AVOID TOXIC & ALLELOPATHIC PLANTS
Let’s look at coffee. People worldwide enjoy the stimulating effects of caffeine, and most people, definitely not all, can tolerate caffeine on a daily basis, but all people have trouble with caffeine in large doses.
What is caffeine? Why does coffee make caffeine? What is the pattern? The coffee plant takes precious energy that could be used to grow and reproduce and instead funnels it into a complex molecule, caffeine, to protect itself from pests. Yes, caffeine is a pesticide.
Coffee grounds have been used in gardening with some success. Brewed coffee grinds have most of the caffeine removed, but not all, and coffee also has may other strong biochemicals.
Recent controlled studies now seem to be showing that any amount of coffee grounds is detrimental to food production. The brewed grinds may be good for soil tilth and water retention, but it appears that the coffee grounds are not good for plants at all. Remember coffee makes its own pesticide. Pesticides don’t promote biology, they discourage it. And the detrimental effects may be due to more than just the caffeine.
When making Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) avoid using plants with strong acting chemicals, such as caffeine. Similarly avoid plants like citrus. Orange oil is used as an effective pesticide, including the treatment of termites. Lemon oil is used as a solvent and wood cleaner.
KNF practitioners have also noted problems using FPJ made from tomatoes, probably due to its high acidity and other factors.
It is best to use citrus inputs only on citrus, and tomato inputs only on tomatoes. It is probably safe to use an input from any strong plant on itself, but if not sure it should be tested first.
Plants such as oak, grapes, tea (Camellia sinensis) and some varieties of persimmons have high levels of tannins. The tannins in oak are used to cure animal hides into long lasting leather. The tannins in persimmon can be used as snake anti-venom. Any strongly tannic plant material might not be a good choice for FPJ either.
Any plant that has toxic actions or otherwise seems potent is best avoided in your weekly misting routine. Instead choose plants that are not toxic, allopathic, or contain strong tannins.
Contrast these plants with mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), the recommended plant for making an FPJ for vegetative growth. Mugwort, used medicinally worldwide has chemical properties, but they are mild and act as a tonic, and can be used on a regular basis.
For your regular weekly sprays you want FPJ plant material that works like a tonic, and avoid toxic plants, and plants with strong biochemicals, tannins, and high acidity.
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