Kelp and Kelp Tea
It doesn’t matter if you’re growing cannabis, hemp, petunias, or garlic. This is something ALL gardeners need to know. Today’s topic is kelp. What is it? Where does it come from? How exactly do you use it?
So, what is kelp?
Kelp is a marine plant of the seaweed variety. There are many different types of kelp. Many of them will have slightly different nutrient properties, but all of them will be beneficial to your plants. Kelp contains a small amount of macro nutrients, such as nitrogen and potassium. But, also contains many micro nutrients and vitamins beneficial to plant growth, such as calcium, iron, vitamin C, and more!
Kelp can be used as a soil amendment, a foliar spray, or a tea for almost all garden and house plants. Not to mention, a great addition to any cannabis or hemp nutrient program. There are many nutrient lines and supplements that use kelp as a key ingredient. However, at Vermont Grow Coaching, we’ve found that the store bought kelp products in liquid form, are lacking potency and bioavailability in comparison to using a product such as kelp meal or making your own tea.
Kelp Meal
Kelp meal is kelp that has been dried and ground into a powder form. You have the ability to use kelp meal in many different ways. You can mix it directly with your soil prior to planting. You can top dress your soil throughout your grow. You can make foliar sprays. Or, and this is our preference, you can use it to make teas. When top dressing or mixing directly with your soil, Vermont Grow Coaching usually suggests about 2 tablespoons per gallon of soil.
Kelp Teas
For teas, this can be done one of two ways. At Vermont Grow Coaching, we love to make a basic kelp tea.
For a Basic Kelp Tea:
- Add 1 cup of kelp meal to a 5 gallon water jug.
- Add about 4.5 gallons of water and place an air stone in the water for agitation, just like you would a compost tea. (Make sure you are using a powerful enough air pump, to prevent stagnant and mold issues)
- Allow the mixture to set for 48 to 72 hours and then apply as a soil drench. You can even use it to dip seeds and cuttings for a mild nutrient and vitamin boost. Foliar sprays can be made by diluting the tea recipe 1:1 with water. This will help disperse the kelp particles and prevent your nozzles from clogging.
As for the other method of kelp tea, you won’t find Vermont Grow Coaching making it often, but there is a time and place for everything. This tea method, does not contain the same amount of live beneficial bacteria and microbes as the first method, but is great for time saving.
The Quick Tea Method
For a Quick Kelp Tea:
- Start by taking 1/2 cup of kelp meal and 3/4 cup of water. Place them in a jar and seal the contents.
- Put the jar in a cool dark place for roughly 8 to 12 hours.
- Now empty the kelp meal, which should now be swelled from the water, into a blender or food processor. Pulsate the food processor until the kelp has become a paste.
- Store the paste in a jar in a paper bag in the fridge. The paste will last for 6 months or more without issue if properly stored.
- When you are ready to make the tea, take 2 tablespoons of the paste and vigorously mix it with 1 gallon of water.
- This too can be applied directly to your soil, or as a foliar spray. (If using as a foliar spray, there is no need to dilute as there is with our preferred method)
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to contact us or check out our pricing page. We offer an array of services, from virtual consultations to harvesting assistance, and even how to make feminized seeds! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram or contact us directly at (802)342-5381 or Service@VermontGrowCoach.com At Vermont Grow Coaching LLC, service is our commitment and plants are our business.
Vermont Grow Coaching LLC
(802)342-5381
Pittsford, VT 05763
Service@VermontGrowCoach.com
Disclaimer: Please note that this article is the opinion of Vermont Grow Coaching LLC and should only be viewed as such. Vermont Grow Coaching LLC takes no responsibility for any damages, or legal concerns regarding the cloning or cultivation of Cannabis. The responsibility to ensure operation within governing law, is placed solely on the person or entity that chooses to cultivate Cannabis. Be smart and remember to keep it legal with your local and state governments.
