Guest guest Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 In yesterdays post we considered how life forces of nature are harnessed in compost. In todays post we see other additions in brief. Members interested in detailed descriptions can contact the author off-list. The Plant between the Sun and the Earth There are also two preparations used for balancing the plant's growth between the sun and the earth. One preparation is applied to the soil, helping the plants develop deeper roots and activating the micro-organisms in the soil. The other helps the plants improve light absorption, ripening and ultimately reconnecting to finer cosmic forces, which are important for the plants' medicinal and nutritive values. Silica is applied to the part of the plant you wish to harvest when it is forming. The other, a humic compound, is applied to the soil. The first is applied very early in the morning, at dawn when the sun is rising, or `breathing out,' which coincides with the rising of the plant's sap towards the tips. The latter is applied when the sun is setting, or `breathing in,' and the plant's sap and activity is drawing back to its roots. Thus, they are connected to the rhythm of the day. In fact, these two preparations are also made in connection with the rhythm of the year: Silica is produced in the summer, and Humus in the winter. We are aware how homeopathic medications are prepared by increasing their potency. In the same manner Silica preparation is handled while adding to the plant. The principles are similar to the way ayurveda recommends making `Anshodaka'. For brevity, details of applications are omitted from the post. Interested members contact off-list. The stirring required for application, when done in a group of people, can also be looked at as an exercise for developing will and concentration, even meditation. The Silica preparation is stirred in the same fashion but sprayed as a fine mist on the foliage in the early morning. The process to which they are subjected and the way of stirring results in a product possessing a concentration similar to a homeopathic remedy, which is required in very small amounts. So, 50 grams of silica preparation and just 2 grams humic compound are sufficient for one acre. These preparations help adjust the environment, making it more suitable for the plant. If, for instance, one does not have the ecologically optimal situation for the cultivation of a medicinal plant, these preparations are helpful in adjusting a plant's ecological needs by balancing them with more or less of the required environmental conditions, thus coming closer to its natural habitat. Silica increases the absorption of light, compensating for poor exposure to the sun in the valleys, while more silica and humus compound simulates the valleys and shaded places and enhance leaf production. For medicinal plants that require root development, conditions will vary from those where leaf is the main medicinal component. The same applies to the balance between bitter and sweet substances, oils and other active principles. Of course the appropriate location of plants, regarding shade, exposure and types of soil, has to be determined, in conjunction with the above. Optimising conditions is achieved by the adequate use of special preparations and also specific compost types. There are six more special preparation, but for the sake of brevity, author leaves them out. Pests as Indicators of Imbalances in Plant Development When the soil is healthy and fertile, so are the plants, and, generally, few if any, pests will appear. Modern scientific specialisation has failed to address this relationship between soil management and a particular problem of the soil. Instead of nitrogen fertilisers, which lead to aphids and fungus, or pesticides and fungicides, which only temporarily treat these symptoms, natural agriculture recognises the cause and looks at the way the plant is feeding in order to balance its composition. A wide variety of plant extracts are known to discourage pests as well as providing strength to a plant. For instance, a herbal brew of Artemesia repels many pests. Nettles are especially good for aphids, and Equisetum arvensis acts as a natural mild fungicide. When we do not resort to toxic chemicals for the control of pests, natural predator insects, such as ladybird beetles, green lacewings and spiders, appear. They are the indicators that the ecosystem is in balance, and they help us to reduce pest problems. Many common herbs and medicinal plants can be used in this process. Cow urine can also be used, mixed with herbal extracts, to strengthen the plant, repel pests and reduce fungus problems. Special pesticides using cow urine, neem etc was discussed in earlier post also. Most Weeds are Medicines for Soil and Humans The weeds around us reveal the health of the soil and at the same time improve its health. Weed-cover becomes more diverse as soil becomes richer and more porous. It is a symbiotic process where co- evolution takes place. Hard, dense soils are colonised naturally by hard grasses possessing powerful fibrous roots that slowly open it up, creating the environment for other weeds to develop. A variety of weeds can be established for the fine-tuning work of replenishing the soil's nutrients and other aspects important for its fertility. Instead of using herbicides, we can help by simply cutting the weeds and leaving them as mulch to recycle the absorbed elements back into the soil. By covering the bare earth with them, excess weeds will also be balanced, evaporation reduced and erosion prevented. In a series of posts, brief description of some of the practices and principles of the natural method was provided. We have only barely scratched the surface of this complex agricultural practice and its understanding. The root of many incurable diseases and low-strength- medical-herbs is the chemical environmnet brought in by incorrect farming methods. The matter discussed in the series of posts is being summarised as: 1. On the ideas discussed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1924, natural method of agriculture evolved which seeks to actively work with the health-giving forces of nature. It is the oldest non- chemical agricultural movement, predating the organic agriculture movement by some twenty years and now spreading throughout the world. Many tribals in India know these techniques from generations. 2. Healthy, well-structured soil, rich in humus and high in biological activity is a prerequisite for any sustainable agricultural system. The experience has shown that these soil qualities can be promoted and degradation reversed by the correct application of natural techniques. 3. Natural practitioners seek to understand and work with the life processes as well as enhance their understanding of the mineral processes used in conventional agriculture. 4. Healthy soil is a prime basis for healthy plants, animals and people. Natural farming practices are of an organic nature, not relying on bringing artificial fertilisers on to the farm, although some organic or natural mineral fertiliser may be necessary during the establishment phase. We seek instead to enhance the soils structure and nutrient cycles as well as plant growth and development with the use of specific Preparations which are made from farm- sourced materials. These are used in conjunction with established agricultural practices such as composting and manuring, crop and pasture rotations, tree planting, the integrated use of livestock, etc. These Preparations are designed to work directly with the dynamic biological processes and cycles which are the basis of soil fertility. 5. Pest and disease control is generally managed by developing the farm as a total organism. However, practitioners may make use of specific products for weed and pest control, which they make from the weeds and pests themselves. Weeds and pests are very useful indicators of imbalances in soil, plants and animals; and the aim in these methods is to use such indicators in a positive way. 6. If we eliminate chemical nutrition to soil, chemical medicines to humans may also be eliminated. If soil becomes fertile so will be humans. Dr Bhate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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