Biocast+ application
Ways you can use Biocast+
There are four main ways we recommend the use of Biocast+. They are as a foliar application, as a soil application, as a transplant drench, and as a seed inoculate. Read on for more information on the benefits of each, what situations each is best for, and how to apply it.
On the leaves (foliar)
Benefits:
- Direct contact of microbes on the leaf surface helps suppress pathogens and diseases by introducing competition. It creates a more balanced leaf surface ecology where no one thing is as likely to get out of check.
- Fulvic acid takes the minerals that are bonded with it through the plant cell walls for an immediate effect.
- There is a double effect because whatever drips off the leaf lands on the ground and is usable by the plant’s roots, making it our preferred application.
- This method allows plants to develop their own soil microbe communities at a level that is sustainable to them (healthy plants build healthy soils!).
What to use this method on:
- This is our favourite application as Biocast+ is safe to apply to the leaf surface of all plants.
- Plants suffering from fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and black spot, and those prone to such diseases (prevention is easier that a cure).
- Plants looking poorly that need a quick boost.
- Fast growing plants such as vegetables.
How to apply:
- Use a watering can or sprayer with a large droplet size (to protect the microbes).
- In your vessel, add part B to part A and dilute with water 20:1.
- Spray in the coolest part of the day to maximise leaf contact time before evaporation.
- Aim for 70-80% leaf coverage just to the point of runoff. If you are using a watering can this is roughly a regular walking pace while watering.
- For maintenance applications apply when the plant is actively growing, or once a fortnight through the growing season, up to once a week for very fast growing plants like leafy green vegetables.
On the soil
Benefits:
- Hormones boost root growth.
- Microbial associations assist plant stability by helping to create a beneficial soil environment, for example by buffering pH and acting like a water sponge.
- Microbes and their enzymes promote maximum nutrient uptake.
- Protects against soil diseases by introducing microbial competition, making it less likely for one species to get out of check.
What to use this method on:
- Soils contaminated with microbial diseases such as pithium root rot and phytopthera
- Growers using fertigation
- Enhancing potting mixes
How to apply:
- Add part B to part A as per mixing instructions and dilute 20:1 with water.
- Apply as a drench or through drip irrigation (fertigation) to the root zone.
- Water over newly planted seeds (see also seed inoculate, below).
As a transplant drench
Benefits:
- Improves transplant success rates, minimising losses.
- Microbes and their byproducts cut transplant shock.
- Root-stimulating hormones encourage new root growth, aiding rapid establishment.
- Protection against root diseases.
- Inoculates the soil around the new plant with beneficial microbes.
What to use this method on:
- Use when planting out seedlings
- When transplanting mature plants
- When transplanting small seedlings in a nursery.
How to apply:
- In your bucket combine part A and part B as per mixing instructions. Dilute with water 20:1.
- Submerge root ball in Biocast+ prior to planting.
- Saturation time depends on the size of the root ball. E.g. Small seedlings 3-5 minutes, large mature trees up to 2 hours.
As a seed inoculate
Benefits:
- Puts beneficial microbes where they are needed from the start of the plant’s life.
- Can promote rapid establishment of the seedling.
What to use this method on:
- Any seed – however, you may find it impractical when hand planting smaller seeds.
- Effective way to spread microbes in a broadacre/ pasture setting
How to apply:
- Mix part A and part B as per mixing instructions. Use undiluted.
- Immerse seeds to coat. Soaking not required for inoculation. The video below demonstrates what you’re looking for.
- For large quantities of seed an auger or cement mixer can be used to coat the seed. As little as 5L per tonne is required as long as the Biocast+ contacts each seed.