Conditions For Growth

Ive set up this blog to document my thoughts, research and experiments. It has occurred to me in recent months that many of the ideas concerning how ide like to live are, just that, ideas, seeds without the right conditions to grow. Furthermore, they are subject to that which isn’t real, the future. My aim is to integrate them into daily life. Metaphorically and quite literally, it all starts with the seed. That just leaves me with the question: what conditions do they need to grow…

Peas (Pisum sativum) Update

Peas were soaked for 12 hrs and then drained and left in moist conditions for another 12hrs before planting evening of 11/03/13

Edible leaves

Useful list of edible leaves:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plants_with_edible_leaves

The acacia shoots (Acacia pennata) are something I recognise from China. Would be good to give these a go:

Acacia pennata (English: Climbing wattle, Thai: ชะอม Cha-om, Burmese Su pout ywet) is a species of acacia which is native to South and Southeast Asia.

Fresh Shoots

Notes:
Acacia victoriae is currently the most important wattle used in the Australian bushfood industry.

Today's Planting

germinating:

Okra Seeds (Fresh)

Red Pepper Seeds (Fresh)

x1 Mango embryo (yellow variety is often poly-embryonic so i hope for more than one tree from this seed) Need to work out type of mango:
http://forum.xcitefun.net/types-of-mango-king-of-fruit-t63658.html

Planting:
The following were germinated in shallow water covered with damp tissue for 2 days prior to planting.

x2 trays of cow pea (nutritional facts: http://caloriecount.about.com/calories-cowpeas-leafy-tips-i11780)
x1 tray mung bean
x1 tray chick pea

Mycelium

Make Your Own Bokashi

Bokashi Experiment

I like whats going on here:

http://bokashiworld.wordpress.com/2013/03/09/vins-bokashi-experiment-in-florida-perfectly-simple/

Obviously a nicer looking container could be used.

EM (Effective Microorganisms)

Interesting Essay:

http://www.livingsoil.co.uk/learning/soilsustain.htm

EM Products at Living Soil:

http://www.livingsoil.co.uk/products/EM_kyusei_supplies.html

Eco Build at ExCel - HP LED

Just seen some amazing industrial LED lights. For the equivalent of 42 Watts, the output was insane. Perfect for growing. Need to do more research on these guys:

HOLD PIPE LED

Bokashi Bins

Useful info:

Bokashi Composting HQ:
http://www.bokashicompostinghq.com/

Bokashi World:
http://bokashiworld.wordpress.com/

Some Suppliers:

GrowingLife:
http://www.growing-life.com/cgi-bin/sh000002.pl?REFPAGE=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2egrowing%2dlife%2ecom%2f&WD=bokashi&PN=Home_Composting_Bokashi_%2ehtml%23a644#a644
Wiggly Wigglers:
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/composting/bokashi.html
Green Gardener:
http://www.greengardener.co.uk/product.asp?id_pc=19&cat=31
Bokashi Direct:

http://www.bokashidirect.co.uk/

Original Organics:

http://www.originalorganics.co.uk/bokashi.htm

Equipment to make my own:

Solent Plastics:
http://solentplastics.co.uk/industrial-business-storage-boxes/
Preparing Wisely:
http://preparingwisely.com/buckets_and_lids
APM:
http://www.apm-supplies.co.uk/airtight-bucket-p-2555.html
Plastor:
http://www.plastor.co.uk/category/catalog/food-handling-containers/re-sealable-food-grade-buckets

1 Liter = 0.219969248 Gallon [UK]

Sprouting

At the moment, Im experimenting with sprouting different seeds and pulses. 

I bought them from an Indian Supermarket on Brick Lane. Super cheap when you consider how much space they take up once they've sprouted. In the containers I have a mix of:

Whole Green Peas

Whole Yellow Peas

Chick Peas

Cow Peas - Vigna unguiculata

Moth Beans

Mung Beans

Mung Dal Yellow

Green Lentils

Peanut Kernels

Process started evening 01/03/13. Above photo today.

When visiting Yunnan, China, towards the end of 2012, I was struck by the wide variety of greens available with their dishes. Many types of climbers/ bean plants etc...Over here we grow bean plants for the beans, but if we were growing them for the stalk and leaves, they could be harvested regularly, while they are still young and there could be a rotation system to keep me supplied with regular greenery. They tasted amazing... Need to be careful though, because some are TOXIC! Useful info here:

legumes:

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proceedings1990/v1-391.html

Really useful:

"Unfortunately leaves often contain toxic substances. The chief toxins are hydrocyanic glycosides, oxalic acid and alkaloids. The toxic as well as the edible properties of leaves are already fairly well known, and no harm should result if the species is known and leaves are eaten in moderate quantities. Interestingly enough, the oxalic acid content of spinach makes it one of the least desirable of the edible leaves."

http://www.appropedia.org/Edible_leaves

chick peas:

"Overall, chickpea leaves were found to be a good source of several minerals required by humans, and for most minerals, their levels significantly exceeded those previously reported for spinach and cabbage."

http://www.ars.usda.gov/research/publications/publications.htm?seq_no_115=138151

Conditions for Growth

Ive set up this blog to document my thoughts, research and experiments. It has occurred to me in recent months that many of the ideas concerning how ide like to live are, just that, ideas, seeds without the right conditions to grow. Furthermore, they are subject to that which isn’t real, the future. My aim is to integrate them into daily life. Metaphorically and quite literally, it all starts with the seed. That just leaves me with the question: what conditions do they need to grow…

General Links:

Nutrients/Vitamin/Minerals:

http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/food-composition/individual-macronutrients-phytonutrients-vitamins-minerals/vitamins-minerals