Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand November/December 2020 | Page 30

Ca

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Maximum Yield
Top Dressing Ingredients for Adding Calcium ( Ca ):
• Oyster Shell — Oyster shell is an excellent organic source of calcium that will accelerate root development and , in turn , improve nutrient uptake . Oyster shell also works as a pH buffer , keeping the soil from becoming overly acidic .
• Dolomite Lime ( Sweet Lime ) — A rich source of calcium and magnesium . Dolomite lime is also a great pH buffer for any soil composition and , as with oyster shell , ensures the soil ’ s pH doesn ’ t turn too acidic .
It should be mentioned that calcium is imperative for all stages of plant growth and should be incorporated into the vegetative as well as the blooming stage of growth . Calcium is relatively slow to release so it is important to be proactive with dry calcium ingredients in the soil or as a top dress .
“ A good organic living soil will provide adequate nutrition throughout the entire life cycle of the plant .“
Compost Teas
For outdoor growers who do not want to amend the soil via top dressing , there are alternative methods to provide plants with the specific nutrients to boost flower and essential oil production . An organic tea , brewed from any of the previously mentioned dry top-dressing ingredients , can be a very effective way to deliver stage-specific nutrition to an outdoor garden . Teas are generally brewed in a specific tea brewer or other homemade device that combines water , oxygen , and the organic matter for a period of time . When brewed correctly , these teas will not only contain essential elements , but also an abundance of microbial life . Guano teas , especially teas made from high-phosphorus bat or seabird guano , are great additives for the blooming and early ripening stages . Guano teas supplemented during ripening will help increase bloom density and stimulate essential oil production .
Other Organic-Based Liquid Additives
• Liquid Kelp Extracts — Although kelp was once rarely used as a bloom booster , some of the kelp formulations available today are specifically designed to do just that . When harvested at the correct time or in a particular manner , kelp extract can contain a variety of hormones that trigger flowering and ripening . Kelp also contains a high amount of trace elements that are beneficial in the fruiting / flowering stage . Kelp extracts specific to bloom stimulation will encourage rapid cell division during flowering and increase the production of specialised sugars found in fruit or flowers .

• Liquid Amino Acid Formulas ( Protein Hydrolysate and Enzymes ) — Organic products that contain high concentrations of amino acids are great to supplement during the blooming and ripening stage . Protein hydrolysate is essentially organic matter ( usually soy protein ) broken down into the essential L-amino acids . Amino acids are the building blocks of the proteins and enzymes which directly influence the structure and metabolism of plants . Supplementing a protein hydrolysate during the blooming period will Kenhance the utilisation of other nutrients , boost the plant ’ s immune system , increase plant respiration , and reduce stress . Protein hydrolysate is a multifaceted additive that

increases fruit / flower production in many different ways .

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