URLs, etc
At 09:01 AM 7/23/2003 -0700, you wrote: PS Have u checked out www.union.org ? what is that all about ?? Sorry, it eludes me. Can someone else help? -Allan I noticed something similar when Michael Fields let their domain registration lapse. Someone else can then grab the URL registration. There are folks who will grab any working URL, transfer it over to another website, then get paid based on the hits. Of course, folks log in expecting the old website so they get an instant number of hits, hence instant money. Instant money, that's always the problem. Along those lines, the earlier discussion of matter w/o spirit reminds of a quote by Gandhi Gandhi's Seven Deadly Sins · Wealth without Work · Pleasure without Conscience · Science without Humanity · Knowledge without Character · Politics without Principle · Commerce without Morality · Worship without Sacrifice http://deadlysins.com/features/gandhi.htm As to the controversy regarding purges, I support Allan. The list deteriorates if some folks can't keep their discussions polite. That means an occasional action by the authority figure. Sorry we can't all behave as adults, but's that how it is sometimes. David Robison ___ BDNow mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] You can unsubscribe or change your options at: http://lists.envirolink.org/mailman/listinfo/bdnow
OT: World of Weeds
Off topic: David Quammen is one of my favorite nature writers. I was glad to see this article posted, on the dismal topic of how we are destroying the natural world. http://www.well.com/user/davidu/weeds.html David Robison
On topic: physical and etheric bodies of plants15
At 12:00 PM 3/9/2003 -0500, Christy wrote: So a really basic question (s) - The etheric body of a plant is its own, along with the physical body, but it has no astral body (otherwise it would have mobility and what else? Organs. Little bits of the outside captured inside the physical body. Like when the developing embryo forms an invagitation, then rolls in a bit of the outside skin. That first capture becomes the neural tube, the beginnings of the nervous system. From that grows all the sensory organs and brain -- that which has the ability to reflect the outer world because it starts by capturing a bit of it. The organs develop as astral centers, internalizing some of the outside -- while for plants, all that astral stuff stays outside. Then because the animal has it's own astral centers, it can be mobile. So, the astral body that hovers around it does that belong to the plant? Yes, tho I think it is more of a group astral. It reaches into the plant for flowering/ fruiting processes but the plant is always reaching for it. Think of those hollow center diagrams where the plants reaches toward the focal point but never gets there. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
Re: BDNOW digest 1403
At 12:00 PM 2/25/2003 -0500, flylo wrote: Subject: Mildred Cowger I was looking thru SSE yearbook at tomatoes and ran across Mildred Cowger's Belgium and mentions she was a Master Biodynamic Gardener. running Google, I can find some Belgium Cherry tomatoes developed by the late M Cowger, as well as a 1996 column in the JPI magazine Mildred Cowger: A Life Of Service (B. Weiting, H. Eubanks, W. Via) I don't know if it's a book review or a column about her. Any more information about her or her work? Yes, that's Mildred. She was a feisty Quaker lady who was one of the founders of the Oregon BD group. Mildred learned BD from the Phil and Evelyn Greg, who lived in Oregon at the time. After they left, Mildred continued with what she had learned and taught the rest of us. Beth's article is her memorial. The tomato is a variety she selected and grew for years. It's available from Turtle Tree or SSE. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
OT: DU munitions
Is the server down? I haven't received any emails from you lately. Off topic: here is a link on depleted uranium from Yes! magazine http://www.futurenet.org/25environmentandhealth/rokke.htm David Robison
Erbe preps
At 12:02 PM 2/13/2003 -0500, SStorch wrote: This fall we will make every effort to make the Hugo Erbe clay preparation. Can you tell us more? What about his other preps? We are still waiting for the book to come on Erbe. David Robison
mushroom compost
At 12:04 PM 2/12/2003 -0500, flylo wrote: We have a mushroom plant nearby that practically gives away it's spent mushroom compost to gardeners I had a paper on mushroom compost from the Vancouver, BC group, can look for it there's interest. The gist was that it's dead humus, having been subjected to a monoculture process, it needs exposure to sun/air/preps to become enlivened again. Best use is a surface mulch, if you can pile it up with preps for a month or two before use even better. My experience is that is high-cellulose, low-lignin so it disappears in a year without leaving much humus. I've not heard of arsenic but, unless they are organic, they often apply lots of systemic insecticide against mushroom fly and fungus gnats. I would be wary. David Robison
BD
At 12:04 PM 2/12/2003 -0500, roger wrote: When I first talked about BD with a good friend of mine, he looked at me with the now-familiar 'steer caught in the headlights' look, laughed and said You can't be serious, falling for something like that. Cow shit buried in a cow horn after dancing backwards round a campfire in the light of the silvery moon with a feather up your backside! It's funny how folks react to perceived superstitious nonsense. Truly, BD is a fantastic claim. However, the alternative conceptual model behind Steiner contains a consistent and logical philosophy if you dig into it. The amazing part is the statement that we can manipulate material stuff is a way that manages subtle energies, which then in turn influence the material world. That would be superstition if there were not experimental evidence that it works. David Robison
Oregon BD
Theres another new posting for more advanced practioners --- Planetary Processes in the Preparations based on Lievegoed from www.oregonbd.org select the Community Page, then the article David Robison
Intro class
It's an option off http://oregonbd.org/class Be careful when you download it. I suggest you use Microsoft Internet Explorer even if normally you use another browser (such as Netscape, like I do) because MIE will keep the images in their right places after you save the files, and there are a lot of images. Actually, we added a download button a the end of each chapter that will give you a .doc file. It's a real hassle to try and download the html pages with interspersed graphics. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
tree paste
At 12:00 PM 2/7/2003 -0500, Allan wrote: Someone remind me: where does 'water glass,' or whatever it was, fit into this recipe? (Instead of sand?? instead of equisetum) AND, is 'water glass' a liquid? Sodium silicate Na2SiO3. It's a reasonably soluble silicon compound, available as aqueous solution from chemical supply places. David Robison
books
At 12:00 PM 2/7/2003 -0500, roger wrote: 'Introduction to Biodynamics', Class of 2001. In my opinion this is the finest and easiest to read and understand book about BD in existence today. That it has not been published is a real shame because it means it's only available to people with an internet connection. Thanks. OTOH, this way it's free, it can be (and is) updated all the time and I don't have the burden of tying up capital in boxes of unsold books. For those without a connection, I hope they can find a public library, a friend or some other way to get connected. The idea was to put down all the stuff I wish someone had told me. I too am deeply disappointed by the reluctance of the traditional names to explain their knowledge. I have been re-reading some of their old articles -- I know they have that level of understanding. But why is the explanation not publicly shared anywhere? If anyone has gone thru a formal training program like Emerson College, I would be curious to know if they feel like they got the explanation. I think the expectation is that it takes several years to get it all across. Consequently, the names don't feel they can teach enough in just an article or two. It also seems to me that there is a bias against internet technology. I agree it would be better to communicate face-to-face but here is a tool that permits dispersed, rural populations to share in a process; it seems crazy not to take advantage of it. O well. David Robison
Subject: Peace Seeds
Does anyone know if Alan Kapuler is still running Peace Seeds, and if he or the company has email or a web address? I think you want http://www.abundantlifeseed.org/index.htm Note they have some BD seeds! David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
OT: biodiesel
I guess biodiesel is off topic. For those interested, there is a pretty active list group at Alternative Energy List [EMAIL PROTECTED] also check http://www.homepower.com/ The oil isn't burned directly as fuel, but goes thru a process of esterification that involves treatment with harsh chemicals. So don't expect anything subtle to survive. Also don't expect the subtle energy to show up as physical energy. Emtergy or net energy analysis is part of the question. If it takes more energy to produce than you get from combustion, the fuel isn't worth it. Conventional ag is a good example -- the amount of fossil fuel invested isn't matched by the output. OTOH, natural farming can be very beneficial. Plants are a low-tech solar collector, the question becomes what energy does it take to gather, transport, process the biomass. Nebraska's Small Farm Energy Project (including BD farmer Bob Steffen, grower of the super-good oats) did some great work in that area. David Robison
compost tea
At 12:04 PM 2/4/2003 -0500, Merla wrote: This is my year for my own BC 500 AND for 24 hr aerobic compost tea. Exactly in what proportion do you combine them? Allan's post answered your questions very well. Compost tea has been used by BD farmers for a long time and no one bothered to get all technical about feeding the culture. Allan's explanation was very good; we just don't yet know if brewed compost tea is needed. Thanks, Allan, for articulating the issue. Also a post from Ms. Berkley, possibly on the regulation committee on the NOSB standards in the Compost Tea list/serve files states that CT is considered raw manure. I thought that was not being enforced this year. Am I asking this on the wrong list/serve or can someone answer? I don't want to have my OG certification denied. I'm not current in this area, I thought the decision was that if the compost was acceptable (ie. met all the requirements for number of turnings, temperature etc) then you could apply it as you wish. There may be some requirement for a minimum time period between application and harvest. More to the point, why bother with getting certified? I believe small growers are exempted from the certification requirement. What do other folks do? David Robison
radioactives
At 12:03 PM 2/3/2003 -0500, Jane wrote: I just found out tonight when our smoke alarm kept beeping after changing the battery then taking it down from the ceiling, that it contains a small part with the old radioactive symbol on it and warnings about it containing radioactive material, which if needing repair should be sent to the company. Yep. Very small amounts of americium, a radioactive isotope that emits alpha particles. Alpha particles are large and get absorbed by anything they bump into, so they don't radiate very far. They last just long enough to knock some electrons off any air borne particles, hence ionizing the particles. The detector is actually detecting the increased ionization and interpreting that as smoke. The photoelectric kind look for increased turbidity or scattering in the air as evidence of smoke. The ionization ones are cheap to produce and have been widely used as a result of fire/safety codes. Ironic case of one good idea resulting in unanticipated consequences. How is it possible that such things can be manufactured for use in the home? Cause the govt has decreed that they are safe, ie) minimal risk. Just as they have selected nuclear irradiated meat for our school lunch program. Does anyone know anything about these things? Are our landfills, incinerators backyards full of these things decaying and leaking radioactivity along with all the other pollutants? yep. But along with psuedo-endocrine plasticizers, halogenated hydrocarbons, mercury, etc in the landfill, who would notice? Alan says Now we are hearing that many of the shells dropped in yugoslovia and Afghanistan were radioacitve, made of old plutonoium as others pointed out, it's actually old uranium. Plutonium is fissile, so the govt doesn't let go of it, it's too useful for weapons of mass destruction (we'll keep ours). Uranium has several isotopes, only one if directly fissile. So the govt separates the one and are left with a big pile of the other isotopes. What to do with the big pile? Some can be irradiated into plutonium, but there's much more left over. A metal twice as heavy as lead -- hey, this would make great bullets. So the military developed depleted U munitions. Great for armor piercing. Of course, the isotopes of uranium are still radioactive, just less so than the fissile one. And these bullets get vaporized when they hit and the radioactive vapor causes cancer in the lung. But, hey, that's somebody else's problem. David Robison
preps
Roger, thanks for bringing up an interesting thread. At 12:02 PM 1/31/2003 -0500, Roger wrote: 1. Did Steiner really intend BD502-507 to be used solely in compost manufacture? That's how he introduced it in the lectures, Pfieffer and others used it for seed baths etc. 2. Did he identify equisetum as BD508 or was it someone else? I dont think he gave the numbers 3. Is there a 'missing' BD509? If so, what might it and its purpose be? not from RS, some give horn clay that number Someone told me once, or I have read it and forgotten where, that the preps are not numbered sequentially but that 502-508 actually fall between 500 and 501. That is, the 'sequence' could be 500, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 501. sort of, in that 500 is the earthly pole, 501 the cosmic pole and the preps arranged in between, tho not in that numeric order. SStorch response is very good. also see the table in chapter 4 of the intro class at www.oregonbd.org and Glen's material at http://rimu.orcon.net.nz/garuda/books/index.html Note that RS introduced the preps as polar pairs, eg) 502 and 503 are the first discussed and stand at opposite ends of the polarity, they are not necessary closer to 500 just because they have a smaller numbers and sequential order. The plant growth cycle is divisible into nine stages - mature seed, cotyledons, buds, leaves, calyx, petals, pistils, fruit, immature seed. There are at least twelve major building blocks of life - eg calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulphur, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, phosphorus, silicon, sodium, chlorine, manganese. There are also trace elements and other minerals that life needs - eg copper, mercury, iron, silver, tin, zinc, lead, aluminium. others, such as Haushe(sp?), have tied elements to the 12-fold zodiac, but it's not the same thing Now if we look at the preps we find that some of these are represented and the plant stages fit conveniently as well. 500 - horn manure - calcium - (balances soil, encourages microbial life) 502 - yarrow - sulphur - copper - (seed) 503 - chamomile - oxygen - mercury - (cotyledons) 504 - nettle - nitrogen - iron - (bud) 505 - oak bark - carbon - silver - (leaves) 506 - dandelion - hydrogen - tin - (calyx) 507 - valerian - phosphorus - lead - (petals) 508 - equisetum - silica - (pistils, stamen) (509) - ?? - ?? - (fruit) 501 - horn silica - light energy - (seed) No, this is your interpretation. The plant stages and operations are quite different. A good reference is Livegood's plantetary influences on the preps, the primary source for the table listed in Chapter 4 of the intro class. I should post a summary. I do have a draft article covering Konig on the animal sheaths that will be posted soon (it's being reviewed now) Also note that RS did NOT include equisituem as a compost prep. He listed it as a remedy for fungus type disease, as he said to push back the etheric from the outside when etheric was too diffuse. BTW, oak bark is described as doing something similar but as pulling back the etheric to the center. Livegood and Konig both discuss the prep in the compost pile as providing the same sort of cosmic focal points that animals do with their organs Given the exactitude of scientists it seems unlikely that Steiner numbered his preparations in the order they 'came off the shelf' I think thats just what he did Let us now enter the realm of fantasy. Let us suppose Steiner had a device which enabled him to measure the amount of 'standing' energy held in things and that at some time pre-superphosphate era he had measured the soil and come up with an amount I shall call X enertrons. this is pure speculation Peter says Perhaps the two preparations matured in cows horns relate to the winter Sun and its digestive activity and the summer Sun and its ripening capacity. Perhaps these two were given as a duality. Quite so Steve says I have been adding the 500 and 501 for over a year and like the results. The 508 adds great fungal activity to the compost. Cool! Neat to see folks developing their own approach. No doubt there's more than one way. I'm not clear on the equisitum, I would think it needs to be on the outer skin. Allan, the same site lists one of Will Brinton's reports on results of compost tea on grapes. I would think that Allan York would know of it. Perhaps he meant the results for aerated tea weren't in yet. As I recollect, Will's directions for the tea were to put compost in a bucket of water, place by the barn door and stir each time the farmer walked by. So it's aerobic but not aerated. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
BD Now! Audio Files
I haven't noticed a lot of interest in the audio files that are posted at www.ibiblio.org/biodynamics Case in point: I made a call for other people's tapes and have received to replies. Let me know, ok? We'll count lurkers in this poll also. Allan, a couple of points. 1) I'm surprised that you are tying up your own computer. I guess that's setting up Real files. It doesn't tie up to do the streaming does it? If so. then maybe you can find a non-profit server to host? It seems like a lot to ask of you. 2) Thanks for providing this valuable service. I'm really glad the resource is available. And having said that -- I haven't used it myself. I listened to a bit of some tapes but didn't want to take the time to listen to the whole thing. I work at my computer but somehow don't find it conducive to listen to, even for music. And audio lectures are a demanding media, you can't just let it pass by like video or jump forward/backward like text, you have to be involved to actually listen. So even tho I think this is a great resource, I'm not likely to be using it much. When I go into research mode and find a relevant tape, I would want to listen once and take some notes. That would be about it. I would probably not listen again tho I might reference the source material. BTW, I have it in mind to tape some future events, just don't have any ready at the moment. 3) On the lurker thing -- I'm not sure I get it. I don't always post on every subject and there are many times I wish others were as judicial. We get a lot of unneeded shlock on this list, in addition to comments that I highly value. That's freedom of expression, can't have one w/o the other. Overall, this is a great group, what's the problem? David Robison
Copper sulfate
Steve-- What are you trying to do? What is the desired influence? What is your source? Copper sulfate is a potent algaecide and I assume would have injurious effects on other microbes. Obviously it affects fungi, presumably even the beneficial ones. I'm not keen about using it as a spray -- I use a minimal bit on peaches because otherwise peach leaf curl is fatal in our climate. But I'm always leery and wonder what I might be doing to the soil. I guess it's considered organic on the theory that it occurs in nature, but that's not a good argument to me. I can think of other toxics that occur in nature. Cu is an antagonist to Zn and prevents biological absorption when present as a trace mineral. Of course, Cu and Zn metals are not the same as the ion salts so the action of metal filings may be different. hey, an unrequieted answer, going through old mails... Get some copper dust and zinc dust, the metal filings, place on a large log, end grain, and beat with a hammer, early morning is best. Place filings in your stirring barrel when stiring bc, 500, 501 or 508, this will bring in the desired influence in the proper way...sstorch David Robison
Science article on BD
For those interested in objective science reporting see http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5573/1694?ijkey=Fh/EYrZtSiFKckeytype=refsiteid=sci European researchers examined several ag systems including BD. Organic and BD are pretty similar in yield, lower than conventional ag, but with less inputs so that profits are comparable. What is interesting is the pronounced difference between BD and organic regarding soil microbiota. Both have better organic structure due to use of compost but BD shows some dramatic differences in the bio-activity level of the soil. The lower yields are a disappointment -- one could wish they had tested for food quality rather than just quantity. I also wonder if the BD practices could have been improved, given that they report Phytophtora blight on the organic and BD potatoes contributed to lower yield. In contrast, grain yield was 90% of conventional David Robison
nettles, trees ,etc
A lot of good questions! flylo wrote: Nettles! I was lamenting my nettles a few years ago, and now I'm not sure, but I think I should be happy to see them appear. I saw a photo on the www.oregonbd.org site of a wheelbarrow full of nettles being turned with a shovel before sending off to the compost bins. Can I just pluck all my nettles and toss them into the compost or should they be aerated, treated with something or other, or what? Nettles are a wonderful ,powerful herb. Just by growing they provide a balance to the surrounding area, increasing the outer planet, higher type formative forces. Traditionally, they are related to Mars and a balance for iron in the soil. They are a potable green in the early spring, medicinal herb or tea plant, as others pointed out. They are a great addition to the compost pile, used fresh as a source of N. The pile doesn't need any treatment other than the normal, ie) aeration, Pfieffer starter, BD preps or whatever you normally do with your pile. The pictures mentioned show using a lot of chopped nettles in making the BC prep. Thanks to Woody for the great answer on tree practices. Merla raises the question we always get, if organic gardening is good enough, why mess with all this other BD stuff?. Indeed, I think the way organic gardening is practiced these days meets a good 75% of what RS was trying to advocate. But it doesn't get to the whole thing, as Woody explains. Organic practices such a dormant spray aren't necessarily wrong, (tho a strong fungicide like lime sulfur is not organic and can be damaging to microbials.) Tree paste/spray is more trouble to make up and apply but feeds in a way harsh chemicals do not. There is also a question of do you need these sprays? Tent caterpillars can be controlled with manual pruning, mites etc with natural predators/ ecodiversity, fungus with CT. It depends on the tree varieties and many other factors. But the bottom line is that, as BD practioners, we do believe that we are doing something more than merely growing with organic practices. David Robison
What is Willard Water?
The e-group has posted a book describing Willard water. It's mostly anecdotal information of folks' experiences. Reports of good results to heal burns, restore animal health,etc. What makes me think of 501 is one story of inducing premature fruiting in corn plants. They can't say exactly what it is, a form of re-structured water best used in 1:1000 dilution rate. Influence of silicates and polycylic compounds from lignite (fossil humus). I have no experience myself one way or another. If anyone is interested I can send the book as an e-file. Also an unrelated paper by Coates that shows Schauberger's design for vortex pipes. Or you can join the group yourself at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Mr_Tracys_Corner/ Barry, who participates on this group, discusses magnetic devices to restructure water at http://www.subtleenergies.com/ David Robison
What is Willard Water?
Good question. I've been following various discussions on the subject on an alternate health e-group. It is a proprietary catalyst type water, derived by a geologist originally. Seems to have silicate in it, perhaps in a potenized form like 501. See http://www.dr-willardswater.com/whatis.html A gallon would go a long way since you add just a small amount to regular water to use. A number of on-line alternative herb/ag stores carry it. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
video/discussion
At 12:05 PM 11/15/2002 -0500, Allen wrote: What we want, Dave, is to get many, many people interested in biodynamically grown food because of it's quality and it's superior taste and the restorative nature of this sort of agriculture. What we want to do is alert people to HOW LITTLE federal organic standards are actually providing them, if theyk, lie we, believe that food is your best medicine and your truest connection to the universe. I get it. Yes yes yes. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
Video/Discussion
At 12:03 PM 11/13/2002 -0500, Allen wrote: It would be great if others have similar programs and we could get some synergy going with our materials. Also, as I'm sure most already know, there is a market for web-based education in this country and around the world. If we had a short web-based educational program, Just a sec. We already did that. The oregonbd.org site has our six week intro course posted in its entirety -- and it's free. I tried to include summaries of the various points of view, it's based on experiences from a human-interface class, we are slowing adding second-level material. Comments for others have always been welcome. What more do you want? David Robison
equisetum
At 12:04 PM 10/13/2002 -0400, Allen wrote: I remain pretty confused about identifying the varities of equisetum. As far as I can determing, both Hymale and Arvense appear in BOTH forms, the bush 'pine tree' and the leaveless 'snake grass' or 'joint-grass.' Chadwick says that arvense is the only equisetum that has joints that end with a brown edge. Photos of hymale on the web show it to have a brown edge to the segments. See pictures below http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/topics.cgi It shows pictures and distribution map for the various species. I believe hymale is the naked stem species. I've not heard the brown edge criterion before -- the criterion I've heard is that it be the vegetative, as opposed to the spore bearing stalk. And that comes from RS lectures. praetens seems to be the only species close enough to be confused and it might be close enough for use anyway. For a more detailed botanical keying system see http://hua.huh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/Flora/flora.pl?FLORA_ID=12395 BTW, it may be too late to harvest now. At least we always try to harvest before summer solstice. You can order dried herb from JPI. But given that it grows in every state, it should be possible to find a local source. I know what equisetum does (anti fungal wise). The interesting part is how and why (in fact the how and why for all the preps). And that leads to some deep thoughts about subtle natures. David Robison
equisetum
At 12:04 PM 10/13/2002 -0400, Allen wrote: There's a good photo display of hyemale at http://members.eunet.at/m.matus/e_berkley.html Gee, Allen. No wonder you had trouble identifying the plants. I did recognize a couple of the homo sapiens but found it rather difficult to focus on plant characteristics. :) David Robison
equisetum
At 12:03 PM 10/11/2002 -0400, Sharon wrote: Equisetium arvense is the recommended one for biodynamics, we had the other hymale growing in our garden and did an experiment, with fermenting it. The hymale did not have the strong potent smell as does the arvense, although it is similar. it seems worth the trouble to get the arvense to me. :)Sharon Hymale is the naked stem we call joint-grass. It has no leaves and the spore cone is on the end of the stalk. So it's pretty different. Of course, I don't really know how different the various members of the equisetum family might be for prep making. All have high silica and sort of micro-teeth like scales in their outer surface. Which is why they were used as scouring rush. I don't feel I fully understand why equisetum is what it is. I used to think that the tea was contributing Si but now I think it is much more subtle than that. I sent in a post a while back about JPI's analysis showing that the tea has a high S content. And the plant itself can be described as a Ca plant. RS describes it as pushing back excessive etheric force, as opposed to drawing in higher formative forces, as done by the Si in 501. Or the pulling in of etheric forces as done by the oak bark /skull prep. This sort of connects with Ca and sort of connects with having a purely vegetative stalk. And S is the important catalyst for bringing in higher formative forces. I also note that RS described equisetum in a different context from the other preps. It's separated from the 500/501 axis, separate from the compost pile preps, and included in his discussion of lunar/water aspects connected with remedies for disease. All makes it a very interesting subject. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
equisetum
At 12:03 PM 10/10/2002 -0400, Daniel wrote: Could some one please list or point me in the direction of instructions on making equisetum tea. My understanding is that there are two types of equisetum, can you use either? There are many species -- E. arvense or field horsetail is the one indicated. Other species occur, wood horsetail (E. sylvaticum) or giant horsetail (E. telmateia), for example. Related E. pratense is found in New England, upper Midwest, Canada, Alaska. We have always said to use plants with the feathery but non-spore bearing fronds (dimorphic). Easy to distinguish from the many other species that have spore cones and leaves occurring together (monomorphic). See the pictures at www.oregonbd.org Intro class #4. Best to harvest in late spring,before summer solstice. Arvense and pratense are both common North American species and there are also frequent natural hybrids. We have assumed these are basically the same as E arvense as long as the fronds do not have the spore cases on them. Don't use species with spore cones on the end of the same stalk as the leaves and you should be ok. This is one remedy that needs no preparation. Boil the tea well for 20 minutes or so to make sure the good stuff dissolves. You can use fresh or let it ferment -- Kolisko recommended the fermented tea. Dilute about 1:10 to use. David Robison
Re: BDNOW digest 1272
At 12:03 PM 10/8/2002 -0400, Allan wrote: Elaine revealed the results of testing some BD preps earlier in the year. I'll leave it to attendees who actually had a chance to attend the presentation to fill in the details. OK, Allan, we are all waiting David Robison
BDA conf
BDA has mailed the conference brochure but the info hasn't been posted to the web. Here's some info: BDA National Conference Our Animals Their Plight. Kingdom of Nature or Industrial Production: How do we keep and treat our domestic animals. November 8-10, 2002. The national biodynamics conference will be at the Eugene, OR Waldorf School. Featured speakers include: Siegward Elas, anthroposophic physician. Hugh Cortney, dedicated prep maker of Josephine Porter Institute. Gloria Stephen Decater, operate Live Power CSA farm in Mendocino, Ca. Trauger Groh, biodynamic farmer and author of Farms of Tomorrow Revisited, proponent of CSA approach. Additional workshop speakers: Gunther Hauk, Alan York, Beth Wieting, Andrew Lorand, Ise Kolbuszowski, Harold Haven, Jim Fullmer, Wali Via and the Oregon Biodynamic Group. Topics include a variety of workshops on animal care, prep making, biodynamic principals, anthroposophy, eurythmy. Conference fee $125 or $20 per lecture. Biodynamic meals for another $55. Lodging on your own; limited sleeping bag space. Reduced fees available for apprentices and interns. For information and to register, contact The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association (BDA). Plenary sessions: Groh, Gift sacrifice, what do we owe the animal Decaters, Living with animals Elas, Cow Manure and Insect Poisons, importance of animal substances for plants and humans Oregon BD group, panel with practitioners Workshop sessions: Hauk, large tasks of small animals York, Animal's role in diversification Groh, motivation out of spirit -- money and the farm Courtney, BD ashing Wieting, Timing -- Steiner's indications for calender Elas, Earthly and cosmic nutrition -- polar processes in gut and brain Lorand, Elemental beings in agriculture Kolbuszowski, Human nutrition in our time Countney, making 500 Wieting, Intro to anthroposophy Hoven, Seed savings and plant breeding Decaters, working with draft animals Lorand, BD viticulture Hauk, Spiritual goals of BD and Waldorf Fullmer, Farm as living organism Wieting, BD gardening Via, Composting for farmers Kolbuszowski, Euythmry Lorand, Meditative path of the farmer David Robison
cover crops
Dave - Have you found an affordable source for fava as a cover crop? What about mache? thanks, -Allan I've grown my own seed for years, easy to do for garden scale plantings. Obviously you need more for a CSA operation. You might buy a bulk order for the first year and grow it out. Both set copious amounts of seed. In fact, mache does great as a volunteer crop -- let it seed once and you will never have to sow it again. I believe Territorial Seed would sell a pound amount, no doubt other venders as well. FAVAs have grown great for me here, although I've never grown more than a bed of them. I've actually produced bushels of huge beans from them. They are, however (and this is ironic, given AC's remarks), suceptibl to fungal attacks. Mine always got black growing tips in the early spring. Maybe the temp/humidity there. I grow them as a cool season crop, out by June. I get some black tips at the end, and some black fly but never been a serious problem. Using 508 fits. Sharon said: Allen-I have never been able to grow favas here , maybe they needed a special innocculant.I tried several times with seed from Bountiful, as well as another place I can't remember. , perhaps fedco. The seed came up but just sat there and then died. I'm not used to that in our garden I thought it was because it wants an alkaline soil. I've grown it in Or and CA, where soils tend to be acid. Never had any problem, never needed an innoculant. Note that there are specific varieties of fava, some not cold tolerant at all. Windsor is the most popular in the trade and it's not my favorite for either cold tolerance or flavor. Territorial Seed has a good list of varieties. I don't know if a specific innoculant is marketed, I would look for a vetch innoculant since they are related. The corollary is that if vetch grows wild in your area, you probably have the bacteria present, just boost it with compost. I've used garden innoculant in the past, but don't bother now. BD compost seems to get them the bacteria they need, seems to be sufficient root nodules. BTW, after compost tea treatment, I had what appeared to be nodules on poppy plants this year -- dwarf variety of papver rhoes was 4-5 feet high. I had no idea they formed symbiotes. Makes you wonder how many other non-legumes might also be interacting with the azobacter. As far as mache, i tried it once and found it flavorless so , never grew it again. I find it a delicious lettuce-flavored green, but with more flavor than lettuce. Yum. It does become tougher with age, so gather it young and juicy. Incidentally, it is one of the few plants that actually can grow in winter (as opposed to sitting there dormant) under cool, low-light conditions. Great for the rainy Pacific NW. David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
solar dryers
Any thoughts or pointers? We have the sunshine and I'm keen to add value by dehydrating a portion of our produce. Thanks... Rex There was a Small Farm Energy Project back in the '70's. Bob Steffen was part of it. They had some folks using a large air collector, like 10 ft X20 ft to substitute for propane grain dryers. You used the same fan to blow heated air thru the grain bin but disconnected the propane burner. I've though of applying the same idea to a large cabinet dryer that would then be suitable for drying fruit etc. It's not hard to build a flat-plate air collector. It makes more sense to me to separate the components and optimize the heat production. But I don't know of anyone actually doing this on a large production scale. There are plenty of small homesteaders using solar dryers, for example, http://www.humboldt1.com/~michael.welch/extras/fooddeh.pdf BTW, I just heard that Bob Steffen lost his crop this year due to drought -- so none of those great BD oats this year. David Robison
solar dryer
At 12:03 PM 9/19/2002 -0400, Rex wrote: Has any listee built and used the solar dehydrator developed by Lea? I'm interested in any feedback on its performance. I built the one that was based on a 55 gallon metal drum, encased in fiberglass. Is that the one you mean? It worked -- sort of. My conclusion was that it didn't have enuf collector area to generate enuf heat. I added a small fan to help draw air thru and a bank of light bulbs for backup heat at night. I would recommend a different design. David Robison
covers
At 12:03 PM 9/19/2002 -0400, Teresa wrote: Could anyone suggest a cover crop to shelter this ground and hold it together over the winter? Something to establish quick, or have I left it too late? Will rye germinate this late? I lie rye/vetch because the grass sets a huge amount of root hairs, adding OM to the soil. Make sure it's annual, not perennial rye, so that it doesn't get established. Rye grain is ok. My other favorites are crimson clover (beautiful flower) and fava bean -- both are digested fairly easily by the soil when you turn them in. And for a cover you can eat, my favorite salad green is maches (corn salad). Makes a huge amount of root fiber too. David Robison
Religion?
At 12:04 PM 9/4/2002 -0400, Patti wrote: Dave, I have tried to access www.oregonbd.com but just get a message unable to locate server. Has this site moved? Oops. My mistake. It's www.oregonbd.org. David Robison
Prep container
At 12:01 PM 8/29/2002 -0400, sharon wrote: . last time i tried 504 there wasn't much left in the ground. the worms must have et it. We make 504 in a piece of earthenware pipe. Likewise, we bury the other preps in an earthenware flower pot. Otherwise, it's difficult to find them after the soil critters munched on them. as to the b.c. it is quite expensive and hard to find a clean , small wooden keg,as recomended. We make a wooden box from scrap lumber, it's not even round. Seems to work ok. I have made a barrel in the past, rip a bevel on a bunch of wooden slats and band them together into a cylinder. Using regular (Doug fir) lumber, it's only good for about one season. So hasn't been worth the trouble. As for the shape question, I've not tried storing the preps in anything other than brown glass bottles, but it sounds like an intriguing idea. I don't know how decay-resistant gourds are, and I'm not sure about coating them with other substances, but sounds like Steve has had good experiences. David Robison
Egg shaped
At 12:00 PM 8/28/2002 -0400, Ron wrote: Teresa, or anyone; I wondered, in your research if you came across any information on the correct proportions of the egg shape - something that one could construct something from? Probably the form would be enclosed by a double cube, but its the different curvature top and bottom that has be puzzled on how to re-create. Any info appreciated. Here's an interesting link on the mathematics of the form http://www.anth.org.uk/NCT/path.htm Interestingly, the egg shape and the vortex can be described with the same math, just change the parameters. Cool! David Robison Stellar Processes 1033 SW Yamhill Suite 405 Portland, OR 97205 (503) 827-8336 www.ezsim.com
Steiner Books Free Forum
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War on Iraq?
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Religion?
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Storing Preps
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Kolisko's work
At 12:00 PM 8/13/02 -0400, Teresa wrote: I have a copy of this book but I'm in the UK so the best would be for me to scan it when I can get to a scanner for an hour or three. This is a nice offer but the book is large, with many graphics, including some chromas in color. So scanning would be a major task. I think it would be great if someone wants to undertake the task, but it will be a lot of work. I have the book too, maybe we could share some of the scanning or proofing tasks. Anyone else interested in piecing out the work? == Dave Robison
flies
At 12:01 PM 7/23/02 -0400, Michael wrote: Dave- immature larvae of syrphid fllies are not aquatic. Those aquatic larvae in your nettles are therefore not syrphid flies. Tell it to the Ohio State Extension service -- that was a quote from their brochure. I agree that the syrphids I am used to live on plants, collecting aphids -- but I am willing to accept that there may be other species. == Dave Robison
Rattailed maggot and 501-5x
Allan-- On the 501, x and D are used interchangeably for a 1:10 potentization. I don't know where the 20 minutes of stirring comes from, it's Hugh Cortney's recommendation from JPI. On the bugs, Tony wrote: They could be rats tail larvae It belongs to one of the fly family not sure which one Could be one of your insect predator flies. I recall reading in Wolf Storl Book Culture and Horticulture that such larvae in compost teas is a good sign that they are ready to be used. I have them in my brews all the time during the summer months. Here's a bit from Ohio extension brochure Rattailed maggots, known as the larval or immature stage of Syrphid flies, are about 1-1/4 inches long. The body portion is about three fourth inch long and the tail portion (breathing tube) one half inch long. These maggots are white-colored with the body portion an elongated, oval, cylindrical shape, which is wrinkled and semitransparent, protracting into a long breathing tube (tail). These larvae of the Syrphid fly live in highly polluted water such as livestock lagoons, polluted abandoned fish pools, foul pools and streams associated with barnyards, etc. Maggots are able to live in the water, if sufficient solids are present as food. The adult flies resemble honey bees in appearance and are often seen hovering near the ground in the barnyard vicinity. These flies do not bite or sting humans, and are considered beneficial because they are predaceous on aphids, etc. I get these maggots in nettle tea etc altho with a much longer breathing tube. They are really gross looking but not harmful, just means it's time to get the tea out. As it says above, the adults are beneficials. The same maggots show up in the compost pile if there is too much wet, sloppy foodstuff -- I get them if I add a lot of apple pomace without sufficient aeration/heat. Once again, I don't consider them harmful, they break down the material and prepare it for digestion in the pile. == Dave Robison
BD remedies
Peter wrote: Could some one expand on this intensify the 501 and what determines a root, leaf, flower or fruit year? It's new to me. While we do have material posted on Thun's theory of the four signs applied to months, I'm not sure how it is applied to years. I would guess that one classifies the year according to the month when the prep is placed/retrieved. Or then again, it could be the sign when the year starts. like at Easter? Comments, Steve? == Dave Robison
vinegar
Tiny and Virgina-- Dave - I appreciate that you are probably merely pointing out a legalistic difficulty, but I guess that acetic acid is acetic acid is acetic acid... Ironically, any chemist would tell you that, of course, acetic acid is organic! Yes, I understand that acetic acid is the same. I was responding to the quoted article in which the authors described using various strengths and also stated that they used organic vinegar, ie) derived from foods. I question whether 20% organic vinegar is available -- I can only imagine glacial acetic acid would be that strong. But maybe there is a source == Dave Robison
horsetail
At 12:04 PM 6/5/02 -0400, you wrote: I've found a good source of horsetail which I plan to harvest next week. Usually I used dried horsetail to make 508 as needed. I'm wondering if anyone has every made the tea at harvest, stored and used the tea as need ? any concerns with storage/fermentation ? Kolisko has some beautiful chromas of the tea pre and post fermentation. He felt the fermented showed much more potency. I belive that it is Koepf who recommends using the fermented tea. It is described as going until it develops it's characteristic odor. It reeks! At that point, it can be filtered and stored. One local farmer ferments a large batch which he then uses for the rest of the season, including injecting into the irrigation system. I use it both fresh, if I need it right away, and fermented, if I have some. It's a lot easier to store the dried stuff. == Dave Robison
chickens
At 12:04 PM 6/5/02 -0400, you wrote: Can anyone direct me toward info on herbal or homeopathic treatment of chicken ailments? I think Heinz Grotski sells an herbal mix for adding to chicken feed. As I recall, the rationale is that birds, as creatures of the air, benefit from having aromatic herbs in their diet. On free range, they peck up supplements on their own but in confined conditions, they need some herbs. I belive Heinz's mix includes hedgerow plants, such as willow bark, hawthorn, etc, as well as aromatics, such as oregano, mints, etc. Haven't used it but it sounds appropriate. Dunno if it addresses your problem. == Dave Robison
urban manure
Help me here, a serious question 'caue I'm no zoologist: are elephants ruminants? Cud chewing bliss beasts filled with beneficial micro-organisms? -Allan No, not a ruminant. (tho I'm no zoologist either) but they have a big gut and a strong digestive process. I suppose elephants are closer to pigs (Koenig has an animal classification system that places them there) except that their diet is more veg and less omni. I belive that in the wild, they would eat more like browse. But in the zoo, they get fed nice, high quality hay. I didn't mean to say they are equivalent to cows -- nothing else is -- but similar. At one point, our local zoo was marketing ZooDoo and it was pretty good stuff. == Dave Robison
Soap Sheild
At 12:01 PM 5/8/02 -0400, you wrote: Are you looking for an environmentally superior, all-in-one fungicide for your garden? Decomposes! Soap-Shield eventually decomposes to form soluble copper and fatty acid, both necessary to the growth of plants and soil microorganisms. I'm surprised no one answered. I don't feel like an expert but I will put in my opinion. The fact is that this is a biocide -- and will have some effect on the ecosystem and soil web -- amount of effect is unknown. Generally, we avoid soap sprays because they affect beneficial insects as well as problem ones. Copper, as CuSO4, is a fungicide. One could argue that Cu is a essential trace element (true) but the concentrations to kill fungus are way beyond the trace level needed. CuSO4 has been allowed as an organic spray on the argument that it is a naturally occurring mineral. I don't agree --it's still a biocide, as are many other naturally occurring substances. So it sounds like they are trying to give you an all-in-one biocide that will kill insects as well as fungi. Usual chemical mindset applied to sell organic products. Why would you want to use it? What problem are you experiencing? Decide if it's fungus or insect and follow the appropriate strategy rather than apply a scattergun where you might not even have a problem. Is it ok to use Cu? Well, not exactly. It is a fungicide, acts as an antagonist to Zn (another necessary trace mineral), will have some effect on soil microlife. And having said that, I do use it myself. In our damp climate, it is unwise to grow peaches -- they just die from peach leaf curl, even disease resistant cultivars. But the fruit is so wonderful, I can't resist trying. I have a couple of backyard dwarf trees to which I apply Cu spray sparingly, keep covered so the rain wont wash it down to the soil and still have to hand prune a lot of disease off. If anyone has any better ideas, I would like to hear them. Greg had a method involving fertilizing with horse manure compost that I have not been able to try. Someone else suggested crab apple blossom essence but didn't explain how it is applied. == Dave Robison
compost tea
Gil-- I'm not a biologist but I don't fully understand the cases you described. We have had two serious cases of bacterial poisoning that has been traced back to Organic growers. The first concerned orange juice made from a mixture of organic and conventional fruit. Many people were poisoned and a major national brand nearly ruined by it. When it was traced back to the grower, it was an organic grower, who was using irrigation in an area with almost no rainfall and thus the folia spray had not washed off the fruit when it was processed, resulting in the bacteria getting into the fresh juice. (The whole orange is crushed, so anything on the skin can be mixed in with the juice.) If there's no rain and presumably not fungal disease on the tree, why spray a foliar application? Is it supposed to be foliar fertilizer? Is it supposed to provide longer shelf life for the fruit? What kind of bacteria would make people sick? Salmonella? E. coli? Were these present in the compost? Or the tea? My expectation is that well made compost should not have such bacteria present. Nor should properly aerobic tea. The other was only a few days ago and from the early report it seems to be very high bacteria counts in salad vegetables. This occurred in a very up market establishment and may cause them to stop using organic product. What kind of bacteria? I can't imagine that there would be a problem unless it was something like salmonella. Was such a bacteria coming from compost? Or was it raw manure? As far as I know, the cases we had of dangerous E. coli came from raw manure, in some cases from cows ranging in the orchard and windfall fruit being harvested from the ground. This is an important issue because the scare factor from these cases resulted in the gov't developing completely unrealistic regulations regarding compost turning etc. == Dave Robison
Re: BDNOW digest 1114
At 12:04 PM 4/26/02 -0400, you wrote: From: Allan Balliett [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Business Opportunity Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ; format=flowed Here is a unique opportunity. Paul is looking for a successor to buy out his BD flower nursery. Someone's chance to acquire a business that is already profitable and is being asked to expand. Where is it located, Dave? -Allan Forest Grove Oregon, about 20 miles outside of Portland. BTW, Paul grows only flowers but he is the only BD farm near Portland, all the other Oregon growers are further away. There are a number of organic CSAs nearby, but none are BD. Portland has a vigorous anthropop/Waldolf community, some of whom subscribe to get a weekly delivery of BD produce trucked up from California! I surely wish we had a BD CSA in the area, tho I think Paul has demonstrated that you can make a lot better living with a high-value crop like flowers. == Dave Robison
Oh my, a farm! and elementals
Pam-- Congrats! I know you've been working for this. Given the lack of equipment, you might consider staying small at the home garden level. No doubt there are folks in the neighborhood who would help work up a garden plot. We had good success with our first year's community garden. The gardeners were mostly novices, we had no tillage equipment and we didn't want to till up the quack grass anyway cause that would just spread it around. So we covered with cardboard, sheet mulched with commercial yard-debris compost, planted into beds. Crops were slow getting started because the stuff was high carbon, but once roots got down to the soil, they did great. This year the soil is beautifully friable with almost no weeds. Of course, BD treatments helped. Anyway, that's an option for getting started. Micah-- This sounds so cool! Are you coming to the spring meeting of the Oregon group? Can you share pictures? I had a friend who used to photograph the etheric creatures, he would focus his camera out, so the rocks, trees, whatever, were out of focus, and take the picture. When they were developed, they would be full of life, it was amazing. I went out hiking with him once, and I would see something, and he would shoot it, and develop it, and it would be just exactly what I saw. No trick except the focus change, and the rocks would have rock people, undines in rivers, it was wild! == Dave Robison
Fwd: RE: [Gardening Feedback] lunar calendar?
FYI. BBC no longer posts the lunar calendar. Guess it was too outrageous for them. From: Ceri Thomas - Interactive [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: 'Dave Robison' [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Gardening Feedback] lunar calendar? Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2002 15:56:32 +0100 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) Dear Mr Robinson Thank you for your email. I am afraid we no longer feature the lunar calendar. Happy gardening! The Gardening Interactive Team http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening == Dave Robison
Knapweed
At 12:02 PM 4/4/02 -0500, Tony wrote:
Is
Merla's knapweed the same as ours in Britain - Centaurea scabiosa or C.
nigra (also known as Hardheads ?
Names are confusing.
Spotted knpweed is Centaurea maculosa
Hardhead is sometimes used as common name for C.
macrocephalea, one of my favorite garden flowers. well behaved tho it has
thugish cousins.
I have it
occasionally in a rough lawn on an old cinder patch but don't find it at
all invasive (it can easily be mown out). It is, indeed, attractive
and valuable as the major food-plant of cinnabar moth larvae ('football
jersey' caterpillars).
Tansy ragwort Senecio spp. is the host for cinnabar moth, at least over
here.
not to be confused with common tansy Tanacetum vulgare
==
Dave Robison
Prep Questions!
At 12:02 PM 4/3/02 -0500, Robert wrote: Greetings, all. I just finished reviewing the various instructions posted on the list over the past year for spraying 500 and 501, preceded by a mix of 502-507. But I'm a bit confused - none of the instructions agree with one another. The value of this forum is the diversity of opinions. Of course, that richness is the source of confusion too, as there are different ideas. To start, you might review the traditional BD practices (eg. Thun's Gardening for Life). The idea is to spray 500/evening on the earth, 501/morning as the crops are maturing. 508 (equisitum) as needed for a fungus remedy. You might call these the earth spray and the cosmic spray. Thun adds BC as another earth prep. For ex., one gent says to spray 500 before sowing - then to wait to spray 501 until bloom. Another says to spray 500 one evening, follwed by 501 the next morning. Which is correct??? Sequential spraying is an idea that seems to have come from Hugh Courtney. The idea is to follow earth and cosmic sprays in sequence. It has a good feel to keep the forces balanced. But there may be exceptions. When you first work up the soil and it has no plant life, you might do just an earth spray. Or when plants need to mature, you might to just a cosmic spray. Depends on what's needed, which is why the observant practioner is so important to the whole process. Also - I have 502-507 in separate vials, for insertion into a compost heap. But can I make a spray out of these, instead - and, if so, how do I do it? Generally, put the compost preps in the pile, without the container. See any of the BD texts for specific instructions. Some suggest that you can get the same effect and be able to re-use the preps if you keep them in a vial. But that's not the traditional practice and it's hard to find the little vials again anyway. The valarian prep at least needs to be sprayed all over the whole pile. Sometimes the compost preps are used to treat seeds as a semi-traditional practice. Others have developed homeopathic versions of these preps and apply them to plants. But this is not the traditional practice and not all accept the new ideas. As far as sequence, do I apply the 502-507 mix, followed by the 500 and then the 501, with 508 sprayed last? 502-507 go into the compost pile, are not sprayed. 500 and 501 are sprayed on the earth or the air over the plants respectively. 508 is traditionally used only when you have a fungus problem. Altho others like to use 508 as part of the cosmic spray. And where does Horn Clay fit into the mix - between the 500 and 501, or after the 501? HELP That's one of the new ideas, used in conjunction with 500/501 to moderate forces. But it's use is not accepted by all. I am somewhat surprised that you did not receive instructions. Usually, whoever supplies the preps includes an instruction sheet. I suggest that you check with the Koepf text http://www.soilandhealth.org/01aglibrary/010114koepf/bda.html == Dave Robison
Re: BDNOW digest 1086
At 12:01 PM 3/28/02 -0500, you wrote: Does anyone know where I can buy the 2002 Maria Thun calendar in the US? Not that it's a substitute but the same info has been posted for free at Weekly Lunar Gardening Guide hosted by the BBC in England at http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/lunar/index.shtml I notice that they are redesigning the site so location may change. Remember we are eight hours behind their time (seven hours during daylight savings months). == Dave Robison
Merla and the Weed Board
Another thought occurred to me. Glen Atkinson has gotten international registration for his preps. I believe such registration is automatically accepted by US authorities (check with the weed board). Perhaps it would be worthwhile to purchase from Glen in NZ. Even tho shipping would be higher, you would save on registration expense. == Dave Robison
Merla and the Weed Board
Dave, everything's O.K. as long as it isn't purchased. If I had made the Pfeiffer Field Spray myself, then it wouldn't have to be registered. Here are two emails I got from Randy, my nemesis yesterday andtoday. Here is Title 22, Chapter 22-2205 Registration, Chapter 22-2218 Violations, Chapter 22-2219 Remedies for Violations from Idaho Statutes. Myconclusion is that I will have to jump through the hoop. Hugh Courtney can't afford to. It sounds logical from a government mindset -- whatever they use has to be registered. I wonder if JPI can even provide with sufficient information on the ingredients. Like is dry compost powder sufficient without lab analysis? I doubt it, And I doubt that you can get away with a mere $100. I expect a lot more will be required for lab analysis. Another option to consider -- make your own BC and weed peppers, if there is an exception for locally made or non-purchased materials (which I didn't see in Chapter 22). == Dave Robison
Merla and the Weed Board
Merla, perhaps I don't understand the registration issues. Why do you need registration for preps? If you spray homeopathic treated water, why does it need to be certified for OG? Is this because the weed board needs to claim it as a pesticide? Does compost tea need to be certified? Sewage sludge isn't certified because of the danger of heavy metals. Clopyralid pesticide is a serious problem that just showed up last year. The chemical is used in as a pre-emergence herbicide under the name Confront. Usage is restricted to licensed applicators, but that include lawn companies. These same companies deposit their grass clippings in local compost yards. It turns out that clopyralid is completely persistent -- almost immune to composting. So anyone who uses that compost for planting mix gets zapped. The problem hit commercial growers last year and was documented by local gardeners. I'm not sure the extent to which farmers use the chemical, non-organic straw bedding may be affected. One more reason to make your own compost on-site and avoid brought-in stuff == Dave Robison
Testing Preps?
I vote to ask for the tests Elaine specified. Count me in for $10. I would like to test 500, BC and Pfieffer spray. I would also be interested in comparing some different versions -- like how does our Oregon 500 compare to Storch's or Hugh's or JPI's. But given the high cost of tests, I don't think it's worth it unless we get some special price reduction. As for why do it? We don't know what we will find till we try, and we may not find anything that shows up in her tests. As an example of learning what you don't know -- thanks, Hugh, for the mention of the valerian and horsetail analysis. I was blown away by those results! And I found it strange that no one else even commented on it. Here's a Si type effect happening without a lot of SI ( which I always thought was the explanation) but with S instead. Of course, it's not quantity that counts. But it makes you think when your assumptions are challenged. Back to checking what RS actually said, rather than what I thought he said. BTW, that chemical analysis was done several years ago, I ran across it in an old copy of JPI's Applied Biodynamics. For Hugh or Bonnie or anyone else in the area, the Oregon group will have it's spring meeting May 5 to unearth last fall's preps. See www.oregonbd.org == Dave Robison
Re: BDNOW digest 1078
Does anyone have an email address to obtain this report? The NZ website has no contact info. Dear Organic Friends, The Research and Development Group of the Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Assn. has just finished a research report Frank van Steensel (M.Ag.Sc., B.Ag/Hort) Research Manager of the Research and Development Group of the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening ass. == Dave Robison
Re: BDNOW digest 1047
At 12:01 PM 2/17/02 -0500, you wrote: I'm new to the list. Is there a digest version? I couldn't find instructions on this anywhere. . . so when you're updating your info at the bottom of messages. . . . Thanks I finally got this to work email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the following in the body SET BDNOW MAIL DIGEST == Dave Robison
Re: CEC Balancing
At 08:23 PM 1/30/02 -0200, you wrote: I have glanced the article which was kindly sent to me by Dave Robinson or the Walter Goldstein's article from Sept Biodynamics Cation Balancing : Is it beneficial or Bogus ? It came to me as a surprise because I had this magazine in high respect. To my knowledge they don´t have any one to review the articles otherwise they would not allow such a bunch of crap like that to be published . Whoa! Enough with these personal attacks! Walter is a very careful researcher and author, whom I hold in friendship and respect. He is deeply committed to BD and trying hard to gain acceptance for it in the world of conventional ag. If you have problems with his analysis, I suggest you contact him thru Michael Fields Institute. You may disagree with another's article, but please treat other persons with common courtesy and respect. I interpret Walter's article as in no way disagreeing with CEC balancing, but as saying there is no evidence for the particular level of Ca that Albrecht identified as ideal. I think if you discussed the matter you would find that Walter's position is not as different as you think. As for Biodynamics magazine, I would be the first to agree that they do a poor job of reviewing the articles they publish. But that's another story. Those who get the magazine may have noticed my letter in the last issue. I have had no response from anyone on the BDA board re) their lack of contact with constituents and no response from Heinz on my offer to help with reviewing articles. Oh well. == Dave Robison
intro class on-line
FYI We have been low-key about announcing it, but we are having a one-day intensive workshop, Introduction to Biodynamics for farmers, on Saturday, Jan 26. It's sort of an experiment since I don't feel qualified as a farmer, but Wali Via from Wintergreen Farm is helping me with it. Details are on the website. I took this occasion to re-write the introductory course that is posted on-line at www.oregonbd.org It is available to all. Thanks to Glen and Hugh and all the others that have contributed. == Dave Robison
Re: Question for Elaine
At 12:48 PM 1/11/02 -0500, you wrote: Speaking of horse nettle - can anyone send me a picture of this plant, or a link to a site that would have pictures? Solanum carolinense Carolina horsenettle; horse nettle; ball nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium silverleaf nightshade; silverleaved nightshade; white horse nettle; bull nettle; oliveleaf nightshade search at http://www.vth.colostate.edu/poisonous_plants/report/search.cfm Why would you want them? == Dave Robison
Re: Hydoponic BD 2
At 10:07 PM 1/8/02 -0500, you wrote: As I understand it, plants are basically a thermo engine, using warm leaves evaporating moisture to create the sucking to pull up the nutrients absorbed by the cooler roots. The greater the temperature difference (delta T) between roots and leaves, the more sucking there is. Sort of, but there is more to the energy than simple thermo. The energy flux is not simply due to temp difference. The more nutrients the plant can ingest, the healthier the plant. BD says there is more to it A brix reading of the plant seems to bare this out. The higher the brix, the healthier the plant seems to be...the healthier the plant the more umph its product have ( fruit, flowerettes, leaves, etc). It seems that the higher the health level of the plant is, the less disease, parasites etc. it has. Not necessarily, you can have carbo compounds that signal an unhealthy condition and attract pests, you can have overly lush growth that is ripe for pests. Most plants seem to have the greatest spurts of growth in Springtime when soil is still relkatively cool and the Sun is warming the young leaves. BD says there is more to it Herein lies my interest in what BD may do. Since the procedure above is not chemical in nature, rather it utilizes the normal thermo dynamic process. OK, but there is more to the plant growth process than just thermo Someone suggested or perhaps they miss understood the procedure I described thinking it was a hydroponic system. I of course was open to discuss this twist on the cold ag system I was familiar with and the concept of blending it with hydroponics. Sounds like you are familiar with use of cold water, say seawater, in pipelines to cool tropical soil and permit the growing of temperate crops, such as lettuce. That's a way to establish a temperate ecosystem in another climate, it could be done using BD principles in the soil beds. I expect you would find some differences, Grohman makes the point that etheric forces extend further out of the soil in tropical latitudes. Better read up on BD first. == Dave Robison
Re: Soil Foodweb Questions?
Regarding the backyard scale, aquarium bubbler compost brewer, what is the current research regarding how that compost tea compares to commercially brewed tea? We have heard that commercial brewers must take care to sterilize the walls and surfaces between batches. Why is that? Why do the surfaces serve as inoculation sites for bad organisms? What are the problems with surface-dwelling organisms? == Dave Robison
Re: Bio-Dynamic weed control
At 10:08 AM 12/31/01 -0800, you wrote: As a novice, I would appeciate any advice. Where can I purchase Rudolf Steiner's books? Or instructions for making BD preps? You are pretty close to Rudolf Steiner College, 9200 Fair Oaks Blvd., Fair Oaks, CA 95628; Tel: 916-961-8727. Their bookstore has BD books. Steiner's Ag Lectures are difficult to grasp -- I recommend the new translation by Malcolm Gardner. I also suggest you look at the BD Introduction at www.oregonbd.org Preps from Josephine Porter Institute, P.O. Box 133, Woolwine, VA 24185, 540-930-4463 == Dave Robison
BD system
At 04:48 PM 12/31/01 -0800, you wrote: A NUX = heightened sense of smell = MCS.. Makes sense! Thanks Allen! Don't know much about homeopathy - but seems to work for many. I want to know why! Maybe too scientific minded - I tend to toss the mysticism - and want concrete evidence! Just flipping around sites BD (all new to me) seems riddled with nebulous assumptions and mystical elements. Am I wrong? Yeah, me too. Recognize that BD is one aspect (the agricultural part) of a very complete conceptual model developed by Steiner. Other aspects relate to Waldorf education, Eurythmy dance/music therapy, medical treatments, etc. You can take the system as an alternative conceptual model -- a way to explain our observations about the natural world. In that sense, it is neither to be proved or disproved -- the question is whether it is useful. Does it explain things? Is conceptual system consistent? Does it lead to new understandings of how plants behave? Does it lead to remedies when you observe something off? And BD does all that, once you learn the system. In that system elementals or nature spirits can be thought of a poetic means for us to imagine how life is manifesting. But elementals, prayers to the deities, moon phases? Tho I try to be open minded, my base line is skepticism! The next part of is more difficult to believe and that is that any of this stuff actually works. For that, there is a body of documented experiments. I tried to cover this stuff in a rational way on the BD Intro at www.oregonbd.org == Dave Robison
OFF: Pesticide News Item
ethical issues. Goldman also finds it disturbing that test subjects are given money to take the pesticide tablets, saying that encourages students and low-income individuals to participate. Goldman said she believed that pressure from the industry prevented the Clinton administration from finalizing a policy governing human testing. When it came to new regulations or new policies like this one--and especially around the Food Quality Protection Act that had such a major impact on the world--we had a whole lot of push-back through the White House from industry, and a lot of it would come at us from Congress, she said. == Dave Robison
