QUESTION RE HOW TO USE AND ENHANCE EFFECTS OF INSECT FRASS from Newbie Grower seeking criticism & advice:
Does anyone here have experience with PRE-MIXING POTTING MEDIUM/SOIL with both INSECT FRASS (dry from package) and MYCORRHIZAL POWDER?
Insect Frass is supposed to build a plant's resistance to pests; adding the myco fungi is supposed to enhance the effect of the Frass. Do you aggree?
(1) I am thinking of Pre-mixing Insect Frass into potting medium/soil before planting: Directions of one manufacturer of insect frass (NPK of 2-2-2) is to mix 1 Cup dry Insect Frass per 1 Cu Ft of potting medium/soil before planting. Is this too high a ratio of Frass to potting soil?
(2) I think I will also (a) roll dampened seed (pre-soaked in warm non-chlorinated/non-chloramine water for 8 to 10 hrs before planting) in Endomycorrhizal Powder before inserting the seed into its rooting cube/plug, and then also (b) lightly coating that rooting cube/plug with powdered Endomycorrhizal Powder to help create a better germination environment for the emerging seedling.
My Beginner Plan = totally Outdoors grow, germination to harvest, in air-root-pruning 5 gal (small autos, maybe two plants) 10 to 12.5 gal (medium height, maybe two plants) and 25 gal (Jack Herer tall, one plant), within secure fenced mostly sunny area.
Foundation potting soil mix = 3 cu ft non-soil peat based mix innoculated with Endomycorrhizae plus 1.5 cu ft
FFOF, into which I am thinking of adding Insect Frass plus Endomycorrhizal powder (which has four Endomycorrhizae species, two of which are specifically used by cannabis).
In order to completely skip transplant step (attempting to imitate Mother Nature), each seed will be germinated in its final grow pot. Cannot grow directly in garden soil because of endemic killer Oak Root Rot Fungus (Armillaria mellea).
After filling a pot with foundation potting mix (which I will moisten), I will hollow out of the foundation potting soil, a planting hole 6 in diam x 8 in depth. I will put about a Tablespoon of Endomycorrhizal powder into the bottom of that planting hole, then fill that planting hole with a commercially prepared seed germination potting mix (which I will moisten). Then I will place the rooting cube/plug with its shallowly encased pre-soaked seed into that hollowed out "pot" of germination soil and then lightly cover the rooting plug with 1-2 cm of germination soil.
I will do the initial mistings-waterings with a spray bottle (containing a weak solution of German chamomile tea to reduce chance of "damping off") and using a digital moisture measuring probe to monitor adequacy of moisture for the germinating seed-seedling. Please suggest other methods to prevent "damping off".
The digital moisture measuring probe is also supposed to measure soil pH ( I haven't tried it out yet), and I am deciding which inexpensive tool to get to measure water pH. Any suggestions?
I haven't yet mixed my simple foundation potting soil so please tell me about proportions. I have looked at several recipes for growing mediums and decide to make it as simple as possible by just using commercially prepared mixes. I am going to cultivate less than 6 plants.
I also purchased a 30 lb bag of Worm Castings from my local hydro store which I am thinking of using for "top dressing" (once the seedlings grow to about 6 to 10 inches height, or for making nutrient tea for a "drench". Which is better.... "top dressing" or "drench"?
Note: I am growing solely for Personal Medical Use. I do not smoke (or "vape"); bud flavour & taste are not important. What I harvest will be for making sublingual drops and topical oils, creams, & salves.
All criticisms, advice, suggestions, corrections welcome, please. This is a learning experience for me.