Soil building for nutrient density

Got Worms? · October 23, 2013

Hi, Composter. Just thought I'd give you my testing procedure. I think comparative testing is better, if done with clones. A number of test, and control subject plants. 50/50 The cuttings all taken from a single donor (mother) and rooted using the same medium (weigh the medium), in the same size and type container, cleaned with 10% bleach solution. Each addition (water, ferts, etc.) weighed, then given to all the plants at the same time. All the plants receiving the same lighting. There should be only one difference; the test plants have the the additive to be tested. A log kept. And all additions logged.

Observation would include for each plant: weighing of plants (with container) at specific intervals; when the first blossoms appear on each plant, and how many; when fruit set occurs; when fruit ripening occurs; weight, appearance, taste, and brix of fruit picked; number of fruit and total weight of the fruit picked from each plant; and of course all observations noted in the log. Taking specific photos of the plants and adding them to the log reinforces your observations.

Studying the log will give a better representation of how the test plants are doing compared to the control plants.

When I do something like this I like to be able to say: "All things being equal... even though all things are never really equal...the closer you get...the more definitive your results are.

I understand that this is a bit much for many people. I don't do it that often and I’m retired. Just thought I'd throw it out there, in the spirit of helpfulness, for you to pick at and pluck, hopefully, something useful from.

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October 23, 2013	#10
Got Worms? Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NY Zone 5b/6a Posts: 546	Hi, Composter. Just thought I'd give you my testing procedure. I think comparative testing is better, if done with clones. A number of test, and control subject plants. 50/50 The cuttings all taken from a single donor (mother) and rooted using the same medium (weigh the medium), in the same size and type container, cleaned with 10% bleach solution. Each addition (water, ferts, etc.) weighed, then given to all the plants at the same time. All the plants receiving the same lighting. There should be only one difference; the test plants have the the additive to be tested. A log kept. And all additions logged. Observation would include for each plant: weighing of plants (with container) at specific intervals; when the first blossoms appear on each plant, and how many; when fruit set occurs; when fruit ripening occurs; weight, appearance, taste, and brix of fruit picked; number of fruit and total weight of the fruit picked from each plant; and of course all observations noted in the log. Taking specific photos of the plants and adding them to the log reinforces your observations. Studying the log will give a better representation of how the test plants are doing compared to the control plants. When I do something like this I like to be able to say: "All things being equal... even though all things are never really equal...the closer you get...the more definitive your results are. I understand that this is a bit much for many people. I don't do it that often and I’m retired. Just thought I'd throw it out there, in the spirit of helpfulness, for you to pick at and pluck, hopefully, something useful from.