Biological Indigenous Microorganisms

[pippimac]

Is anyone using/experimenting with these BIM brews?
I make compost teas, but this stuff takes things to a whole new level!
Please share your experiences.
Here's an intro...
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/200441/hamilton

[trimnut2]

pippimac I am interested in this. I can see little that is wrong with the methodology.
I would just like a little more detail. Volumes/amounts/timing/ possibly incubation temperatures?

Perhaps using BIM solutions as a natural adjunct to feeding Biochars prior to distribution sounds a sweet combination.

Do you have any more insights/information?

[pippimac]

Hi trimnut2
I can't find a lot of info on this, but here's something a bit more specific.
I'm tragically computer illiterate, so hopefully thiss addy works!
http://lists.ifas.ufl.edu/cgi-bin/wa.ex ... ion/msword
There's definately discussion on the use of biochar (yet another thing I need to learn more about) in conjunction with BIMs, homemade bokashi and anything else you care to ferment... Lacto bacilli makes things like that barrel of fishheads smell like... not much apparently!
I live in town; the stinky factor is something I have to keep in mind.

[Michaelangelica]

Is anyone using/experimenting with these BIM brews?
I make compost teas, but this stuff takes things to a whole new level!
Please share your experiences.
Here's an intro...
http://www.rodaleinstitute.org/200441/hamilton

I think this is avery important question that has been sadly neglected in research by our agricultural scientists

People are just discoving that it is the "wee beasties" in the soil that give you most soil fertility gains not fertilisers that tend to run off and pollute rivers and streams and groundwater.
Biochar has been shown to help ( in quantities as low as 100g per sq. metre per year :!: )

I live on the outskirts of Sydney. The local council here tries to preserve native vegetation by asking developers to collect native seed and then replant with this when the housing/factory development is complete. A nice idea-- but with the NSW Government Planning Department intent on packing as many people into as small a place as possible-- doomed to failure. (IMHO this policy will lead to more crime and social problems --see the social- psychology research on overcrowding rats-- With the internet you would think we don't need cities any more ?)
No one is taking samples of soil micro-organisms to see what 'zoology' we might be loosing
(EG the Japanese just found a 'wee beastie' that makes phosphorus available to plants in the volcanic soils around Mt Fuji)

I have been experimenting with sugar. In fact, I just put a kilo of raw sugar (nothing but the best!) on my sad sweet-peas.
Now any milk that 'goes off' goes to the garden.

It is very difficult to grow and study soil micro-organisms as by definition they grow in the soil :!: ! Often in very complex and, as yet, unknown relationships with plants and other "wee beasties" . Trying to grow them in a lab petrel dish is almost impossible. They -Cornell Uni USA mostly- have been trying to see if there is any special microbiology with Brazillian Terra preta soils for many years.
http://transectpoints.blogspot.com/2007 ... terra.html

You might like to have a look at this site, which has lots of links and summaries of articles on soil microbiology and
ordinary people experimenting and asking questions.
http://hypography.com/forums/terra-pret ... preta.html
and
Biochar Soak with Mycology in mind
http://hypography.com/forums/terra-pret ... -mind.html
and
Tips for jumpstarting "wee beasties" in terra preta?
http://hypography.com/forums/terra-pret ... -preta.htm
and
Wood Vinegar(Used a lot in Japan and Asia --but not here?)
http://hypography.com/forums/terra-pret ... negar.html

Also Australia Story (ABC (Oz) TV) had a show a couple of weeks ago about a CSIRO scientist who was fired for "wasting his time" looking at & researching this very issue. :evil:
SEE
Australian Story

[trimnut2]

pippimac Thanks for that link. I have read in detail.
Certainly enough information there to use in a constructive start.
Managing soils well is a complex task. Getting a possible handle on Soil Microbial activity will be a real boost. Thanks lots.
It is cold here a present so I will have to wait till spring. I shall get the systems thought through.

Michaelangelica: Thanks. Some of the ideas developed in the link suggested by pippimac make great use of sugar and old milk.