Thread: Seaweed
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Old 25-10-2008, 03:40 AM posted to rec.gardens
paghat[_2_] paghat[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Nov 2007
Posts: 310
Default Seaweed

In article , Derek-G
wrote:

Does anyone have any knowledge of producing and using extract of
seaweed? I have half filled a large water butt with freshly collected
seaweed, & topped it up with water. I understand from snippets found
here & there, that I will have extract of seaweed in about 6 weeks,
which will have to be diluted at differing strengths depending on its
intended use. I believe it is valuable as a foliar feed, root feed, for
soil improvement and is especially good for seedlings & young plants.
O.K., that exhausts my knowledge of the subject - and I don't guarantee
any part of it to be absolutely correct, apart from the content of the
water butt! I am seeking the following information.

What will the dilution rates be for the various uses?
How often should it be used?
I assume the seaweed is exhausted during the extraction, but is 6 weeks
the correct time, & is there any use for the spent weed after that?

I have also put a 2 inch mulch of seaweed over the beds for the first
time, but any benefit from that will be readily apparent during the
season and its strength is not wildly variable & so should not burn
roots or foliage.
In past years I have included small quantities in the compost heap, but
I've no experience of extraction.
If this site had an icon of Stan Laurel scratching his hairline it
would be most appropriate & I'd use it!

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Derek-G


Seaweed is widely regarded as the vegan equivalent of fish fertilizer, but
without the same degree of stench as one gets spraying fish fertilizer all
over everthing. However, collecting ones own seaweed to personally make
the fertilizer could well result in a salty solution harmful to plants.

-paghat the ratgirl
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