WHAT IS FERMENTED PLANT JUICE?
Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) can be used as a seed and plant solution to help increase the plant nutrition. It is derived from a single plants’ sources most nutrient parts, and combined with brown sugar for fermentation. During osmosis the brown sugar acts as a food source for growing microbes. This process takes 7-10 days.
BENEFITS OF USING FERMENTED PLANT JUICE (FPJ)
- Can preferentially attract pests away from crops
- Helps to enhance soil quality and increase production of plants
- Works as a probiotic for both plants and animals
HOW IS FERMENTED PLANT JUICE (FPJ) MADE?
Fermented Plant Juice is made through a process of fermentation. You should start this process by taking consideration of how much end product you desire. During extraction the final quantity of end product will be roughly 1/10 the initial amount.
Material Gathering
You’ll want to seek out your desired plants early in the morning, preferably right before sunrise. Collect the plant material during dry conditions. Do not collect during rain. Collect the parts of the plant which have most recently grown. (2-3 inches long)
Weighting Out Your Plant Material
After collecting the necessary plant material to make Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) you’ll want to weigh it out. Make sure you do not wash any of your gathered materials. Cut any larger pieces down to 2-3 inches in length.
Fermentation Of Your Plant Material
Now that you have weighed out you plant material it’s time to mix it with equal weight brown sugar. The brown sugar should be mixed thoroughly as to cover every part of the plant material. The brown sugar should start to liquefy as it is being mixed. This will become your liquid base for the Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ). Place mixed material into a mason jar. Place a paper towel over the jar and use a rubber-band to secure the towel. Store the covered container in a well-ventilated area away from artificial or natural light and extreme heat or cold. Do not refrigerate. After 24 hours place a small layer (1/8 – 1/4″) of brown sugar on top of the plant material to insure no mold will occur. Let material sit undisturbed for 7-10 days.
Extracting The Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ)
Run material through a strainer into another mason jar.
Long Term Storage
It is important to store your Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) properly. Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) is made with live microorganisms that will continue to produce gases. Any lid mush be kept loose on the container or your container can explode. For long-term storage, add an equal amount of brown sugar by weight to Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ). Only mix (with water) what you plan to use right away. Use the dilution table and directions for applications.
DIRECTIONS
Apply in the evening temperature of 75 degrees or less. (if temperature is over 75 degrees, double the amount of water). Solution can be applied directly to the plant leaves or poured into the root bed. Apply only once per week.
WHAT IS KNF?
Korean Natural Farming (KNF) is a sustainable system developed by Master Han Kyu Cho of the Janong Natural Farming Institute in South Korea, based on generations of sustainable farming methods practiced in Japan, China, and Korea. KNF optimizes the production of plants or livestock through farming methods. Korean Natural Farming methods maintain a balance in nutrient input and output. This practice minimizes any detrimental effects on the environment. The balance is maintained by encouraging the growth of naturally occurring indigenous microorganisms (IMO), which in turn produce nutrients that are used in the production of crops and livestock. Virtually all of the inputs used in KNF, as compared to those used in conventional agricultural practices, are available locally at a fraction of the cost of imported feeds, composts, and fertilizers. Cultivation of IMO was covered in a previous publication (Park and DuPonte 2008).