 |
|
|||
|
||||
Home
Search
Forum 
Register
Login
Recent
Posts| Viewing User Profile for: Trent | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| About | Contact | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Post Statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Trent has contributed to 14 posts out of 2610 total posts
(0.54%) in 85 days (0.16 posts per day).
20 Most recent posts:
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
This miticide BOOSTS spider mite populations Oct 22, 2008 02:04 AM
(Total replies: 0)
I just found this article and had to share. It could save someone a lot of work. In a nutshell, using Bifenthrin insecticide on spider mites makes them more fertile thus making the population GROW and spread! See: COPING WITH SPIDER MITES by Alan A. Fisher Originally Published in the September 2003 Bulletin of the American Dahlia Society. http://dev.dahlia.org/index.php?page=coping-with-spider-mites Jim People ask me why I don't have a pet. I tell them I have a hard enough time keeping a plant alive, I don't want that to happen to an animal.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Trace minerals? Oct 12, 2008 02:26 PM
(Total replies: 4)
I agree, not all humates are equal. Just the way they are formed and the things they are formed from make every one different from the next. In my experiments I was using natural leaf mold and other organic "litter" that had accumulated and decomposed naturally over the past 13 years on a friend's property. I was able to extract very large quantities of organics. A few tablespoons of humus could give an extract darker than black coffee. This was the most I could make in one batch at home. I was not making the usual "tea" as in soaking composted material for weeks at a time. In 2 hours I could get a product thicker than water, almost as black as paint (yet clear-not cloudy), pH neutral, with very low salt content, and nearly saturated with water soluble organics. For 2 full summers I watered and sprayed my plants almost exclusively with these concentrates, with no dilution, and never burnt a single one. They did just fine. I still make my humate extracts like this. Cost of reagents to do the extraction is $1. Most of the remaining cost is for gas as I boil off the excess water. People ask me why I don't have a pet. I tell them I have a hard enough time keeping a plant alive, I don't want that to happen to an animal.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Trace minerals? Oct 12, 2008 12:58 PM
(Total replies: 4)
I got interested in humate and kelp extracts first as growth stimulants, and I still use them for that. The cycads I have like certain trace minerals and kelp extract has more than anything else I've found, so I use it for that reason also. Last summer I did an experiment growing some plants in semi-sterile media which had been treated with my humate and kelp extracts. After 3 months side by side on my balcony in hot or rainy weather, the plant living only off the kelp extract was healthier than the plant living off the humate extract. They got nothing but water for 3 months and had to live off the extracts on the semi-sterile media. The difference in root growth was very impressive. I can email photos or post them if anyone is interested. I'm not trying to change your mind about using kelp, I'm just relating my own experiences with it. I'm going to get on my soapbox temporarily here to make a couple points, then I'll shut up. As a chemist, the way I look at some things is I don't get worried at seeing some heavy metals in something like the kelp analysis I posted. The quantities are small, and we are routinely exposed to much higher amounts of more harmful chemicals in our daily lives. One of my pet peeves is over-cooked food. If it has turned to charcoal, it is not food anymore. Analysis can prove that. I've analyzed things like that and I know what chemicals are in that charcoal and I don't want to eat them. Other people like it and are healthy enough, but this is my choice not to eat pyrolysis products. Another pet peeve is smoky diesel engines on busses and trucks. It is safer to breath gasseous pollutants from any source than to breath the particulates from diesel engines. Again, these are concentrated pieces of pyrolysis products and as particulates they are not expelled from the lungs easily like a gas would be. Therefore the lung tissue has a carcinogenic particulate on it for a long time, but many people say there is less pollution from diesels and go on breathing the smoke. Not me !! It's the smoke that'll get you. [I get off my soapbox now] P.S. Please understand, I wasn't trying to be argumentative, or mad or anything. I just felt like backing up my point of view. I agree with your choice not to use kelp for the same reasons you have.  I'm not eating the plants I grow so I don't mind using kelp. (In fact, the sap from the cycads is carcinogenic AND neurotoxic so here too, it is much worse than the kelp extract.) Everything is relative. P.S.S. I don't have a family to worry about either. Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Foliar feeding? Oct 12, 2008 12:17 PM
(Total replies: 2)
Last summer I was making my own humate and kelp extracts. I have several cycads which I sprayed regularly. Maybe I was just lucky, or maybe it was simply the act of spraying, but I never had a single problem with sucking insects on the plants. (Many generations of gnats living in the soil were very happy though.) Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Cycad Growing Tips - How to grow Cycads. »
Unusual spots on leaves - Can't determine cause Oct 11, 2008 10:26 PM
(Total replies: 0)
One of my 5 Cycas revoluta is prone to having very pale green or yellow leaves. Sometimes the leaves have lost much green color and appear grey except for dark green spots scattered through the leaves. I have not been able to determine the cause of the yellowing or the grey color with green spots. I don't even know if it's a nutrient deficiency or excess. The soil and fertilizer is the same for all 5 cycads, yet only 1 or 2 get the discoloration. The smallest plant, in the photos, has never had leaves as dark green as the other plants in the 3 years I've had it. I would appreciate any thoughts. There are 4 photos of cycad leaves at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/25872496@N05/2932412157 P.S. Copy the link to your browser, don't let it take you automatically or it'll keep opening email for some reason. Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana. Edited by Trent on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:30 PM Edited by Trent on Oct 11, 2008 at 10:32 PM Edited by Trent on Oct 12, 2008 at 01:08 PM Edited by Trent on Oct 12, 2008 at 01:15 PM Edited by Trent on Oct 12, 2008 at 01:36 PM Edited by Trent on Oct 12, 2008 at 01:38 PM Edited by trent on Oct 12, 2008 at 02:01 PM
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Gnat control Oct 10, 2008 12:00 PM
(Total replies: 0)
The only bug problem I'm having is with gnats which live in the moist soil. Just a nusance pest. When growing a plant which likes to be kept moist, how can I control the gnat population in my house? I've tried many things but only had little success. These are just ordinary tiny gnats, about 1mm total wingspan. Thanks Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Mycorrhizae? Oct 10, 2008 11:52 AM
(Total replies: 1)
Does anyone inoculate their soil with Mycorrhizae fungi? It is said that about 80% of terrestrial plants benefit from mycorrhiza fungi in the soil. I imagine this is true for bananas also. Is anyone doing this specifically? Thanks Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Foliar feeding? Oct 10, 2008 11:49 AM
(Total replies: 2)
Do bananas like to be foliar fed? Any particular type of food to use for foliar fertilization? Thanks Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Safe Insecticides for bananas? Oct 10, 2008 11:47 AM
(Total replies: 0)
What insecticides are safe to use on bananas and which should I not use? Thanks Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Trace minerals? Oct 10, 2008 11:45 AM
(Total replies: 4)
Does Musa basjoo require any special trace minerals for optimum health, as Cycads do? In addition to regular fertilizer, I'm supplementing with Kelp extract for which I found the following analyses online: http://www.life-enthusiast.com/twilight/research_kelp.htm Ascophyllum nodosum Kelp Element Weight % ppm Aluminum .193000 1930. Antimony .000142 1.42 Barium .001276 12.76 Boron .019400 194.0 Calcium 1.904000 19040. Carbon Undeclared Chlorine 3.680000 36800. Chromium ------------ --------- Cobalt .001227 12.27 Copper .000635 6.35 Fluorine .032650 326.5 Germanium .000005 0.05 Gold .000006 0.06 Hydrogen Undeclared Iodine .062400 624. Iron .089560 895.6 Lanthanum .000019 0.19 Lead .000014 0.14 Lithium .000007 0.07 Magnesium .213000 2130. Manganese .123500 1235. Mercury .000190 1.90 Molybdenum .001592 15.92 Nickel .003500 35.00 Nitrogen .062400 624. Oxygen Undeclared Osmium Trace Phosphorus .211000 2110. Potassium 1.280000 12800. Rubidium .000005 0.05 Selenium .000043 0.43 Silicon .164200 1642. Silver .000004 0.04 Sodium 4.180000 41800. Strontium .074876 748.76 Sulphur 1.564200 15642. Tellurium Trace Thallium .000293 2.93 Tin .000006 0.06 Titanium .000012 0.12 Tungsten .000033 0.33 Uranium .000004 0.04 Vanadium .000531 5.31 Zinc .003516 35.16 Zirconium .000001 0.01 44 elements http://www.ogt.ie/Products_amenity.html Ascophyllum nodosum kelp elemental analysis Cold processed seaweed extract Carbohydrates : Mannitol. 6.0% by wt 60,000 ppm Alginic acid. 20.1 wt% 201,000 ppm Methylpentosans. 10.0 wt% 100,000 ppm Laminarins 10.9 wt% 109,000 ppm Fucoidin 1.335wt% 13,350 ppm Phenols/Polyphenols. 66.5 mg/Kg 66.5ppm Trace Elemental Analysis : Calcium as Ca. 2.555 wt% 25,550 ppm Fluorine as F. 0.0218 wt% 218 ppm Iron as Fe. 0.0887 wt% 887 ppm Iodine as I. 0.25 wt% 2,500 ppm Potassium as K. 0.875 wt% 8,750 ppm Magnesium as Mg. 0.895 wt% 8,950 ppm Manganese as Mn. 0.0029 wt% 29 ppm Nitrogen as N. 1.125 wt% 11,250 ppm Phosphorus as P. 0.095 wt% 950 ppm Sulphur as S. 2.115 wt% 21,150 ppm Vitamin Analysis: Vitamin A Retinol. 35.000 ug/kg = ppb Vitamin B1 10.900 ug/kg Vitamin B2 8.000 ug/kg Vitamin B3 5.110 ug/kg Vitamin B6 42.000 ug/kg Vitamin B12 4.500 ug/kg Vitamin C 4.875 ug/kg Vitamin D 100.00 ug/kg Vitamin E 188.400 ug/kg Vitamin K 1.800 ug/kg Amino Acid Analysis: Alanine 8.22 ug/kg = ppb Arginine 10.000 ug/kg Cystine 6.000 ug/kg Glycine 6.500 ug/kg Proline 6.000 ug/kg Serine 14.550 ug/kg Taurine 2.250 ug/kg Thiamine 4.440 ug/kg Tyrosine 3.220 ug/kg Plant Hormones: Betaines 6.800 ug/kg = ppb Gibberillins 14.000 ug/kg Auxins 21.7 ug/kg Cytokinins 0.285 ug/kg My own tests have shown greatly improved root growth with kelp extracts. I have not found any other product with such a high concentration of so many elements. Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
How much growth for indoor banana in winter? Oct 10, 2008 11:04 AM
(Total replies: 2)
I have had my little banana plant exactly 1 month now and it is already putting out its 3rd leaf. It was outside at the store and weather has been cool (40's to 60's). Now it is in my bathroom w warmth, 12 hrs light, & humidity. Should I cut back on the light to let it slow down for the winter. Maybe it likes the light and warmth in my house and that's why the growth spurt? If I keep the current light and warmth, can I expect such rapid growth all winter? Thanks. Time flies like an arrow, but fruit flies like a banana.
Banana Growing tips- How to grow banana. »
Need help diagnosing leaf coloration Oct 9, 2008 03:07 AM
(Total replies: 0)
I have had my little banana plant for 1 month now. The first new leaf it sent up was uniformly green after exposure to the light. The second leaf was more pale, even yellow near the base, and it has tiny dark green spots scattered irregularly along the veins. I've been seeing a very similar pattern in one of my cycas revoluta also. All my cycads get the same treatment, I don't understand the one tiny plant with the pale leaves. There is an online plant nutrient deficiency diagnosis site at http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/nutdef/decision.htm which is nice. According to them, The most likely problem is low iron, with low sulfur or low manganese being second choices. Cycads are not supposed to like too much iron, so I hear. What about bananas? Can I give it some Ironite? The plant is a little over 1 foot high, has 5 leaves now, and is in an 8" pot with a high organic soil & good drainage (unchanged from how I bought it.) I've been fertilizing the banana with some Miracid 30-10-10, liquid kelp extract, humates, and some fish emulsion. Similar to my cycads. The liquid kelp extract has a remarkable list of trace elements. My own tests have shown improved growth for plants given this extract. I'd be surprised if minerals were lacking. Has anyone seen this kind of coloration and what did you do about it? Thanks. A mind is like a parachute, it works better when it's open.
Getting to know other members ... »
New banana grower in Illinois Sep 9, 2008 06:54 PM
(Total replies: 0)
Hello to everyone here, I just joined this forum so this is my introduction. Yesterday I bought a Musa basjoo I found by accident. I've been lucky lately growing a small assortment of cacti and my favorites, 5 Cycas revoluta. They are some of the most ancient seed bearing plants still in existence. They date back 300 million years and used to be dinosaur food. I've always liked exotic plants, but they haven't always liked me. Being a chemist, I can't help experimenting and some plants would rather be left alone. Lately I'm doing a lot of experiments with fertilizers, especially kelp and kelp extracts, and humate extracts. I make most extracts myself. Plants seem to like the kelp. My first job now is to try to get the banana used to my living conditions, and learn what it likes. I'm in the Chicago, Illinois suburbs. With winter getting close, giving the banana light and humidity will be the first hurdles. I'm sure I'll be asking for advice. Thanks, Jim A mind is like a parachute, it works better when it's open.
Getting to know other members ... »
Hi, New To The Forum. Sep 9, 2008 06:42 PM
(Total replies: 8)
Hello to everyone here, I just joined this forum so this is my introduction. Yesterday I bought a Musa basjoo I found by accident. I've been lucky lately growing a small assortment of cacti and my favorites, 5 Cycas revoluta. They are some of the most ancient seed bearing plants still in existance. They date back 300 million years and used to be dinosaur food. I've always liked exotic plants, but they haven't always liked me. Being a chemist, I can't help experimenting and some plants would rather be left alone. Lately I'm doing a lot of experiments with fertilizers, especially kelp and kelp extracts, and humate extracts. I make most extracts myself. Plants seem to like the kelp. My first job now is to try to get the banana used to my living conditions. I'm in the Chicago, Illinois suburbs. With winter getting close, giving the banana light and humidity will be the first hurdles. I'm sure I'll be asking for advice. Thanks, Jim A mind is like a parachute, it works better when it's open. [ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||