SSKNF - LIVE SOIL MICROBES @ HOME

Hi Growmies~! What This Post is About Today, I'll be recording how to cultivate soil microbes at home. These microbes offer numerous benefits, and they are simple to make. How I Came Up with This Technique Since 2014, I’ve tried synthetic growing methods like DWC. While they gave quick results, I often ran into issues with consistency. Nutrients would expire during breaks, meaning I had to keep buying new bottles. I strongly felt I needed a change. A couple of years ago, after taking a break, I started to research and switched to organic growing. At first, it felt overwhelming with all the steps and prep work, but I saw real potential. After experimenting with different methods, I came across Korean Natural Farming (KNF) and JADAM, introduced by Mr. Cho. His simple, ultra low-cost techniques inspired me. They focus on letting nature do the work. While growing, I noticed that synthetic nutrient bottles were expensive, especially when trying to complete a full nutrient set. Organic growing may require more attention and can be costly when investing in organic materials. Preparing the soil in advance and top dressing with dry nutrients every other week - just these two methods were consuming space, time, and money. Indoor farming is unnatural, while organic farming is a natural approach. I had to bring these ideas together, but organic farming often seems geared toward large plots like farms. Incorporating organic techniques into my indoor garden requires a lot of effort and careful calculations. So this is one of my techniques for keeping my plants happy: supporting their daily needs helps them snap out of deficiencies quickly, allowing them to grow consistently. It took me a while to adapt this technique for indoor use. I hope this helps, guys! Supplies Needed - Potatoes: Provide nutrients and food for the microbes. - Sea Salt: Stimulates microbial activity and controls harmful organisms. - Dechlorinated Water: Allows the microbes to grow and multiply. - Compost, leaf mold, or worm castings: Contains natural microorganisms that are key for this process. How to Make (1 gallon) 1 cooked potato (about 2 golf ball-sized) 1 pinch of sea salt 2 tablespoons compost or worm castings 1 gallon dechlorinated water 1. Mix Ingredients: In a clean container, fill it with the dechlorinated water, dissolve the sea salt, and add the compost along with the mashed potato. 2. Ferment: Optionally cover the container and let it sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours. 3. Strain (Optional): After fermentation, you can strain the solution if you prefer a clearer liquid. Note: Watch the timelapse video to see how the microbes activate! **WARNING** Wear gloves if possible and/or avoid contact with open wounds How to Use IMPORTANT: Always dilute the solution before applying it to plants. - Use when bubbles form a "pizza shape" on the surface. - Dilute 5-10 ml per liter of water for bi-weekly feeding. (Test a small batch first to find the best rate for your setup.) - Once the bubbles disappear, the microbes are likely inactive. You can either mix the rest with water as fertilizer or discard it. Pros Promotes Plant Growth - Usually fixes deficiencies in as little as 6 to 72 hours. - Improves nutrient absorption, and helps plants thrive. Boosts Plant Immunity - Works as IPM: Can be used as foliar sprays (no staining on leaves). - Lowers the risk of powdery mildew and other diseases. - Helps the soil ecosystem with beneficial organisms like predatory mites and springtails. - Naturally reduces pest pressure (Less risk of fungus gnats and other pests). Improves Soil Health & Supports Composting - Quickly breaks down organic matter and nutrients. - Makes growing organically in small containers, like 1-gallon pots, easy. - Over time, soil becomes softer and richer, even in small pots. Cost-Effective, Sustainable & Eco-Friendly - No need for complex equipment like pH pens, air pumps, or other tools. - Reduces the need for CalMag, N-P-K, or micronutrient supplements (just add a little bit of sea salt to every watering). - No sugar sources needed in the soil. - Works for all types of plants—houseplants, exotics, ornamentals, and crops. Cons - Limited shelf life; the solution will develop an unpleasant odor after a certain period. 1 Corinthians 10:26