Fertilizer Fermenting And Mold Growth?

dustin

Ive followed one of the many recipes on this forum for making fertilizer cakes. Ive got the paste in a cooler, covered, under my deck. Its been a week, and I peeked in today and the entire surface is covered in a hairy mold. Is this normal, or is it not drying out fast enough or what? I dont want to botch the whole batch.

Thanks for any input,
Dustin

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dustin

^

nobody makes their own? Im worried that I might botch the whole box full.

Bonsainut

Dust,
Yes very normal. Is the mix very hot at this time. I usually let it heat and cool then re mix to rev it up again and let it get hot again. I do this until the mix is black and not as smelly as before. May take 4-5 times. Add water each time, moist but not soggy.

When ready I use a cookie dropper(like a ice cream scoop but smaller) and drop out balls on to a nursery flat. Let dry completly and seal up in plastic bags. This will keep indefinitly if its very very dry.

I am making fertlzer now for future use probably next spring. Makes a nice raffle donation also. Label the bag , cuz you dont want folks eating those scrumptous chocolate dookies. ( I mean cookies)(that was a real typo!)

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Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

dustin

ok great thanks. Its actually been pretty humid and about 85 here in Atlanta. Ive sprayed some veggie safe insecticide on the surface but hadnt thought of mixing it up to help the bacteria along.

TreeBay

I haven't made any in a year or two, but I would put add a packet of baker's yeast to a large (5-gallon plus) batch to accelerate fermentation. I never had mold growing on mine as it fermented, but I did stir it occasionally. Mostly it bubbled a lot.

Insecticide isn't going to do much on the mold - which is a fungus.

Regards,

Matt

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