http://www.gardenscure.com/420 (Discussions on techniques and methods for using natural / organic ingredients for an all natural grow) en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:34:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.gardenscure.com/420/images/blue-green/misc/rss.jpg http://www.gardenscure.com/420 http://www.gardenscure.com/420/organics/132725-tea-time.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:21:11 GMT I am seriously addicted to green tea. The stuff is fantastic. I drink about a gallon a day. But this thread isnt about a beverage for humans. Its rather a beverage for plants. In this case, our favorite plant of all. GANJJJJaaaaaa.

This is going to be like a tea guide for dummies. Why do I say that? Because there will be no big words, it will not be filled with definitions of things I cant see. Simple easy guide, to make some simple and easy tea.

First off, there are plenty of types. Teas are either fungal, or bacterial dominant. Although they usually contain both. These fungi and bacteria come in good and bad forms. When the good outwiegh the bad, things go smoothly. So goal is to keep the good happy. They will take care of the rest. Organic farming relies on microbes, bacteria, fungi, ect...Without them organics would be useless. They feed the plants. The nutrients we use do not feed the plants, rather the creatures of your soil.

In simple terms, all these fungi, bacteria, microbes transport nutrients to your plants roots, as well as protect your plants from diseases.

There are many tea types, many recipies...We will get into that later. Right now we are going to set up a Tea brewing station. Price will be 60-80 dollars depending where you shop.
This system is just for the homegrower. Commercial/Medical grows will most likely need bigger supplies.

First thing we need is proper aeration. No wimpy pumps. We are going to get the Sunleaves durapump air 600 Its rated for 600 gph. Adjustable as well. So large batch or small batch, your covered.
Next we will get the sunleaves air divider. It has 4 outlets, wich of course mean 4 buckets of tea at once. Also has valves to block air while not in use.
To connect all that together, just grab a 20 foot roll of 1/4 inch tubing.
This last is optional. You can use air stones but do not need them. I like them because it prevents the tubing from floating on top of the water. They sink to the bottom...
Sunleaves Air Stone - 6" - Hydroponic Components - Worm's Way - remember, you will need 4.
Last on the list would be buckets. Use anything. Could even use old gallon jugs. Price on this one of course varies. I prefer the home depot/walmart 5 gallons. Get a lid as well If you desire. Its not needed though.
That is really all you need to start brewing some teas.
This system will allow you to properly aerate up to 16 gallons a day of water or tea. Plenty for the average home gardner. I prefer to have each one set up for different needs. Plain water in one bucket, veg formula in another, flower in another... One pump, 4 buckets...Just makes it easier imo. I would take some pics of the whole process, but I think its pretty self explanatory.

So, this is just the begining. We will get much deeper into it. Tea recipies for veg/flower/microbrial dominant/fungal dominant...As well as great items to use in teas. Maybe even get into the mind of the microbes then.

I know plenty is left out, like I said. This is the first post of hopefully a long easy to follow guide for great teas. Any questions, additions, go right ahead. Next post we will explain the brewing process. ]]> Organics illegal-clone http://www.gardenscure.com/420/organics/132725-tea-time.html http://www.gardenscure.com/420/organics/132585-organic-flowering-ferts.html Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:30:58 GMT I need some organic fertilizer for flowering in soil. Any recommendations? I need some organic fertilizer for flowering in soil.

Any recommendations? ]]> Organics firsttimer2065 http://www.gardenscure.com/420/organics/132585-organic-flowering-ferts.html http://www.gardenscure.com/420/organics/132120-organic-coco-mix-question.html Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:34:37 GMT I started growing in Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil cut with 30-40% perlite and had good success with that. I then started trying different high end organic soils and then eventually came across coco. Coco has improved things quite a bit in the garden and has cut out the over watering problems. I'm now trying a mix of coco, soil, and perlite. My last few grows have been with about 50% coco, 25% potting soil, and 25% perlite. This has been working really good but I'd like to add some dry organic nutrients and worm poop to the mix so I can have a very simplified grow.

I ran across Subcool's Super Soil recipe and wanted to use that as a reference but use coco as the base medium instead of organic potting soil (Roots, FFOF). If you guys can check this recipe out and give me feedback it would be appreciated. To give background on my style, I usually grow clones with a 4 week veg then flower typically in 3 gallon pots under a 600 watt HPS. I use fish emulsion with seaweed and molasses for veg and then PBP Bloom with seaweed and molasses for flowering.

Coco Mix (based on Subcool's Super Soil)
3 cu. ft. coco (Instead of 2 large bags of organic potting soil)
10 lbs EWC
.5 cu. ft. compost or good organic potting soil
.5 cu. ft. perlite
1.25 lbs steamed bone meal
1.25 lbs bat guano (bloom)
1.25 lbs blood meal
0.75 lbs rock phosphate (Subcool now omits this)
6tbs epson salts (powdered)
4tbs lime (powdered) most recommend 2 tbs per gallon of soil?
2tbs azomite (powdered)
2 tbs kelp meal (powdered)
2 tbs calcium
1.5tsp humic acid (powdered)
Mix all ingredients really well, add about a gallon of dechlorinated water and let sit/compost for 30 days.
Add soil to bottom 1/3 or 1/2 of flowering container and top off container with a cooler mix. ]]> Organics Rivercat96 http://www.gardenscure.com/420/organics/132120-organic-coco-mix-question.html