me too How about unflavored and unsweetened vegan protein powders? 100% Protein is 16% N. I used to order from these guys during my lifting days. https://truenutrition.com/p-6606-alf...owder-1lb.aspx Alfalfa protein power at 50% protein so it's 8% n by weight. They have hemp protein as well
	Quote