Edit:
I didnt want to start a new thread for this one question but while you all are on the subject of rock phosphate, could anyone tell me how much is adequate per gallon of recycled soil mix?
Last batch I mixed up I did 1 tbs RP per gallon of soil less mix and I cant for the life of me figure out how I came up with that amount.
When I used to use SFP I'd mix it in at 1 1/2 cups per cubic ft. of soil mix...That was over 1/2 cup the common application rate.
Hard or soft,rock phosphate takes a very long time to break down...the softer being quicker.
HTH CC1
Sorry Capt. I was reading through this thread on my iphone and hit the "no" button on accident.I aerate most all my teas now...why not. If I have no intention of making ACT,then I don't have to go the 24-36 hr brew time...because I'm not making ACT. Just aerating a nute tea for use a couple hours or so later. The additional oxygen can't hurt anything. So we may end up with a pre-mature ACT..so what. There should be plenty of available nutes and some added microbial life.?.?.?
Some sources are not good especially what comes out of Florida from what I understand. I think that's where a lot of this information comes from. Basically though SRP is a waste byproduct of HRP mining.Fluoride and radiation from polonium - the same stuff that made tobacco deadly.. you guys should know rock phosphate is garbage - well now you do!
Don't use this stuff, people!
http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/phosphate.cfm
"The NPWA has a long-standing concern about the phosphate fertiliser industry. Fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6), used to fluoridate drinking water, is derived from the pollution scrubbing operations at those facilities. We have built up a considerable understanding of phosphate rock (PR).
The raw rock (which during phosphate fertiliser production is extensively processed) is contaminated with heavy metals, radionuclides, other toxic metals and fluorides. It is recommended for use as an organic fertiliser in its raw state."
Fluoride and radiation from polonium - the same stuff that made tobacco deadly.. you guys should know rock phosphate is garbage - well now you do!
Don't use this stuff, people!
http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/phosphate.cfm
"The NPWA has a long-standing concern about the phosphate fertiliser industry. Fluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6), used to fluoridate drinking water, is derived from the pollution scrubbing operations at those facilities. We have built up a considerable understanding of phosphate rock (PR).
The raw rock (which during phosphate fertiliser production is extensively processed) is contaminated with heavy metals, radionuclides, other toxic metals and fluorides. It is recommended for use as an organic fertiliser in its raw state."
That's what I've been told it's best for in a tea application.My use of soft rock phosphate in ACT is as a microbial feedstock as well as binding spot for fungal hyphae.
Rock Phosphate 0-4-0
100% pure mined phosphate rock; contains 32% total phosphate that has been washed free of clay impurities. Espoma Rock Phosphate is the finest, highest grade, all natural rock phosphate available.
Organic source of phosphorus & micronutrients
Rock phosphate contains 32% total phosphate (P2O5). Phosphorus is an essential nutrient required by plants that is primarily responsible for healthy root development and fruit and flower production. In addition, rock phosphate is rich in minor elements such as boron, zinc, nickel and iodine which plants need in small amounts for optimum growth.
* Long term, slow-release feeding as the plant needs it
Rock Phosphate becomes naturally available, as the plant needs it. Plant roots give off carbon dioxide and certain organic acids which react with the rock phosphate in the soil, making it available for plant use. Because Espoma® Rock Phosphate is ground to a fine powder, a sufficient part of it is immediately available to the plant because the particles are so tiny that the organic acids and carbon dioxide produced by the plant roots and bacteria in the soil can break them down quickly
Directions:
Light Application: 2 lbs. per 100 square feet
Medium Application: 5 lbs. per 100 square feet
Heavy Application: 10 lbs. per 100 square feet
Broadcast or spread Espoma Rock Phosphate evenly over the entire area. It is recommended that the rock phosphate be incorporated into the soil before seeding or planting. For application during the growing season use the light rates shown above.
The person that taught me about using SRP in teas never mentioned the bacteria feedstock thing so thx for the info. I'm not debating it's value for that with you. He's been growing 30+ years, does writing, has a scope and a bit surprised he never mentioned that. He only mentioned the fungal thing but hear what you're saying about the moss.Nondual; This is not really a big deal because the hyphae can cling to anything. A much better addition for fungal hyphae is sphagnum peat moss as it often provides the spores and is a great binding surface. The soft rock phosphate has much greater importance as a feedstock for bacteria/archaea. (as evidenced by direct microscopy)
He's been growing 30+ years, does writing, has a scope and a bit surprised he never mentioned that
Nice to meet you microbeman, been reading a lot of your posts going through the pages of this section.
Hopefully your source of rp is safe... I use the glacial rock dust myself and guanos.
I guess no one is dying from smoking cannabis - the plant does have it's own anti-cancer properties.
Here's another paragraph from my link above.
"The tailings from phosphoric acid production (phosphate fertiliser), phosphorgypsum, are so radioactive that they are not allowed to be used for wall-board or road beds in the US and Canada - because it is considered a radiation hazard. However, organic growers are allowed to treat their fields with the raw, unprocessed product once every six years, with none of the contaminants processed out.
http://www.epa.gov/radiation/neshaps/subpartr/more.htm
http://www.efma.org/Publications/BAT 2000/Bat04/section04.asp
Taking a closer look at this 'natural' PR mix, we find for example polonium-210:
One particle of polonium-210 gives off 5,000 times more alpha radiation than the same amount of radium. Damage occurs in the body from complete tissue absorption of the energy of the alpha particle. Polonium-210 can be carcinogenic to people exposed to more than 0.03 microcuries (6.8 trillionths of a gram). Polonium-210 has a half-life of about 138 days.(There are also high levels of Radium and Polonium- 210 in granite dust, which is used by organic farmers is some parts of the world as a soil conditioner)."