DUF Challenge

DUF Challenge during this Stay home time

Production of EM, Bokashi and Liquid fertilizer

EFFECTIVE MICRO-ORGANISMS

Ingredients

¼ cup Raw rice

      1 cup Water (non-chlorinated)

80 oz whole cream milk

1 teaspoon Molasses

Materials
a bottle for mixing, fine mesh strainer, 1 qt mason/ball jar (4 cups), a one-gallon gar or bottle

Step one

Created by Kaydoc on March 27, 2020 at 10:00p.m.

*Take note - amount used is doubled

 

Stored in cool dark place until April 1 - 3, 2020

Instructions

1.         add rice to water in a bottle with cap.

a.      Shake vigorously. The water should turn cloudy white.

b.      Put strainer on top of the jar, strain off the rice (this is not the part to use).

c.       The liquid part is what is needed. Place the cap unto the jar loosely.

d.      Store in a cool dark place (or cabinet lockers) for 5 to 7 days

e.      After 5-7 days, sift off the top layer and strain the liquid again. This liquid is the fermented liquid.

Step two

After 5 to 7 days, gather the materials above.

                Liquid after 5 days (left)                            Strained liquid (right)                             

2.         Use one-part fermented liquid to 10-parts milk in a gallon jar or bottle (ratio of 1 to 10 of whatever unit of measurement you choose)

a.   Loosely put the cap/lid on

b.   Let this sit for another 5 to 7 days

c.    After 5-7 days, sift of the curd that will settle on top.

d.   The light-yellow liquid that remains will be the Unactivated serum.

The strained (fermented) liquid is added to whole milk in a ratio of 1 to 10)

The mixture (fermented liquid and milk) is covered loosely and stored for another 5-7 days
(made April 1, 2020)

Unactivated serum produced after 5-7 days.

3.         add 1 teaspoon of molasses to the serum. This will feed the organisms.

              a.   Refrigerate the serum. This is your EM (inoculum) and can last for at least one year.

Pale yellow liquid remaining after the curd is skimmed off.

Unactivated serum strained to remove residues of curd

Molasses added to feed the organisms and stored in the refrigerator (or a very cool place)

This is the finished product - homemade EM

Dosage

Add 1-part serum to 20-parts water (room temperature) to activate the serum

Feed the diluted serum (EM) to the soil directly or by foliar feeding (applying to leaves).

*Foliar feeding can be done once a week.

(Process completed by Kaydoc on April 7, 2020 at 8p.m.)

BOKASHI 

(an anaerobic fermentation composting method used to amend soil and improve its texture)

  

Ingredients

10 lbs. Rice bran or saw dust (ensure this is free of pine wood)

4 tablespoons EM

4 tablespoons Molasses10 cups water (non-chlorinated)

Materials
large garbage bags, large container for mixing

Instructions

1.   Add molasses to water and add the EM

2.   Pour mixture unto the rice bran and mix well.

3.   Keep checking the moisture content. It should not be too wet.

4.   To check for moisture, squeeze the bran to form a ball.

5.   Add more water if the ball could not hold together.

6.   Once satisfied with moisture content (30-40%), put into the large garbage bag. Tightly seal to prevent air from entering.

7.   Store in a shaded and warm area. Leave to ferment for a minimum of 14 days.

8.   The mixed bran (Bokashi) should have a sweet-sour smell after 14 days. This is ready for use (wet mix). Store in airtight container.

*Try as much as possible to prevent mould from forming. That is, by preventing air from coming in contact with it during the process.

*white mould is tolerable. Black or green mould means the product is not desired.

9.   If you prefer a dry mix, spread the bokashi in thin layers on a concrete surface after day 14. This (air drying) can be done for three consecutive days (sunny). This is done for longer storage.

10.  The dried bokashi should be stored in a sealed bag at room temperature for up to 12 months.

Use of bokashi

As organic fertilizer (compost tea)

Enhancing the decomposition of organic waste

Reconditions soil (soil conditioner) to increase nutrient level

Use as top dressing

Can be diluted to create foliage spray

LIQUID FERTILIZER (organic)

Ingredients

5 lbs rice bran (or saw dust)

2 ½ gallons non-chlorinated water (same as ½ bucket)

1 litre milk (full cream)

½ litre EM

1 litre molasses

4 eggs

Materials
1 five-gallons bucket, weighing scale for rice bran, 1 large spoon for stirring, a measuring cup.

Instruction:

1. Combine all ingredients

2. Stir every day for at least 15 minutes or more (or even twice a day)

3. Do this for three weeks

Dosage

Dilute 250ml of the liquid fertilizer in 5 gallons of water. Apply to plant drench.

*The organic fertilizer can last for 2 months if stirred every day.