Enzyme Fertilizer Making Method
Today, I will elaborate on the knowledge related to common gardening tips, the method of making enzyme fertilizer. Next, the site editor will introduce it to the netizens.
Everyone who grows flowers knows that enzyme is a liquid that improves the soil, it is a flower fertilizer, and it is an environmentally friendly fertilizer. There are many methods for making enzyme fertilizer on the internet, but here I will only share my experience from the past few years. Detailed methods can be found on the internet, and my experience can only be used for reference.
I. About the choice of containers
I initially washed oil cans, lining up an entire row against the wall, which made me always have to explain to visitors what they were. The most troublesome part was waiting six months to pour, which made me worried. When I poured, the opening was blocked, and I ended up cutting it all with scissors. After this lesson, I directly bought large plastic buckets. You can also buy them directly. I will upload the picture of the bucket when I have time. Anyway, it's a large bucket, the bigger the better. The opening must not be small. Remember that.
II. About proportions
Online introductions to making environmentally friendly enzyme: 1 part sugar + 3 parts kitchen waste + 10 parts tap water, known as 1:3:10. The first time I made it, I strictly followed the ratio, afraid of making a mistake, because some people said that it could go wrong, making it seem very scientific. It scared me. Later on, I became bold and my proportions were based on feeling. I filled a bucket of any size with tap water to about two-thirds, threw in a 500g pack of brown sugar, and for very large buckets, like a 50-liter one, I threw in four packs. I stirred it with a stick and that was it. When I ate oranges, I threw the peels in whenever I wanted, and when it was full, it was done.
III. About the fermentation materials
I use only four materials to make enzyme: rose petals, orange and tangerine peels, and pineapple peels.
Although the internet says that fresh materials can all be used, I have tried using pumpkins and zucchinis, and the results were not pleasant. I also tried using sugarcane roots because I read online that you don't need to add sugar when making it with this material. But I collected a week's worth of sugarcane roots and peels, cut them into small pieces, and soaked them for a year. Nothing rotted. In frustration, I poured it into the vegetable garden, and it turned out that this unrotted water was quite useful, fertilizing all my vegetables overnight. Later, I became particular about my materials. In autumn and winter, I only threw in orange or tangerine peels, making the enzyme smell like a fresh orange. In spring, of course, it's roses. I pick my own roses and make a large bucket, and small buckets can't satisfy my wishes. In spring and summer, when there are many pineapples sold, I ask for the peels and make a large bucket. The advantage of using pineapple peels is that you don't need to add sugar.
IV. About sealing
Many people say it needs to be sealed and vented, but I'm not that careful to vent it every day. I don't seal it until it's not full, just covering it with a piece of cardboard or the lid of the bucket. When it's full, I put a large plastic bag over it and tie it with a rubber band. If the mouth is large, I use an elastic band. There's no need to vent; the gas will escape on its own due to the stretching of the elastic band. I don't have to worry about forgetting to vent and causing an explosion. Lazy methods are quite effective.
V. About fermentation time
The fermentation time is three months. The internet says that the longer, the better. I usually throw in orange peels in autumn and winter and start collecting the enzyme in May of the following year. Roses made in spring also need to be collected when the roses bloom the next year, so it's about a year of fermentation. If you're waiting to use it, three months is fine.
VI. About the treatment of the drained residue
The residue drained out is a good thing, it can be used as flower fertilizer. I usually soak it in a large jar and dilute it with water to water the flowers.
VII. About the sugar issue for making enzyme a second time
After making enzyme once, you basically don't need to buy sugar again. Just pour some of the made enzyme into it.
VIII. About the uses of enzyme
I initially made it because it was said that it could be used as flower fertilizer to improve the soil. Later, I used it to wash dishes and laundry instead. I used it less for watering flowers. When washing dishes, I mixed it with dishwashing liquid in the ratio of enzyme: dishwashing liquid: water 1:3:10, which is excellent for washing dishes. I also mix it with laundry detergent to soak clothes, and after washing, the clothes smell of roses. Of course, you can use it to water flowers, but I'm a bit reluctant. Haha.
The above is the complete introduction to the method (experience) of making enzyme fertilizer, for everyone to learn and understand!