PRO-MIX Webinar - The Benefits of Biologicals in Growing Media

[RayR]

Premier Tech Horticulture is presenting a PRO-MIX Webinar on October 23, 2013 @ 9:00AM (Eastern Time). Registration is required.

The Benefits of Biologicals in Growing Media
Plus Products - Data & Pictures
Biofungicide & Mycorrhizae Benefits

Presented by Horticultural Specialist Troy Buechel

[amideutch]

We have been talking about the same subjects here at the Ville for the last 6 years.

Ami

[Redbaron]

Registered, thanks

[RayR]

That was an interesting presentation and had a lot more information on the biological part of the Pro-Mix products than I've seen so far on the web site.
In addition to the mycorrhizae inoculant, for the PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDE + MYCORRHIZAE, they chose Bacillus pumilus as the only biofungicide inoculant.
It was also interesting to see the results of the trials with the various soil pathogens.

[saltmarsh]

Originally Posted by RayR

That was an interesting presentation and had a lot more information on the biological part of the Pro-Mix products than I've seen so far on the web site.
In addition to the mycorrhizae inoculant, for the PRO-MIX® BIOFUNGICIDE + MYCORRHIZAE, they chose Bacillus pumilus as the only biofungicide inoculant.
It was also interesting to see the results of the trials with the various soil pathogens.

I don't think the sky is falling, but from your link.

Human infection by Bacillus pumilus is rare, however in 2006 B. pumilus in rice was found to be responsible for 3 cases of food poisoning. The isolated strain produced a complex of lipopeptides called pumilacidins, known to have toxic effects on epithelial cells. The symptoms that resulted from infection included dizziness, headache, chills, back pain, stomach cramps, and diarrhea[11]. Furthermore, in 2007 a report summarizing 3 case studies was published concluding that a strain of Bacillus pumilus was responsible for the development of cutaneous lesions morphologically similar to those caused by Bacillus anthracis [12].

[saltmarsh]

I agree the seminar was quite useful.

One statement in particular helped my understanding of damping off. "The pathogen always builds up in the soil before attacking the plant."

I've never had a problem with damping off. I only bottom water using a hydrogen peroxide solution. Now I know why this works.

[Salsacharley]

Originally Posted by saltmarsh

I agree the seminar was quite useful.

One statement in particular helped my understanding of damping off. "The pathogen always builds up in the soil before attacking the plant."

I've never had a problem with damping off. I only bottom water using a hydrogen peroxide solution. Now I know why this works.

Saltmarsh,

Do you Hydrogen Peroxide in every watering?

Thanks,

Charley

[RayR]

Originally Posted by saltmarsh

I agree the seminar was quite useful.

One statement in particular helped my understanding of damping off. "The pathogen always builds up in the soil before attacking the plant."

I've never had a problem with damping off. I only bottom water using a hydrogen peroxide solution. Now I know why this works.

Yep the damping off pathogen needs the moist soil conditions to grow, attacks the roots before it moves up the stem.

The downside of Hydrogen Peroxide is that free O2 radical kills living bacterial and fungal cells indiscriminately. Too much also kill root cells.
The biological alternative serves the same purpose but works continuously, and suppresses only pathogens. There are also the PGP effects of beneficial bacteria and fungi that is a big plus for plant health and growth that the chemical approach can't do.

[saltmarsh]

"Saltmarsh,

Do you Hydrogen Peroxide in every watering?

Thanks,

Charley"

Yes, 1 Tbls regular (3%) hydrogen peroxide per liter of water from when the seed are planted until I start moving them outside to harden off. I use mud trays which hold about a 1/2 inch of water/peroxide for the flats to sit in. I get them from Dollar Tree for a buck each (but they don't stock them all the time, so when I find them, I normally buy 40 at a time). Your light table has to be level for this to work.

http://www.amazon.com/Everything-boo...d_sim_indust_1

I use nctomatoman's dense planting method and use a spray bottle with the mixture for potting up also. Claud

http://tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=437

[moon1234]

The biological in Pro-Mix is genetically engineered as well. I tend to steer clear of all of that stuff.

[RayR]

Originally Posted by moon1234

The biological in Pro-Mix is genetically engineered as well. I tend to steer clear of all of that stuff.

Where did you get that idea?
Glomus intraradices mycorrhizae and Bacillus pumilus are naturally occurring organisms. I've heard of researchers experimenting with genetic engineering on mycorrhizae to make strains that can associate with plants in environments that they would not naturally occur, like rice paddys, but that's just research.

[AKmark]

This year is the first year I have grown tomatoes in pro-mix, which was in containers of course. In the past I have grown them in raised beds in a mix of dirt, cow, and chicken manure with good results. However, the plants this year blew any tomatoes away that I have ever grown, taste was exceptional and yields were no comparison. I did put alot of effort into my tomatoes this year and did the best I could, past years too much kayaking, not enough care, could be a factor too.

[Labradors2]

Hubby bought me a huge bag of Grow Mix this summer and I thought that I was all set for my seed-starting next spring until I realized that it contains those darned water-retention crystals. Has anyone had any experience in using them for seed starting? I'm very careful about watering my seedlings (not over-watering) and I wonder if I can get away with it?

Linda

[Smithma]

I also bought a bag this fall for seed starting and raised bed amendment, looks I will be watering seeds and seedlings from the bottom only

[Labradors2]

I too wondered if watering from the bottom would solve the problem. I guess all we can do is experiment and find out.

I did try some of the Pro-mix this summer when I grew out some seedlings to find out if they were potato leafed. I used small peat pots, and I wondered if I could get them to flower and fruit before winter, so I kept them going for several weeks before I ran out of time. They grew about a foot tall before time ran out and I had to toss them. I would say that it's not a problem in peat pots. The problem is that I don't want to use peat pots again.....

Linda

Originally Posted by Smithma

I also bought a bag this fall for seed starting and raised bed amendment, looks I will be watering seeds and seedlings from the bottom only