So I saw this on CCH2O site and I thought you might be interested.
Quick Q&A response to UC User Regarding Inoculants in Solution
Q-Are organics recommended?
A-Typically it’s the most soluble, mineral based nutes that jive best in water culture. We would recommend using the organics as either a foliar or in small amounts applied directly to the root crown.
Q-I am assuming humic acid, kelp, and the likes, are simply too messy for the cleanliness required in this high-performance system.
A-That’s the issue, aside from the pH issues and other side effects adding these less stable ions into solution can cause.
Q-Do selective inoculants, such as
Great White or SOS (
http://www.superorganicstimulator.com), have a place in the UC system?
A-Yes, but it’s bacterial products that will tend to do better as they are naturally adapted to colonizing in water. Having said this, fungal inocs are also useful but are best served when introduced to the root crown so rhizoshere colonization can occur.
Q-The reason why I ask is because of the fundamental idea to “run it clean”, which in most cases means “as sterile as possible”.
A-Remember clean doesn’t only mean sterile. You can run inocs and teas but they need to be used in homeopathic doses so as to avoid the side effects of biofilms in the system and on the root zone. It’s this biofilm that can inhibit liquid and gas exchange in the root zone slowing plant metabolism and lending to aenerobic conditions.
Q-
Great White has Trichoderma, which keep those roots clean, and Streptomyces to prevent fungal-related infecions. But the problem is the bio residue these organisms produce as they biosynthetize eiher the glycine carrier or fulvic acid. Then there is the 10-14 day water aging period for inoculants, which might not suit more frequent reservoir changes in a high-performance system. SOS, on the other hand, has always run clean in all of the tests done at Garden Indoors
A-Trichoderma and streptomyces are both very over bearing microbes. Either can be used but it’s keeping them from over populating that is the dance. Remember, water culture is hydroponics and not a tea brewer. Tea brewinig is purposely over populating a solution to be diseminated vs. hydroponic solutions which are looking to provide a stable environment for mineral and water assimilation.And agreed, when using teas in heavier doses it does necessiate more nute change out. If SOS is working for you I’d recommend it as a compliment to your nute regime in the UC, but consider a lower dose than recommended.
Q-What would you recommend as far as the inoculant issue is concerned?
A-I would recommend a worm casting tea. (Add two cups to five gallons of water, aerate or stir, strain and then use that liquid at approx 10 mils per gallon in your system) Steeped or aerated worm casting or vermicompost has proven to be the most effective means of providing ecological balance in a water culture setting. The unique nature of red worms intestinal tract makes the likelyhood of disease organisms almost impossible.Closing thought: Avoid adding any input with sugars and carbs into your water culture system, AACT or otherwise. Most out of the bottle/can/tub/bucket inocs have plenty included as a food source for the bacteria so be thoughtful when using.
This entry was posted in
Growing in the Under Current and tagged compost tea,
cultured solutions,
current culture,
heavy,
hydroponics, inoculants,
nutrient, Organics, water, worms, yield on August 29, 2013 by
Current Culture.