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~ Your planting partner

OptiGrow

Author Archives: Nicholas

Optigrow Optimix

09 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by Nicholas in Products & Services

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Tags

compost, Lowveld, Nelspruit, OptiGrow, optimix, organic compost

Optimix is a worm casting/compost blend, purposely mixed to your
individual requirements. Additional additives can also be included
to meet your needs.

Ideally suited for nursery mixes or raised bed mixes.

Please contact us today for more information on Optimix.

All about Topdressing.

09 Monday Apr 2018

Posted by Nicholas in Articles

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Tags

Grass, Lawn, Lowveld, Nelspruit, opticast, OptiGrow, topdressing

We have a fantastic article planned for you, all about topdressing.

The components of soil, common problems and issues, how to topdress and what topdressing material is right for you.

Watch this space, its coming soon.

Planting Macadamia trees.

12 Tuesday Dec 2017

Posted by Nicholas in Articles, literature

≈ Comments Off on Planting Macadamia trees.

Tags

Macadamias, planting, Rehabilitation

Here at Optigrow we understand that, happy roots = happy fruits… or nuts.

That is why soil preparation prior to planting is so important to us.

It’s common practice to plant first and feed and irrigate second.
There are many benefits to considering soil preparation prior to planting.

Not just from a plant health point of view but cost wise too.

Soil is the environment that supports plants and as we all know as farmers a well fed and stress free plant is a happy plant.

Simple steps can be taken to prepare for planting.
The earlier the better, but any preparation in advance is better than none.
Soil preparation cost per tree is a fraction of what that tree costs, therefore as an investment, it makes complete financial sense to cover this extremely important factor.

Preparation inside the plant hole is also extremely beneficial vs just building soil from the surface down.

Optigrow produces earths oldest and best soil rehabilitator and conditioner.
We suggest using vermicast in soil preparation as it seeds in all the plant beneficial micro and macro organisms, hormones, micro fungi and plant available nutrient needed to establish a healthy substrate for young developing plants.

Young plants are very susceptible to peaks and troughs in the availability of moisture and nutrient, PH and chemical imbalance in soil due to pesticide use.

Freshly prepared soil is often deep ripped, disturbing and displacing microbe colonies plants rely on for healthy growth.

Commercial farming relies on high yields and quality crops at harvest.
With this in mind after years of investment, the early formative years of trees are essential in achieving this goal.
Healthy root development in young years is first priority and soil health goes hand in hand with this.

Land preparation and planning takes time.
Once plant locations are planned and marked it is advised to begin soil prep at each planting location thereby ensuring established soil health when your investment goes into the ground.
Your trees have a better chance of “taking” in healthier soil, and that alone can offset costs of your soil preparation, not to mention the time, effort and labour to replace dead trees.

But im busy, why soil prep in the hole?
Why not just apply castings on the surface around your trees?
The short answer to this is best effect for your financial investment in soil preparation. The second is time.
Vermicast in the plant hole surrounds the roots supporting them exactly where it is needed.
Microbial colonies then populate outwards in all directions preceding and pioneering ahead of roots. With a surface application, the root supporting components of vermicast work downward towards the roots and then outwards, which takes time. Both support root development and your tree, however soil preparation in advance benefits the tree right from the start and in all the right places.

Investment in macadamias is a wise investment but with any investment it is best to do so carefully. Planning for the healthy support of your trees from young to bearing age is exceptionally important.

Ensuring that the organic function of soil is optimised means that from the start your structural, chemical and biological components of soil are in place and ready to work hand in hand with the chemicals and pesticides you use, keeping your root zones healthy and balanced.

To discuss how we can help you today or for more information on Opti-cast and what we do, please feel free to give us a call.

Nicholas and the Optigrow team.

Optigrows’ post #CCC2017 summary.

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by Nicholas in Events

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Tags

CCC

The first ever Clinical Cannabis Convention in South Africa went off as a roaring success to the cheers and whoops of a hall packed with people inspired and motivated to see social perceptions and legislation change around this diverse plant.

I wide spectrum of people attended, medical professionals, people suffering from chronic illness, caregivers and people interested in the prospects of readopting cannabis or industrial hemp back into the market place.

Each talk was equally fascinating covering the plant itself, then the clinical components of the plant and how they interact with our bodies. Interactions with other medication and the inclusion of cannabanoids into other existing therapies, cancer, HIV, chemotherapy and opioid addiction.

A talk by the “Dagga Couple” and their legal team, surrounding the case, was very interesting as it is a story I am aware of, but like many South Africans, am not particularly versed in.

Finally we took a look at International and South African drug enforcement policy.
Its proposed purpous, its current implementation and its actual effects on society as a whole.

I think the biggest shocker to all attending was the research covering comparison of personal and societal risk regarding Cannabis vs Alcohol. A damning statement that current drug enforcement policy is not driven by doctors and research or created with peoples welfare truly at its core.

I encourage all to watch these videos.
From the staunch anti-drug protester, law enforcement, the medical community and us average Joe’s at home.

I look forward to the next convention.
As I hope and trust this industry moves out of the shadows, I look forward to more information on the proposed and projected changes in legislation, particularly with regards to registration and the growth, processing and sale of medical cannabis.

To quote the old adage, “knowledge is power”, and in this case it truly is.
I encourage us all to look through our preconceptions of this plant and see what benefits it can provide for our family, friends and our society at large.

Click here for the complete Youtube playlist.

#ccc2017 #ccc #fieldsofgreenforall #daggacouple

Optigrow joins Clinical Cannabis Convention – 5 Aug 2017 Wits Uni.

04 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by Nicholas in Events, News

≈ Comments Off on Optigrow joins Clinical Cannabis Convention – 5 Aug 2017 Wits Uni.

Tags

Cannabis, Clinical cannabis convention, Wits uni

IMG_20170804_071832Optigrow will be joining the Clinical Cannabis Convention on the 5th August 2017 at The Linder Auditorium, Education Campus, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Optigrow specialises in organic soil optimisation in agriculture and we look forward to meeting you, those interested in the future of Cannabis in South Africa, the growing movement to responsibly reintroduce cannabis back into the medical community.

Keep an eye out for the bright green “O”, we are Optigrow

https://fieldsofgreenforall.org.za/clinical-cannabis-convention/

#Vermicast #wormcastings #fieldsofgreenforall #cannabis
#clinicalcannabisconvention #SAMA

BBC interview Jan 2017 a perfect start to the year and launch for Optigrow.

23 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by Nicholas in News

≈ Comments Off on BBC interview Jan 2017 a perfect start to the year and launch for Optigrow.

2016 was an exciting year.
With growth and the development of fresh opportunities.

Davley Organics farm 1 has successfully expanded production to assist and support our growing client base, with Davley Organics farm 2 having done the same and diversifying into veg production and a small nursery.

It is with great pleasure that we announce a fresh new direction to encompass our plans for growth and expansion in 2017.

With the years of hard work and growth, Farms 1 and 2 under David and myself, continue our goal of greening the planet one handful at a time, Farms 1 and 2 continue vermicast production under the Davley Organics brand, but 2017 bring a fresh new face, we are pleased to announce the birth of OptiGrow – Your planting partner.

optigrow-your-planting-partnerThe Optigrow brand forms to encompass the new projects and directions of farm 2 and its continued growth.

With the successful growth of its vegetable production, focusing on Garlic and our new nursery that we plan to develop.

We are excited as we venture into 2017 being able to serve and support our customers in new ways.

We encourage you to like our new Facebook page here and follow our new sister, or brother, webpage to stick with us on our journey.

img_20161012_114828-smallOur BBC Interview brought 2016 to a positive end helping us spread our message across South Africa and hopefully the world.

Click here to take a look.

Wishing all of you a very happy and fulfilling new year.

Nicholas and the team.

crop-small

Opticast Earthworm Castings.

19 Thursday Jan 2017

Posted by Nicholas in Products & Services

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Tags

Castings, earthworm castings, Lowveld, Nelspruit, opticast, OptiGrow, Vermicast

soil with grass

Earthworm castings are a thick black natural compound produced by earthworms.

It is the fundamental component of natures soil building process.

Castings harbour all the components neccessarry for plants to thrive and for soil to build and develop into a physically, chemically and biologically healthy growth medium.

Vermiculture is an organic technique that goes hand in hand with modern chemical agricultural techniques, it is the health of soil that ensures that chemical application to soil can optimally function.

Worm castings are natures soil builders and naturally occurs in healthy soil. The health of your soil from healthy to poor depends on the quantity of vermicast within your soil and your soils ability to sustainable create more.

wcCan castings help me?

If you answer yes to any of the following, then yes castings can help you!

  • If you wish to conserve or save water.
  • If you have done earth-moving.
  • If you are clearing and preparing land for planting.
  • If you have high chemical inputs with limited results or wish to optimise your results.
  • If you wish to reduce chemical leach away.
  • Remedy soil toxicity issues or chemical imbalance.
  • If you wish to repair the physical structure of your soil and reduce soil erosion.
  • If you suffer from pest or fungal infestations.
  • If you want to boost plant growth.
  • If you want to increase yield

Click here to see our literature section for current pricing and application information.

Worm tea and vermi-leachate.

18 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by Nicholas in Products & Services

≈ Comments Off on Worm tea and vermi-leachate.

worm-tea

Vermi leachate is the slow and gentle percolation of water though worm castings where as worm tea is produced by soaking worm castings in oxygenated, de-chlorinated water.

Call us today to discuss supply or if you are interested in purchasing one of our percolation units to brew your own tea, a highly beneficial and cost effective additive or fertigation solution.

Agricultural and commercial literature.

18 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by Nicholas in literature

≈ Comments Off on Agricultural and commercial literature.

Tags

agricultural, commercial, literature

agri-com

Here at Optigrow / Davley Vermicast we strive to make the scientific data, reports and articles as digestible as possible.

We know our farmers and commercial users are busy and always on the move, so if you don’t have the time to peruse our site, please find below links to all the most pertinent documentation to download and read when you have the time.

We start with the basics, going through to the longer and more comprehensive scientific data.

We endeavour to offer our farmers the best price possible. As price is volume driven call us today to discuss how much you can save on your bulk order.

The benefits of soil rehabilitation are extensive and we want to work with you optimising your soil. Optigrow, your planting partner.

PDF_Logo - icon Planting Guide – Agriculture

PDF_Logo - icon Optigrow Opti-Cast – Your complete guide.

PDF_Logo - icon Opti-Feed percolation – Your guide for nutrient and microbial fertigation.

 

Opti-cast – Your complete guide.

17 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by Nicholas in literature

≈ Comments Off on Opti-cast – Your complete guide.

Optigrow produces the oldest and most successful compound used in fertilisation and soil remediation in history.

Over 50 years of research show how effective this compound is and it can be found in all the healthiest soil ecosystems on our planet.

It is a compound that physically, chemically and biologically stabilises soil, stimulates further plant growth even when plants are already receiving optimal nutrition.

Includes plant-growth regulators which increase growth and yield.

Consistently improves seed germination, enhances seedling development and growth, and increases plant productivity.

It has been proven to effectively control or regulate, pests, fungus, disease, soil toxicity and chemical imbalance.

It is a compound that exists in all healthy soil and if you as a farmer, are suffering from an unhealthy soil, your soil in all likelihood, is missing it.

So who are we and what is this compound I am talking about.

 Optigrow produces Opti-cast, also commonly known as earth worms castings.

We produce primarily for Mpumalanga’s fruit, nut and veg industries.

 

So what exactly is worm castings?

Vermicast is a thick black compound produced by earthworms,

a living fertiliser and soil rehabilitator that is highly microbially active.

It  makes available nutrient more plant available, microbial activity makes minerals and micro nutrients otherwise locked away in mineral sand, soluble, making them available to plants.

The microbial activity and physical structure of vermicast stabilizes chemicals and minerals within the substrate keeping nutrient available more consistently and for longer and  helps stabilize moisture levels in soil leading to reduced drain away.

soil-test

Castings work in a multi faceted approach.

It is a natural process that supports all the elements plants and trees need for sustained healthy growth, encompassing

  • Physical property.
  • Chemical state.
  • Biological activity.

With these three in check, trees and plants have the best environment for healthy growth.

Optigrow works with farmers like you to restore your struggling soil, to reintroduce the missing puzzle piece that modern agriculture is only now realising it has lost, to decrease chemical fertiliser costs, increase yield, increase quality and control disease and pests.

We aim to help rebuild your soil by the reintroduction of organic methods, integrating into and working with your current chemical fertilisation schedules to better the results you aim to achieve.

And all this we endeavor to do within your current budget.

soil

What is soil?

Soil is certainly not simply a sterile growth medium.

It is a complex web of mutualistic and symbiotic interaction, complex relationships between plants and animals both big and microscopic.

It is the backbone of our food system; your greatest asset and greatest resource.

It is comprised of two main components, mineral sand  and  organic matter, but that is not the whole picture.

In order to support plants, soil health is based on three components.

It’s that Physical, Chemical and Biological structure.

The three structures within soil that worm castings work to naturally repair.

The Physical structure of soil is what holds moisture in place so that roots don’t  become either too dry or to wet. Holds chemicals in place so they are available to plants without being washed away.

Chemical structure is having a readily available supply of all the nutrient plants need to grow and thrive, but most importantly in plant available formats that plants can readily absorb.

And finally the biological structure of soil.
Probably the most important component in soil. It is the microbial activity within soil that works on the chemical fertiliser we add, the nutrient and micronutrient, to convert it into the plant available formats plants require.

nitrifying bacteriacfans_asset_249211

Earthworms do not create nutrient they simple refine it from their food source and convert it into a format that is the most efficient form for plants to take up.

During the process  organic matter passes through the worm’s gut, it undergoes physio-chemical and biochemical changes by the combined effect of earthworm and microbial activities.

Worm castings or vermicasts, are coated with   mucopolysaccharides and enriched with nutrients.

The biota introduced to the soil in vermicast or leachate (worm tea) can work away out of sight, releasing the minerals that are already there.

Worm castings can be as much as 1000 times as microbially active as conventional compost, with compost being higher in ammonium, while castings are higher in nitrates, which is the more plant-available form of nitrogen.

With the introduction of castings and its biota, supply rate of nutrients like  P, K, S and Mg, are increased.

Earth worm castings are an excellent media for harbouring N-fixing bacteria, also trapping free nitrogen from the atmosphere.

Nitrogen fixation is a process by which relatively inert  atmospheric molecular nitrogen (N2) is converted into ammonium (NH4+) freeing up the nitrogen atoms to be used in other ways for in the case of castings, to be converted to nitrates.

As farmers all know, this is essential because nitrogen is required to create the basic building blocks of plants, therefore  essential for agriculture.

Earthworms directly cycle this nitrogen by excretion in their casts, urine and mucoprotein and nitrifying and nitrogen fixing microbes are all found established in worm casts.

Several valuable compounds are also produced through the earthworm  and microfloral interaction, which included vitamins such as B12 and plant growth hormones (gibberellins).

Cationic

Cationic exchange is important in your soil, but what is it.

Trace elements are attracted to worm castings and readily bond to it in the same way that opposite poles of a magnet attract each other.

Everything in nature has an electrical charge. Some charges are positive, cations, and some are negative, anions. Organic vegetative matter is anionic and, because worm castings are highly vegetative matter, it is strongly anionic. Most trace elements are cationic.

Earth worm castings act like a sponge using their charge to hold trace elements in place increasing bio availability of that nutrient for when plants need it.

Plants have a stronger pull than the worm castings and can therefore draw the trace elements away from the castings and into their roots.

 Pythium  Sphaerotheca fulginae - Copy

There are extensive studies regarding disease attacks on crops.

Results consistently show with small applications of castings, the incidence of disease is significantly suppressed.

(by Pythium on cucumbers, Rhizoctonia on radishes, and by Verticillium on strawberries and Phomopsis and Sphaerotheca fulginae on grapes in the field.)

Earthworm movements act to disperse not only microorganisms important in food production but also root symbiots that form mutualistic  associations between  fungus and the roots of a vascular plant.

In addition microbial antagonists of plant pathogens and pest microorganisms are also dispersed, microbes that eat or destroy other plant pathogens or pest microorganisms.

Phytophthora nicotiniae sclerotinia sclerotium fusarium oxysporum

Researchers have found that instances of fungus can be controlled with the use of worm castings.

Studies showed a generous application of earth worm castings were required but clear improvement showed in less than 30 days.

Worm castings have been found very effective in combating Phytophthora in macadamias.

(Phytophthora nicotiniae, fusarium oxysporum, sclerotinia sclerotium, and sclerotum cepivorum,)

Chitinase-1CNSBathycoelia natalicola

So what about those pesky insects and how do worm castings effect them.

Chitin is a compound that makes up the main component of the exoskeleton of insects.
Chitinase is the naturally occurring enzyme that breaks chitin down into chitosan.

Worm castings contain enzymes known as various forms of chitinase of which insects have a strong aversion.

Worm castings activate multiplication of the chitinase-producing bacteria found naturally in plants.

The natural level of chitinase found in most plants is not sufficient to repel insects.

The level of chitinase is multiplied to a repulsion level with the use of worm castings.

When the chitinase concentration is low, insects are not repelled.

The increase in the chitinase level on small plants to a level sufficient to repel small insects occurs in a few weeks. The increase in the level of chitinase in large plants sufficient to repel the insects takes longer.

To better demonstrate.
The level of the chitinase enzyme for effective repellence is in the range of 1 million cfu/gdw (Colony Forming Units/ gram dry weight).

Worm castings level of the chitinase enzyme production shows concentrations of chitinase in the range of 54 million CFU/gdw.

This is concentration is over 50 times the estimated level for repellence and the likely reason why ants refuse to cross a layer of worm castings.

Castings can effectively repel insects that feed on the internal liquid of various plants.

These include a large array of insect pests including white fly, aphids, spider mites, fruit flies, and other nectar-sucking insects.

Studies with white fly infested hibiscus plants treated with worm castings were free of all white fly residue and cocoons In about two months.

White flies from neighbouring plants, which had not been treated, would fly around the treated leaves but not land on these leaves.

heavy metals

Other issues farmers face with soil degradation is the issues of soil toxicity and chemical imbalance caused by fertiliser and pesticide use in the absence of healthy ongoing soil management.

Earthworms have been found to be a viable method of removing toxins from soils and enhance the remediation of agricultural lands polluted by chemicals the likes of say.. DDT.

 

Earthworms can live in highly contaminated soils.

They are generally  tolerant to many chemical contaminants including heavy metals and organic pollutants in soil and can bio-accumulate them in their tissues.

Earthworms species like Eisenia fetida have been found to through the use of a special detoxifying layer in their gut and specific metal binding proteins,   remove and isolate toxic heavy metals such as (Cu, Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn, etc.) and also lipophilic organic micropollutants from soil.

Chemical contaminants are absorbed through their moist body walls  and  mouth and are either bio-transformed or biodegrade , rendering them harmless in their bodies.

This makes earthworms perfect for soil remediation in both agricultural and industrial settings.

sa agricultureDue to high chemical costs in india, there has been a large move to farming with earth worm castings.

In turn a lot of data has emerged and studies in India have consistently shown water reduced for irrigation as worm castings over successive years improved the ‘moisture holding capacity’ of soil.

PEST attack reduced – by at least 75% in crops applied with castings.

Cauliflowers 95% ‘disease free

Bananas –  Late Blight (fungal disease) reduced by over 95%.

Reduced termite attack

Weeds Reduced

Seed germination occurred at a faster rate with rapid seedlings growth and development.

An increase in yield

Greater numbers of fruits per plant (in vegetable crops)

Greater numbers of seeds per ear (in cereal crops), larger, heavier and better quality .

Flower production (commercial floriculture) was increased by 30-50%

Flower blooms were more colorful and bigger in size.

Better quality and taste of Fruits and vegetables

Longer shelf life over twice that of the control.

 

In the United States.

A 13 year Iowa State University study farming strawberries found:

Healthier berries and soils

Improved pollination success

No need for pesticides to maintain crop yields.

 

In South Africa

A Free State Commercial Apple Farmer found using vermicast and tea in its apple production system

Improved fruit quality

Reduced input costs

Improved the soil and tree health in orchards.

Earthworm activity evolved mineral soil into rich healthy soil with the earthworms managing the environment.

One-third reduction in irrigation water.

Increase in root growth

This increased nutrient uptake has resulted in healthier, stronger apple trees.

Incorporating earthworms has increased yields 15 to 25 t/ha depending on variety.

 

A changing in international export regulations, specifically for chemical residue levels and a shrinking list of usable chemicals drove their search for alternative techniques.

So where to start?

The best way to get started is to arrange a consultation so we can discuss your needs, your infrastructure and appropriate method of application.

Implementing Opti-cast and using it in conjunction with your current chemical regime, unlike using chemical fertilisers alone is a specific process with a specific goal in mind.

Time scale wise we advise planning for 1 to 3 years of worm casting application, twice annually,  depending on your existing soil environment and working towards a regeneration of your soil.

Our  aim if for an ongoing working relationship with our farmers to get their soil to optimum condition and keep it there, we encourage our farmers to include a high quality compost in their feeding schedule, if they would like to take advantage of the added benefit of baby worms and cocoons in Optigrow Opti-cast.

Results are commonly seen very quickly and ongoingly.

In time you will see the levels of chemical fertilisers required reduce until a point where worm casting application can be scaled right back and chemical application can remain greatly reduced.

Thereafter a schedule of composting can be used to maintain your soil with worm castings being applied in problem areas.

This equates to a huge potential cost saving to farmers in the long run.

As with all things, organic soil restoration is a process, but with fantastic benefits.

 

Application

For best results, we advise and application of 2l of Opti-cast to established trees, twice a year.

1L for established small trees and shrubs, twice a year.

100 ml – 250 ml for seedlings on planting, snugly around the root base.

 

We do however advise 2L when planting new trees.
The reason for this being that it is the most opportune time to get earth worm castings at and in contact with the root base of the tree, having the ability to have its maximum benefit.

Young trees are at their most vulnerable and castings at the root base will work towards supporting it and giving it a strong healthy start.

Worm castings is a powder, but can be applied in two ways.

Applied manually in its powdered form or used to produce Opti-feed, a vermileachate or worm tea that can be sprayed or incorporated into a fertigation system.

Manual application is simple enough, applying in the case of a sprayer or dripper between the spray/drip head and the base of the tree.

Vermileachate can easily be percolated in tanks, aerated and delivered through a fertigation system, manual sprayer or crop sprayer.

Foliar feeding is highly beneficial both for nutrient and pest resistance benefits.

 

Opti-cast is supplied by the cubic meter in 40dm bags (40l).

Per cube this equates to 500 trees, 1000 shrubs or 4 000 to 10 000 seedlings.

Using this you can calculate your cost per block or hectare.

As this is a compound that starts the regenerative process immediately, application can start at a farmers earliest convenience, where after it can be incorporated into your existing schedule.

We look forward to working with you towards a healthier and more consistent soil environment.

Reduced stress in your plants with stronger structural growth and root systems.

And of course a longer yield period with larger, healthier, higher grade crops.

 

Call us today to make an apointment.

 

 

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