Biodynamic Preparations
501 compound – SilicaMax
Etherics – Seaweed, Uses
Specialist Sprays
Peppering
Application Rates
Effluent Treatment
BdMax Sprays:
Increase Earthworm and Bacterial activity.Supercharge your liquid manure program. Make better use of fertilising materials Have no storage, stirring, application or supply hassles
BDMax Sprays are Activated and ready to use. Created using traditional homeopathic methods, accepted for use in NZ for Bio-Gro and Demeter
One Spray Biodynamics
Etherics 1000
Etherics 1000 is all the Biodynamic preparations in one spray. Homoeopathically activated it means no stirring and so spraying problems. It also keeps for several years. This product has shown over 7 years of commercial application that it provides the same soil stimulation and plant health benefits as the traditional BD preparations, without the fuss. It is used just like the traditional preps. Spray plants and soil, put into liquid manners and spray over compost heaps. This is Biodynamics for the 21st century.
Preparations 500 -507 are all included in this one spray to provide a safe balanced invigorating spray for plants and soil. The Biodynamic preparations are made from the garden herbs, Valerian, Stinging nettle, Chamomile, Yarrow, Dandelion, Oak along with Cow manure and Silica. and have been shown to speed up soil development & composting while strengthen the plants natural pest & disease resistance
501 Compound – SilicaMax
501-Horn Silica is traditionally used to harden and strengthen plants. This aids in fungal control, nutrition enhancement, ripening, keeping quality and drought resistance. This is a very useful spray, however by itself it can cause fruit size reduction and burning when the weather is very dry.
Etherics – Seaweed
Etherics Seaweed provides and easy all in one biodynamic spray.
This mixture promotes a balanced health in your plants while leaning towards the leafy side of plant growth. Some 501 Comp. maybe needed at times to promote head and flower formation.
Contents: Biogro Seaweed & Fish, Etherics 1000 (Etherics 1000 at the rate of 250mls \ ha.)
Etherics – Seaweed – USES
Spray over the plants and soil
As a general tonic Etherics Seaweed can be sprayed every couple of weeks. Use the dilution rates below. Wet plant leaves and the soil but not to “dripping” . BDMax 501 Comp. maybe required to bring leaf crops to head.
Compost heaps
As the heap is built spray over the layers, with a capful to 2 litres of water, till dripping For large heaps use 100mls per cubic metre
Liquid manures
Use Etherics 1000 as directed
Compost buckets
After emptying the compost bucket, add one capful to the bucket. Wash it around with one or two litres of water. Pour this over where the scraps have been buried or composted. If you wish put another capful of Etherics Seaweed in the bucket and begin refilling. Smells should disappear and animals should leave your scraps alone.
Pest control
Often just spraying Etherics Seaweed provides a high level of pest control, especially against slugs, snails cabbage butterfly grubs. If more control is needed BDMax Pest Protection provides more. The pests may still be in your garden but strangely little damage occurs.
Specialist Sprays
Pest Protection
Has proven results for Slugs, Snails and many Grubs. Excellent control for most pests on Lettuce & Brassica. Many other crops are protected as well.
A light spray over seedlings a few days before transplanting is often enough to protect them from snails when first planted. Do not be surprised if the old leaves there before you sprayed are eaten by the snails, leaving the new ones to grow.
Flowering Spray – BloomMax
Vegetables and herbaceous perennials are usually strongly influenced by this spray. Spray just before and fortnightly during flowering. This can be used in dull low light seasons to promote a healthy ‘normal’ flowering. Crop yields can increase as a result.
Warmth Spray – ThermoMax
Warmth Spray is applied first thing in the spring usually in August and September.
It promotes early growth and has been seen to extend the season by four weeks or so. Prolonged use can promote plants into seeding. Using it in winter on lettuce etc. has also been seen to encourage their growth.
Ripening Spray – Etherics 9
Used where an extra burst of ripening is needed in the Autumn or in dull seasons.
This spray can be applied every few days if need be to speed up ripening, and nutritive quality in vegetables fruits and herbs
Fungal Spray – FG4
We have one spray to address most fungal issues arising from the soil imbalances indicated by Dr Steiner.
SilicaMax is our first line of defence against rots. SilicaMax needs to be used on a three to one ratio with Etherics 1000, Etherics Seaweed and Pest Protection.
Use FG4 , four times or so throughout the growing season, and results get better as the seasons go on.
Rooting Compound – ZeroIn
Promotes root growth – reduces fruit splitting
Over many years ZeroIn has shown it promotes an burst of root growth. At transplanting, seedlings can be sprayed a few days before. The compound can also be added to the watering in water. A spray after transplanting is also O.K. Plants settle in quicker and nursery growers and their clients have reported significant improvements in subsequent growth in trees. This is useful for transplanting in summer and early autumn.
For cuttings soak the cuttings ends for 24 hours prior to planting out. Add to the watering during the rooting phase.
Fruit Splitting
We have found a significant degree of reduced fruit splitting can be achieved, by relieving the upward pressure of water after rain, when the plant is focusing upon root production instead.
Effluent Treatment – Etherics 7
Over recent years we have devloped a focused ‘digester’, which reduces smell and increases the breakdown of solids into the water suspension.
1-5 litres in the effluent pond is usually enough to achieve the desired results.
Peppering
What is Peppering?
`Peppering’ is a method of pest control suggested by the founder of the Biodynamic agricultural movement, Rudolf Steiner back in 1924. Since that time it has been used successfully in many different circumstances. We have experienced its value in controlling everything from weeds to insects to possums, rabbits and rats. Essentially the insect is gathered and burnt to an ash, which is then spread over the land you wish to protect. Over the years this basic recipe has been developed and now the ash is processed into a liquid form, which can be easily sprayed over orchards by incorporating it into existing spraying rounds.
The aim of `peppering’ is to inhibit the reproductive potential of any plant, insect or animal, one applies the method too. Steiner suggested that this method may take up to four years to become fully effective, however our experience has shown that effective results can be experienced within a matter of days.
With the passion vine hopper, Jane Cooks orchard has reported she used the pepper for the first time 3 seasons ago. The first season her infestation level was very small, while last year it is still of no great concern. Several (20+) other growers have reported good levels of control after starting to use it last season. Several growers are reporting having unsprayed shelter belts, black with hoppers and sooty mould, while meters away their sprayed vines are clean.
Several orchards are also using `Etherics 1000′ and 501 Comp. and have reported a quicker more powerful effect from the peppers .
OPTION 1 – Generic PVH control The generic PVH control is a spray made up from `peppers’ from several properties. It is the lowest cost option and has shown a significant influence on many properties.
OPTION 2 – Your orchard PVH control .
A pepper made from your own orchard is specifically focused to your environment and has a greater possibility of working for your situation. You supply the insects and we supply you with spray.
A dustbuster vacuum cleaner seems to be the best way of collecting the insects.
OPTION 3 – PVH control + BDMax Spray Program
Either option 1 or 2 can be included with the BDMax kiwifruit Spray program. This program includes sprays of Etherics 1000 and 501 Compound. Etherics 1000 helps with soil development, plant health and general orchard balance. 501 compound is used for fungal control, especially around flowering. It also `hardens’ of the plant growth and enhances fruit quality leading to improvements during storage.
OPTION 4 -PVH control, BDMax Program and Soil Management
The basis of a truly health and sustainable property begins with a good mineral balance in the soil, accompanied with good organic matter management and plant monitoring. BDMax Consulting can provide a complete management plan for your soil and crop management. This includes soil recommendations, spray program with liquid manures as required and foliar testing through the season. This program fits in with your normal pest monitoring and BT & oils programs .
OTHER PESTS
WEEDS
Most plants are able to be `peppered’. Peppering stops the new seeds germinating, so annuals are the easiest. Perennials will need to have the parent plant removed by some other method, either physical or chemical. Root dividing plants are most difficult
INSECTS
In most cases it is the adult insect required for the process. The burning however does need to occur at specific times. If you can supply us with the pest we can finish it off at the right time.
BIRDS
Birds too can be used and sprayed over a orchard or vineyard. One or two specimens are all we need for this. Preferably females if possible.
MAMMALS
All mammals can be treated. We only need the skin of the mammals, so please skin it before sending it to us. One skin is often enough and preferably female.
In most cases the remedy can be returned within the week. The earlier in the season the better. Do not wait until you have a problem. Prevention is better than cure.
The sooner spraying begins the better the control
Application Rates
All BDMax Biodynamic Sprays
| Commercial | 250mls per hectare |
| 100mls/acre | |
| Home Garden | 2 mls / 500mls of water |
Etherics Seaweed
5mls \ 10sqmt monthly
5lts \ ha monthly
10lts \ ha x 3 annually
15lts \ ha x 1 annually
Organic registered liquid fertilisers
Biogro Seaweed – any quantity
BioGro fish – any quantity