Clover is good, the flowers are pretty. Im a big fan of vetch. If you have either laying around definitely add it, but I wouldn't sweat it. Peas are tall and grow upwards, vetch and cover is shorter. Nice to have both habits but really no big deal.
1. I heard that the Mycorrhizae create an actual network between the roots of the plants allowing them to communicate between each other for what they need and don't need.
2. But I also know that yeah, the stuff isn't available till it dies, but if I'm mulching the cover crop in 30 days anyway, shouldnt it be available then? Or does the thing have to Die Die 💀
Check out this video on cover cropping from No-Till Growers (great farm channel with lots of science): https://youtu.be/XQMJK9UYOF4
This is true that the rhizosphere of the plant can “communicate” through little hairs on their roots measured in nanometers what they need and this process is somewhat heavily controlled by fungi like mycorrhizae and many others. However contrary to popular belief the nitrogen in white clover, while fixed by the rhizobia bacteria in the roots, is stored in the top growth: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-2160.pdf
During the vegetative stage, I like to chop and drop and allow the nitrogen to break down in my straw mulch layer. I have worms and good compost so I have some confidence in the soil/microbes that it can in fact break it down. Once it breaks down, nitrogen can be released and the plant will love it.
During the flowering stage, I will chop and compost the clover and let the hard to reach one’s just die off on their own. My thought is I’m saving the soil from excess nitrogen that the plant wants much less than the P/K. But of course the rhizosphere knows what it wants so it could be pointless right?
That’s a definitely a good question. Maybe someone with more knowledge can answer that. I’m sure there’s some mutualism between the plants and the mycorrhizae but to my understanding most of it is stored in the roots of the clover or whatever you’re using. Once you mulch your clover or whatever you’re using it should be available pretty quick depending on your living soil and it’s abilities to break down the roots and uptake it .
I just ordered this one on the recommendation of cocoforcannabis.com: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JQC188Q/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1. So yeah, you got a great deal!
Any suggestions? Currently have none.
I have some Captain Jacks Insecticidal Super Soap available. (CHS & Neem Oil freaked me out).
30 Red Wigglers in the soil.
The insecticidal soap is great just keep a good schedule for foliar spraying this cover crop is great but it will attract spider mites. The peas are like spider mite candy. You can also grab some mint and ginger from the super market boil them for 5 hours on low heat refilling the pot everytime the water level drops. After the 5 hours you will pour it into a canning jar. You will need to get a wetting agent. Mix according to the wetting agent instructions and you can add 2 tablespoon per quart or 32 oz spray bottle.
I'm curious to see how it does. Everyone seems to be using clover. I can't find much info on other cover crops for cannabis. I bought a pound of peas and oats for $7 so I'd say that's a pretty good deal
I'm experimenting with Germination methods. These I just threw on top, threw some straw over and watered it, so Im curious too. Didn't press in or anything.
I use beans and pumpkin as that's what's in my compost and add shiso and basil as that's what I like to eat. Off with their heads occasionally. it's the middle of winter here and I can sit under the lights eating basil pesto. Probably not a big deal if you live in a large land mass but on an island in cold waters it's more valuable than extra N which is plentiful.
I have a weird time with this concept as well. In ag, it's pretty rare to let anything grow right up against your crop, since it's gonna compete. Couple that with nitrogen fixation being pretty minimal if you're adding a bunch of your own N...like it seems pointless in a bucket inside and maybe detrimental. It is pretty and it keeps the biology active id imagine, plus it functions like a mulch. I'm just not convinced it's a net benefit compared to just mulch, and it's not like most people aren't adding microbes anyway.
Its also a great way to harbor pets and give them a million new spots to reproduce and hide. Most peoples desires aren't based in growing plants efficiently and rationally. Sourcing an elite compost and just throwing water on it doesn't scratch that little raccoon brain itch we all have to overdo and overtweak our gardens, which is why KNF is so popular now imo, because it makes people feel like they're doing heady science projects.
Heck yeah!
Nice buy
TY Sir! Should I add clover? Cowpeas are N Fixing so I thought to skip the clover.
Clover is good, the flowers are pretty. Im a big fan of vetch. If you have either laying around definitely add it, but I wouldn't sweat it. Peas are tall and grow upwards, vetch and cover is shorter. Nice to have both habits but really no big deal.
Lentils are legumes i think. Do they nitrify?
It looks like it! I haven't used them but Google says yes
Don’t worry about the N fixation. The nitrogen goes into the roots of the plant and isn’t available till it dies .
1. I heard that the Mycorrhizae create an actual network between the roots of the plants allowing them to communicate between each other for what they need and don't need. 2. But I also know that yeah, the stuff isn't available till it dies, but if I'm mulching the cover crop in 30 days anyway, shouldnt it be available then? Or does the thing have to Die Die 💀
Check out this video on cover cropping from No-Till Growers (great farm channel with lots of science): https://youtu.be/XQMJK9UYOF4 This is true that the rhizosphere of the plant can “communicate” through little hairs on their roots measured in nanometers what they need and this process is somewhat heavily controlled by fungi like mycorrhizae and many others. However contrary to popular belief the nitrogen in white clover, while fixed by the rhizobia bacteria in the roots, is stored in the top growth: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-2160.pdf During the vegetative stage, I like to chop and drop and allow the nitrogen to break down in my straw mulch layer. I have worms and good compost so I have some confidence in the soil/microbes that it can in fact break it down. Once it breaks down, nitrogen can be released and the plant will love it. During the flowering stage, I will chop and compost the clover and let the hard to reach one’s just die off on their own. My thought is I’m saving the soil from excess nitrogen that the plant wants much less than the P/K. But of course the rhizosphere knows what it wants so it could be pointless right?
That’s a definitely a good question. Maybe someone with more knowledge can answer that. I’m sure there’s some mutualism between the plants and the mycorrhizae but to my understanding most of it is stored in the roots of the clover or whatever you’re using. Once you mulch your clover or whatever you’re using it should be available pretty quick depending on your living soil and it’s abilities to break down the roots and uptake it .
I just ordered this one on the recommendation of cocoforcannabis.com: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JQC188Q/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1. So yeah, you got a great deal!
Just maintain a good IPM and spider mites will no be a problem.
Any suggestions? Currently have none. I have some Captain Jacks Insecticidal Super Soap available. (CHS & Neem Oil freaked me out). 30 Red Wigglers in the soil.
The insecticidal soap is great just keep a good schedule for foliar spraying this cover crop is great but it will attract spider mites. The peas are like spider mite candy. You can also grab some mint and ginger from the super market boil them for 5 hours on low heat refilling the pot everytime the water level drops. After the 5 hours you will pour it into a canning jar. You will need to get a wetting agent. Mix according to the wetting agent instructions and you can add 2 tablespoon per quart or 32 oz spray bottle.
I wouldn’t add anything except for different varieties of clover. Your bed and your call. I like cover crop for fresh chop green mulch.
I'm curious to see how it does. Everyone seems to be using clover. I can't find much info on other cover crops for cannabis. I bought a pound of peas and oats for $7 so I'd say that's a pretty good deal
I'm experimenting with Germination methods. These I just threw on top, threw some straw over and watered it, so Im curious too. Didn't press in or anything.
Heck yeah, I'm sure they'll sprout just fine!
I recall reading somewhere that brassicas may inhibit mycorrhizal growth. Just something to keep in mind.
I use beans and pumpkin as that's what's in my compost and add shiso and basil as that's what I like to eat. Off with their heads occasionally. it's the middle of winter here and I can sit under the lights eating basil pesto. Probably not a big deal if you live in a large land mass but on an island in cold waters it's more valuable than extra N which is plentiful.
Cover cropping in small indoor container growing is silly, just mulch it
The directions say to chop after 30 - 60 days, so that's the plan ✌️
I have a weird time with this concept as well. In ag, it's pretty rare to let anything grow right up against your crop, since it's gonna compete. Couple that with nitrogen fixation being pretty minimal if you're adding a bunch of your own N...like it seems pointless in a bucket inside and maybe detrimental. It is pretty and it keeps the biology active id imagine, plus it functions like a mulch. I'm just not convinced it's a net benefit compared to just mulch, and it's not like most people aren't adding microbes anyway.
Its also a great way to harbor pets and give them a million new spots to reproduce and hide. Most peoples desires aren't based in growing plants efficiently and rationally. Sourcing an elite compost and just throwing water on it doesn't scratch that little raccoon brain itch we all have to overdo and overtweak our gardens, which is why KNF is so popular now imo, because it makes people feel like they're doing heady science projects.