Bloodmeal

[Eleven11]

Okay, so adding bloodmeal to your system raises iron levels and also nitrogen.

I bought the Miracle Gro Organic Choice

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R ... reId=10051

It has 12% nitrogen which I could use about now. The problem is.... it is insoluble.

I added about a tablespoon to each grow bed near the water inlet and buried it about an inch down. I guess the nitrifying microbes will break it down and make it available to the plants?

It doesn't mention iron on the label but I imagine that since it is bloodmeal that it's a given that it contains iron.

[davidstcldfl]

I was wondering the same 11:11....? I just used the same stuff last week, when I was helping at Sahib's research farm. Also added a little organic bone meal too.
Like you, I added some to the grow beds. On the systems with just rafts....I added it to the top of the bio-filters.

[Eleven11]

Today's water tests are very interesting.... I have attached a pic.

The ammonia is up slightly but is normally zero.

The nitrites are close to what I see normally.

The nitrates are MUCH higher than normal. I was usually seeing 10 ppm but today it looks like at least 80ppm plus.

Not bad for insoluble nitrogen that was just added about 18 hours earlier.

System stats:
250 gallon fish tank
(10) large tilapia poop machines
(2) 5 inch Koi mini poopers
(5) 45 gallon (flood and drain) grow beds each populated with various veggie plants

[attachment=0:2dv6aomo]2.14.12 Water Tests.JPG[/attachment:2dv6aomo]

[urbanfarmer]

If it's insoluble how would plants get it in soil?

"AHA!", exclaimed the wise man. "It must be those little tiny invisible critters everyone keeps talking about!", he explained in delight.

[Eleven11]

Right, the only thing that makes sense is that the microbes have to process it first.

[Eleven11]

A slightly better quality picture of today's water tests.
[attachment=3:2ee6mlau]2.15.12 Water tests.JPG[/attachment:2ee6mlau]

Not much different than yesterday.

Here's a pic of the radishes and broccoli. Seeds planted Christmas day.

[attachment=2:2ee6mlau]2.14.12 Bed1.JPG[/attachment:2ee6mlau]

[attachment=1:2ee6mlau]2.14.12 Bed1.2.JPG[/attachment:2ee6mlau]

Here's a pic of the Swiss Chard which was planted Christmas also.

[attachment=0:2ee6mlau]2.14.12 Bed2.JPG[/attachment:2ee6mlau]

[Eleven11]

The plants seem to be doing much better with the addition of the bloodmeal. The slow growing plants like the peppers, cilantro, and tomatoes have perked up and the pale plants like the salvia are greening up now.

Here's a pic of today's water tests. The nitrate level is coming down so I think I'll add a little more bloodmeal.

[attachment=0:1bm7p9ks]2.16.12 Water Tests.JPG[/attachment:1bm7p9ks]

[Eleven11]

Captain's log.....

Today's water tests.... I added another teaspoon of Bloodmeal to each grow bed yesterday after seeing that the nitrate level was going down and ammonia and nitrites were ok. I was expecting higher nitrates today but instead the nitrites came up. I guess I'll go easy on the fish food for today.

[attachment=1:3tt350rq]2.17.12 Water Tests.JPG[/attachment:3tt350rq]

Nitrite test 2 a few hours later....

[attachment=0:3tt350rq]2.17.12 Nitrite at 12pm.JPG[/attachment:3tt350rq]

[Eleven11]

It amazes me that the plants are consuming the nitrates so quickly.

[attachment=0:2hf158qb]2.18.12 Water tests.JPG[/attachment:2hf158qb]

[urbanfarmer]

"Is it the plants?", asked the tinkerer perplexed by the ancient water.

"It must be those little tiny invisible critters everyone keeps talking about!", he realized in amazement.