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: 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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