Discussion forum for environmentally-friendly alternatives to replace synthetic chemicals and fertilizers.
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#31 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fairfax, VA Z7
Posts: 524
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I hear ya Ray, Pay more get less.....Espoma has their own idea of a stimulus package for their business. LOL
George |
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#32 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 610
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I used Bio-Tone Starter Plus last season. I incorporated about a cup of the Bio-Tone to a 4 gallon bucket of Pro-Mix (not BX). I didn't use this for seed starting, I used this mix when I potted up the seedlings to individual cups.
This was used for most of my transplants, but for my control (not scientific by any means), I used some peppers, Jalapeños I believe without checking my notes. I used plain Pro-Mix on the healthiest seedlings (4) and the Bio-Tone Starter Plus mix on the three weaklings (3). The weak ones would have gone to compost heaven in any other garden season. By the time they were hardened off the weaklings were 50% larger in overall height and stem thickness, and were a much darker, healthier green color. This year I plan to incorporate the Starter Plus in all the mix I use for potting up. I'll probably increase the volume of Starter Plus to 2 cups per 4 gallons of Pro-Mix. |
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#33 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Iowa Zone 5
Posts: 305
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This thread is indeed informative. I know Light Warrior is a fine seed starting medium, as I have used it for years.
But it is no longer available locally. I was going to switch to Miracle Grow seed starting mix from our Lowes, (but now viewing this thread) I don’t know what to do. I guess my question is: How important is a Mycorrhizae enhanced medium for seedlings versus availability and cost?
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Tomatovillain |
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#34 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Abilene, TX zone 7
Posts: 1,478
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Simmran1,
A 5 pound bag of biostarter plus is around 10.00. If you can buy it locally, you would not have to pay shipping. Not a bad trade off. I am new to mycorrhizae use, so I can't comment on the cost thing. |
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#35 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Z8b, Texas
Posts: 657
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PDF on Tryton BioStarter plus Silical
Another One: Evaluation Of Bio-Start™ Soil Conditioners For Control Of Sclerotia Of Ciborinia Camelliae ~* Robin
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It's not how many seeds you sow. Nor how many plants you transplant. It's about how many of them can survive your treatment of them ![]() |
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#36 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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OK, for you folks in Texas I came across a company the carries some very interesting products. They sell there products locally in the Houston area and do not do online ordering. The one product of special interest is "MicroGro AF W.D." and "MicroGro Granular" plus they have some interesting Bio ferts. Heres the Link. Ami
http://www.sanjacorganic.com/horticultural.htm
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
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#37 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Abilene, TX zone 7
Posts: 1,478
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Thanks for the link. I usually go to Houston area a few times a year. I will have to make a stop when I am there.
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#38 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Z8b, Texas
Posts: 657
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It's not economical for me to drive there. Reason: Driving directions to Houston, TX, 257 mi – about 4 hours 1 min. By road; NOT as the crow flies. Umm... just one way. I have no need to go that way at all.
~* Robin
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It's not how many seeds you sow. Nor how many plants you transplant. It's about how many of them can survive your treatment of them ![]() |
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#39 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Abilene, TX zone 7
Posts: 1,478
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I have need, as my family lives there, otherwise, I would not go to Houston.
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#40 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PNW
Posts: 4,743
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There are a few identified strains of bacteria and fungi that will attack pathogenic foliage diseases, but whether any particular commercial biocontrol will work for this is an open question. Most of the existing research (that we have reports for) was focused on biocontrols that will control bugs that prey on foliage (spider mites, larvae, etc), not on biocontrols for fungal or bacterial foliage disease. I would certainly doubt that fungal mycorhizzae that natively inhabit root systems are going to provide much competition for foliage disease when sprayed on the foliage, because foliage is not their natural environment. Beneficial bacteria, like that used in Actinovate, on the other hand, can probably adapt to more varied environments than mycorhizzae. There may be fungal competitors (like various trichoderma species) as well for chronic foliage diseases that can and do survive on the leaves of plants. There is so little peer-reviewed, reproducible research on it, however, that I would suspect any claims that foliar spraying of some biocontrol product is definitely going to help the plant (unless the problem that one is trying to control is some bug infestation, where there has been more work done). Work on this in the scientific community continues, though. Here is an abstract of a paper on biological control of cucumber diseases, for example: http://www.actahort.org/members/show...knrarnr=608_28 A good overview of plant pathogen biocontrol research: http://www.entomology.wisc.edu/mbcn/fea303.html
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-- alias Last edited by dice; February 17, 2009 at 03:51 PM. Reason: readability |
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#41 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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If you are going to use mycorrhiza stay away from high phosphate ferts such as Tomato Tone as it will make the mycorrhiza in effective. You shouldn't use anything with a "P" higher that 4. Ami
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
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#42 |
Tomatoville® Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 4,386
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Espoma has a 5-3-3 with micros that I am going to use this summer in con★★★★★★★★ with my myco.
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Michael |
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#43 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 23
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Michael- Which Espoma product is that? I can no longer find a local source for Tomato-tone and have had to switch to Garden-tone, so I'm willing to try (or try to find) another product.
Elizabeth |
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#44 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fairfax, VA Z7
Posts: 524
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For local source for Tomato Tone, check your local Kmart, hardware store and plant nurseries. Kmart may be able to order some in for you.
George |
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#45 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Abilene, TX zone 7
Posts: 1,478
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Elizabeth,
Michael is referring to Plant Tone. |
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