Good day all, I'm new here but not new to growing. Problem. Persistent broad leaf herbicides are compounds that have been formulated by manufacturers too resist biological degradation (take years to break down even after passing through a horse or cows digestive system), a few examples are Aminopyralid, Clopyralid and Picloram. They are used in pastures and on grain crops, to keep broad leaf weeds out. I have now read about Persistent broad leaf herbicides and the damage it has done to organic vegetable gardens. There are many videos and articles about this, and the main instruction is know your source, but that is not always possible. Link with a great explanation Here is a link with an explanation of my serious concern. https://www.the-compost-gardener.com/picloram.html Here are articles published by the US composting council and one from the National Pesticide Information centre. https://old.compostingcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/USCC-PH-Fact-Sheet-2-for-web.pdf Can I use compost contaminated with clopyralid or other herbicides? My story Unfortunately before I knew about this herbicide I added a load of horse manure from a local horse rescue organisation to my compost. I asked and they do not use anything like this on their pastures, but are unsure if the farmers of their grain crops they purchase in do, as they get it from an agri co-op. I have now removed all the horse manure (Luckily it was the top layer) from my compost, but obviously some remains. I know how to do a bioassay test to test for this, but I am still seriously concerned and do not want to waste my lovely organic compost I have taken a year or more to build. That said I will now never again bring anything onto my land, even store bought bagged compost and manures can have traces of this herbicide in it. Question If these persistent herbicides unknowingly make their way into your organic compost, can they affect the growth of your cannabis in any way if you use that compost on your following seasons cannabis grow? If these herbicides are present in so called organic composts or manures will they affect my cannabis grow in any way, as I already know they affect broad leaf vegetable grows. I claim I am a 100% organic grower but bring untraceable compost or manures in, then my question is how organic am I? Hoping you have a Wonderfull day all. Regards Sideways
I would also like to know. A casual web search did not provide much insight as per cannabis. I brought in some straw from a local gardening center and started working into my compost and using as mulch before it occured to me to ask (they're a gardening center, right?), and they were unable to confirm that it was pesticide free. They gave me contact info for their supplier, who was also unable to confirm that it was safe for gardening. Now I'm suspicious. Anyhow, hope somebody pipes up with a definitive answer. Thanks for asking . . .
That “Killer Compost” is real, and it is persistent. Its a good topic for discussion. The same herbicide can be found in straw and alfalfa as well. It makes it quite challenging when shopping for clean inputs. Ive never dealt with it first hand, but its another good reason to try and craft all my own inputs when I can. Side note- check out the Berkley compost method, it takes less than 3 weeks as opposed to a season or a year. Cheers Os
Thanks for the responses Os and LoneYote LoneYote, that is exactly my issue the traceability of that material, I will have to run bioassay tests to check the completed compost year. Os, unfortunately my 3 compost piles are W10ft x L12ft x at least H5ft, way to big to turn manually regularly. I'm 60+ years old haha. So every year number1 bin has finished cooking/composting then its used, number 2 bin is moved over into number 1 area, 3 is moved over to number 2 area and the 3rd area is restarted using everything from massive amount of leaf mould, seaweed, cardboard, sticks, twigs, food scraps, coffee, citrus, you name it it goes in if its organic, this year I put in about 10 gals tomato juice. I also add a bag of soil from everywhere I go when I'm trail walking. Once a year when I start the new pile the temp can get up to 140F and it will stay there for a week or 2. Im busy designing a PVC pipe aeration system haha, but haven't got to complete it yet.
LoneYote, Correct an internet search did not answer my question, so will do some more research, when I find a viable answer re how it can effect cannabis, I will post here.
I'll probably do some testing too. Had some unexplained probs with last year's tomatoes that I mulched with said straw. Hopefully nothing because my compost pile is full of it and I rely on it for a variety of things, including vermicompost production. If I find anything definitive, will respond.
If thats your limitation, it is what it is. Good to hear you make it work for ya. It still beats buying compost with unknown ingredients. Drain tile aka “perf pipe” with a sock works slick and saves some time drilling. Most folks are in the opposite situation and trying to work with piles that are too small. Cheers Os
Os What is a Drain tile aka “perf pipe” with a sock works slick and saves some time drilling. I suspect a perf pipe is perforated pipe. When you get a chance, could you please explain how I would fabricate Drain tile aka “perf pipe” with a sock.
They sell em at any home center like Lowes or Home depot. Here is a link from Lowe’s https://www.lowes.com/pd/ADS-4-in-x-10-ft-Corrugated-Perforated-Pipe/3221925 The “sock”- the same pipe comes with a screen type black or white sock over it. Its meant to keep debris from clogging the holes. Perf pipe with a sock is probably our local slang name for it. HTH Cheers Os