Going back to the late 70′s. seaweed products were considered plant growth mineral supplements and used by growers as such..

Plant hormones were, at that time, only recently discovered and their function in plant growth not yet fully understood.  It is therefore understandable that the seaweed processes in existence back then did not consider hormonal presence in seaweed and the potential significance of these natural compounds.     

It was clearly obvious, after foliar spraying beans and roses with mechanically processsed cytoplasm of freshly harvested & processed Ecklonia kelp, that the resulting growth & flowering ‘explosion’ could not be ascribed to a fertilizer growth reaction as Ecklonia’s  N, P & K levels are rather insignificant.  It had to be a hormonal growth response.

So, where to find a hormonal analytical expert?

It turned out that a world leading expert in this field was a couple of hundred miles away, based at The University of Natal.  

Prof. Hannes van Staden was gracious and receptive to our appeal and initiated a research study which, it turned out, led to the elevation of Ecklonia kelp from being a micronutrient source to an organic hormonally active, valuable plant growth stimulant with the capabilities to significantly increase and improve crop yields. The stage was set & the course clear.

 Today, 28 years later, we know with absolute certainty that Ecklonia kelp contains high levels of natural auxin-like and cytokinin-like compounds. These natural compounds, based in a kelp-sourced micro nutrient soup, have the proven capabilities to increase and improve food production around the globe.

G’night. SP

Cambrian Biotech is all about Ecklonia maxima.  ‘Why Ecklonia’ you might ask.

Well, here is some background:

Mankind has been using seaweeds for centuries in an ever-growing variety of materials & products. Numerous industries; human & animal foods, textile, medical, paper, agricultural, chemical and cosmetics, all utilize seaweed products in one shape or another. These all benefit from the vast and varied properties and compounds present in marine algae.

At this point, it might be helpful to define seaweed and kelp.

Seaweed is grouped in three main groups, depending on color –

1.      Phaeophytes, or brown seaweed or kelps,

2.      Rhodophytes, the red seaweed group and

3.      Chlorophytes, containing all the green pigmented seaweeds.

It is mainly the brown kelp group and the red seaweed group that are exploited for its commercial value. In some areas cultivation of Chlorophytes – unicellular green algae – are underway.

One species of brown kelp, Ecklonia maxima,  a member of the Phaeophyte group grows very large on extensive reefs mainly in Southern Africa. This kelp type, in particular, is proving to be a significantly valuable, multi functional, renewable resource.

These marine plants are demanding; they require cold, nutrient rich, sediment-free (clear) ocean currents, originating in the Antarctica, in addition to a rocky coastline, which is regularly subjected to intense wave action and cross-shore wind energy.

Adapting to this harsh and nutrient-rich environment has imparted Ecklonia kelp with certain attributes not found in other members of the same Phaeophyte group.

These environmental factors have created a unique kelp type with extremely high levels of alginates (gel) which explains the rubbery nature and strength of the tissue, a wide range of trace elements, amino acids, vitamins and hormonal compounds. All these components are critical to Ecklonia’s high growth rate. Highly successful re-colonization after natural beach casting during storm conditions and/or commercial harvesting is also a critical factor.

We’ll take a closer look at the properties and applications of Ecklonia maxima, the king of kelps, tomorrow.

Thanks for visiting. SP

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A thought to share:

There are some aspects that need be considered when shipping, handling and using organic liquid concentrates such as natural fish emulsions, kelp concentrates and humates.

Unlike liquid chemical fertilizers; i.e. formulations which consist of one or a few purified chemical components, liquid organic formulations consist of a much wider spectrum of nutritional elements and organic molecules, i.e.  Vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, macro nutrients, gels and growth stimulants; a true organic ‘fertilizer soup’ one might say.

Some of these components are in true solution whereas others might be contained in a suspended form; all with varied molecular weights.

The effects of this is that such liquid organic concentrates tend to separate in layers of similar molecular weights within the bulk container after a certain shelf  period. A certain amount of sedimentation might also have occurred during a lengthy time period. To ensure a consistent product, it is therefore important to apply effective re-mixing of the bulk material prior to container filling and/or farm applications. ‘Shake, or stir well’ is a good idea.

Also, as any dairy farmer would attest; handling milk requires care & sensible handling and storing practices. For instance, we know that cool, clean environments are preferred to maximize shelf life of milk; the same applies to all organic liquid concentrates. Keep the lids closed and product cool. Organic liquids all require some form of stabilization; by exposing concentrated organic liquid concentrates to open air bug contamination under heat conditions could strain a delicate stabilization system.

And remember not to store diluted product; it has to be applied. Dilution also dilutes the stabilizer balance with potential odorous consequences!  Can’t blame the dog for that one!

Until next time, Take care, SP

Halloween has come and gone; November is moving along rapidly; we’ll be preparing turkeys again soon.

It’s been a while since posting; had a few tech bugs to clear out which interfered with my posting schedule. Although the 2008 growing season is well behind us, we, here at Cambrian, have our work cut out for us.

A major agricultural event, the Acres USA conference, is rapidly approaching and there is much preparation to do before heading out to St Louis, Missouri on the 4th of December. Please stop by and visit the Cambrian Biotech booth; Bruce Keltner, VP marketing & Sales, and I would truly enjoy meeting you to swop some ‘organic growing experiences’.

We also are looking forward to introducing and getting feedback on our new kelp formulation; the world’s very first nutrient rich Ecklonia kelp gel. This material holds great potential for many agricultural applications such as seed coating, hydro seeding, granulation – the list goes on..

Anyhow, this candle is burning low; it’s late. Please stop by tomorrow and drop a line?                                 Good morning,  SP