From The Eunice Bulb and Blossom Garden Club
Fermented Plant Juice is a great alternative to synthetic fertilizers that disrupt soil microorganisms and contaminate water sources. It is an organic mix made from the natural fermentation of young, fast growing plant material. The process is simple, very inexpensive to make, and it will revitalize plants.
The materials needed are — a large bowl, a clean food safe gallon container, 100% cotton fabric square, a large rubber band, brown sugar, and freshly picked fast growing green plant material. Examples of good plants to use are bamboo shoots, sweet potato vines, beans, pumpkin, dandelion, strawberry, or grass. Gather the leaves or stems early in the day while the dew from the night is still on them and cut into 1- or 2-inch pieces. The leaves should be unwashed and have not had any recent rain (2-3 days) which removes beneficial microorganisms needed for the fermentation process.
Tightly pack the mixture into a food safe gallon container. Use cotton fabric and rubber band to make a lid, which allows gases to escape and keep out bugs. Place the gallon container in a dark (absolutely no light) room for 24 hours. After 24 hours the contents should have settled. Add or subtract plant matter and brown sugar to bring the contents to 2/3 full. Replace the lid.
In 5 days check the container and the fermentation process. When the fermentation process is complete the plant material will float above the liquid. The time required for fermentation is 5 to 10 days. Once fermentation is complete use a strainer to separate the liquid from the plant material. Store the liquid in a clean food safe gallon jar, loose lid and no more than 2/3 full as gases may continue to be produced.
To use Fermented Plant Juice, dilute 1/2 teaspoon of juice with ½ gallon of water. This solution can be sprayed on leaves or used as a soil drench. If spraying on leaves be sure to spray in late afternoon to prevent leaf burn from intense sun.
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