Algae as a fertiliser? (forum)

amanda starts with ...
Hi forumites..I was hoping someone may have some knowledge to share about using blue-green algae as a fertiliser? I vaguely remember that they are nitrogen fixers?
I don't get mozzies here and as I can grow it for free...I was hoping it may be a useful fert?
Any experience with this? I have a brew ready to go (by accident not design! :)
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Time: 25th July 2010 3:26pm

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About the Author amanda19
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allybanana says...
Im not even sure if that is blue green algae it looks like a type of green algae to me. However, i would still throw it on the tree roots rather than the leafy salad greens

Time: 25th July 2010 9:55pm

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Pauline says...
I would chuck it into your compost heap or worm farm rather than straight onto your plants, just to avoid nitrogen draw back as it decomposes.

Time: 26th July 2010 12:08am

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amanda says...
I have done some research on the net and found heaps of info that was really interesting... it also appears to have growth promoting abilities..it may even run your car (far into the future..) it's actually not a new concept - growing rice depends on it.

I was just curious to see if anyone had a "method" or such...

Anyway - here is a brief link that some may find interesting:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/g8u4jvthmuhjbw9e/
http://www.springerlink.com/content/p7265q8587841437/

Time: 26th July 2010 12:38am

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Original Post was last edited: 26th July 2010 9:46am

About the Author amanda19
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Julie says...
amanda, I grow azolla in my pond, which I think is a sort of algae - could be wrong. I scoop it up with a leaf rake and use it as mulch. I believe it collects nitrogen, whether from the air or the water I can't remember. But it keeps on coming - for free as you said.

How did you get the algae in the first place?

Time: 26th July 2010 6:48pm

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About the Author Julie
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amanda says...
hi Julie - thanks! one of the links talks about azolla being an N fixer too. Jackie French says (in her book Soil Food - just got 2day!) that azolla can produce 300kg of nitrogen per yr per hectare (lupins 160kg) !!

My algae grew in the water chestnut bath...chances are it will do the job as it's surviving on nothing..anyway - got the low-down from the book now :)

Where did u get the azolla from Julie?

(PS - where is Speedy when we need him?!)


Time: 26th July 2010 7:57pm

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Original Post was last edited: 26th July 2010 8:11pm

About the Author amanda19
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Julie says...
I got it from a friend with a pond, same as the little pygmy perch I got to eat the mozzie larva. Some people see it as a nuisance as it grows so fast, especially in summer. I just see it as free nutritious mulch!

I could possibly send you some in a plastic bag. Might be fiddly to harvest among water chestnuts.

Time: 27th July 2010 7:20pm

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About the Author Julie
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amanda says...
Hey Julie - I would be extremely grateful for some if it's ok? I will send u an email and some stamps too if u like!?
I gave up on the water chestnuts here...it was a bit fiddly for me as the water evaporated so fast in summer.

Anyway - I will get in touch.

Time: 27th July 2010 7:41pm

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amanda says...
Hello Julie - does the azolla have any special needs? I scored some from the local pet store and have popped it in a bocket of rain water with a dash of seasol at this stage. Does it take full sun?
Thanks - and thanks for your kind offer also.

Time: 29th July 2010 12:45pm

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Julie says...
Well, if it does have special needs I certainly don't know about them! Don't do anything to my pond, it's a bit neglected. I do have oxygenators growing in pots on the bottom - Valisneris spiralis (eel grass or ribbon weed). Keeps it fairly clear.

But I don't think the azolla needs this. Yes, it takes full sun. In part shade (mine is under 50% shadecloth) it stays green. In full sun it turns reddish.

Time: 29th July 2010 6:03pm

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About the Author Julie
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amanda says...
Thanks Julie - I feel like I have re-discovered the wheel with this stuff!? :))) Makes me wonder about all the other things I have yet to discover...

Here is a basic link for anyone interested - there is a stack more on the net.

http://doing-it-naturally.blogspot.com/2010/01/azolla-wonder-plant-for-home-garden.html

Time: 29th July 2010 7:01pm

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