From: Judi Stewart (js@olympus.net)
Date: Thu Nov 28 2002 - 09:12:49 EST
Lloyd,
Suggest that the first step (1) of your test is to take a Brix reading
of
the crop you're testing, and THEN spray, and next take your second
brix readings. If I remember correctly, the plant's brix number will
rise within
say 30 minutes, to indicate whether or not the material you just sprayed
has a benefit to the plant.
In the same vein, if the brix falls, the indication is not to use that
spray on
that plant. It's my understanding that this is done as a test to
determine if the plant needs what you put in your sprayer. You can come
back and spray the plant again later trying a different solution, and
again, the brix numbers will give you an indication. It's just as though
you and the plant are in "conversation."
>From what I remember, I don't believe brix numbers following the test
remain high (or low) for an extended period of time. It takes more time
than you've given to expect plant brix to increase suddenly and
stabilize from a spritz test. And I have no doubts about our mental
state being important in our fields, gardens, and elsewhere. In the
hopes of maintaining mine, I like to think I impart good energy or vibes
in my garden and my garden returns that to me a hundred fold.
But in keeping with the topic of the science that we're interested in,
I suggest anyone interested ask these questions of Rex Harrill. He can
be reached by e-mail at: <mailto:brixman@erols.com> brixman@erols.com
and ask him exactly, "what is going on here???" I think we could all
use a touch more laughter and we've all been brushed with a little bit
of madness.
Judi
>
Hi Allan
This should sit quite ok with BD folks (its nothing more complex than us
all
praying for your foot) but it might cause some of the CT people to choke
on
their lunch
I'll describe what happens then leave you to ponder
My testing proceedure as follows
1. spray several different test bottle brews (usually four) on a square
meter of crop about 5 meters apart so no crossover effect - always spray
in
line with the seeder travel so no distortion due to seeding rate, depth,
or
fertiliser quantity (still using a little non acid starter down the
tube)
2. 30 to 45 minutes later come back to test results with refractometer
3. I do one untreated test at one end then test each plot then another
untreated at the other end of the plots, if the untreated readings are
not
reasonably consistent with one another I would probably abandon that set
and
start again. Hey I'm trying to do this properly you know!
4 . Usually there would be one or sometimes two brews with nicely
elevated
brix on the first test, so, ever sceptical, I got into the habit of
going
back to remeasure these - just checking to see that I didnt read the
instrument wrong etc.
5 . Invariably this retest would be "flat" - brix about inline with the
untreated control plot - and the more I did this the more consistently
that
was so - I got the poops with this in the end and still have in my field
notebook where I circled the results and wrote in big angry letters "
what
is going on here???" . I rang John Pannan shortly after and described it
-
like I have here - his reply, quite bemused was " what did you ring me
up
for ? you just answered the question" - this was three years ago and I
was
quite anxious about what I was doing - it wouldnt happen now. But I pay
attention to my mental state when I am doing these things and if you
hear me
chatting quietly to no one in particular as I do the refractometer tests
dont laugh ! there's a good reason for it.
So thats my bit of madness for the week !. I leave you with the best
wishes
of a fellow saggitarian for a speedy recovery of your foot.
Cheers
Lloyd Charles
.
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