Worm Castings and VermaPlex For Chia
Growing The Latest Super Food - Chia
Chia is not just a novelty plant from the past. Currently, due to Chia seeds health benefits being featured on Dr. Oz's show, it's now the hottest plant in agriculture.
And a growing number of farmers are jumping on the band wagon of Chia cultivation in South Florida. The sandy soil and climate of the area, with a definite dry season without frost or freeze, provide ideal growing conditions for this latest Super Food.
"By following our regime, these Chia farmers are able to increase yields..."
Because of the increased interest in Chia cultivation, our office is receiving numerous calls about using our worms castings, VermaPlex®, VermaMax®, and other certified organic soil amendments as fertilizer for their chia seed crop. What we are able to provide for them is more than just fertilizer.
By following our regime, these Chia farmers are able to increase yields and shorten harvest times while improving their soils for future harvests.
How To Grow Bigger Better Chia
Our recommendation for growing Chia using Pure Black Castings and/or VermaMax®, along with VermPlex® is as follows:
The best results are achieved when VermaPlex® comes into direct contact with the Chia seed at the time of planting. This recommendation was dramatically proved inadvertently by one of our Chia growers last season.
Our grower had 200 acres planned for Chia cultivation. Because the grower's spraying machine did not arrive in time, he planted 120 acres in Chia seeds anyway and it was two weeks before he was able to spray his planting area with VermaPlex®.
Due to an unfortunate and unseasonable storm that hit the area shortly after planting, the Chia field was flooded from several inches of rain. Much of his crop was damaged, although a portion did survive.
"The best results are achieved when VermaPlex® comes into direct contact with Chia seeds...."
After the storm, our Chia grower planted his remaining 80 acres. Following our recommendations faithfully, he applied the VermaPlex® spray to his seeds at planting. The results were dramatic.
The seeds sprouted quicker, there was a higher germination rate, and the plant growth was accelerated when compared to the surviving plants not receiving the VermaPlex application at planting time.
The entire crop, including the 120 acres that survived the flooding and the subsequent 80 acres, was treated with the recommended VermaPlex® applications throughout the growing season. Although the crop from the flooded area was affected, it still produced an abundant seed crop.
Why A Quicker Harvest Is So Important
Although SW Florida is conducive to growing Chia, the weather can be a danger. Chia requires 120 days to harvest. When planting in fall, you must plant your seeds as late as possible to miss the summer rains but still harvest your crop before the winter frost hits. Many growers plant their spring crop in March.
"And the accelerated root growth achieved using VermaPlex® applications produces a quicker harvest...."
Using VermaPlex® and achieving a quicker seed germination means you can wait until the tropical storm season is completely over before planting. And the accelerated root growth achieved using additional VermaPlex® applications produces a quicker harvest well before winter frosts threaten.
When planting in spring using our fertilizing regime, your Chia seeds can be harvested before the summer rainy season begins.
Quicker seeds sprouting, higher sprouting rates, accelerated root growth all result in a bigger, better Chia crop. Shorter harvest time means you beat the competition and the weather to market.
All these factors mean a higher profit and a decreased risk from loss for the Florida Chia farmer.
Chia is not just a novelty plant from the past. Currently, due to Chia seeds health benefits being featured on Dr. Oz's show, it's now the hottest plant in agriculture.
And a growing number of farmers are jumping on the band wagon of Chia cultivation in South Florida. The sandy soil and climate of the area, with a definite dry season without frost or freeze, provide ideal growing conditions for this latest Super Food.
"By following our regime, these Chia farmers are able to increase yields..."
Because of the increased interest in Chia cultivation, our office is receiving numerous calls about using our worms castings, VermaPlex®, VermaMax®, and other certified organic soil amendments as fertilizer for their chia seed crop. What we are able to provide for them is more than just fertilizer.
By following our regime, these Chia farmers are able to increase yields and shorten harvest times while improving their soils for future harvests.
How To Grow Bigger Better Chia
Our recommendation for growing Chia using Pure Black Castings and/or VermaMax®, along with VermPlex® is as follows:
- Soak seeds in a 1% solution of VermaPlex®. If soaking is not possible, spray the seeds VermaPlex®/water solution IMMEDIATELY after planting (2 gallons VermaPlex® mixed with 100 gallons water per acre).
- Immediately afterwards, apply Pure Black Castings™ to the field at a rate of 20# per 1000 sq ft.
Or, apply 50/50 mix of Pure Black Castings/VermaMax® at 20# per 1000 sq. ft. - Repeat VermaPlex®/water application in two weeks after planting.
- Repeat VermaPlex®/water application thereafter every 3-4 weeks throughout the growing season.
The best results are achieved when VermaPlex® comes into direct contact with the Chia seed at the time of planting. This recommendation was dramatically proved inadvertently by one of our Chia growers last season.
Our grower had 200 acres planned for Chia cultivation. Because the grower's spraying machine did not arrive in time, he planted 120 acres in Chia seeds anyway and it was two weeks before he was able to spray his planting area with VermaPlex®.
Due to an unfortunate and unseasonable storm that hit the area shortly after planting, the Chia field was flooded from several inches of rain. Much of his crop was damaged, although a portion did survive.
"The best results are achieved when VermaPlex® comes into direct contact with Chia seeds...."
After the storm, our Chia grower planted his remaining 80 acres. Following our recommendations faithfully, he applied the VermaPlex® spray to his seeds at planting. The results were dramatic.
The seeds sprouted quicker, there was a higher germination rate, and the plant growth was accelerated when compared to the surviving plants not receiving the VermaPlex application at planting time.
The entire crop, including the 120 acres that survived the flooding and the subsequent 80 acres, was treated with the recommended VermaPlex® applications throughout the growing season. Although the crop from the flooded area was affected, it still produced an abundant seed crop.
Why A Quicker Harvest Is So Important
Although SW Florida is conducive to growing Chia, the weather can be a danger. Chia requires 120 days to harvest. When planting in fall, you must plant your seeds as late as possible to miss the summer rains but still harvest your crop before the winter frost hits. Many growers plant their spring crop in March.
"And the accelerated root growth achieved using VermaPlex® applications produces a quicker harvest...."
Using VermaPlex® and achieving a quicker seed germination means you can wait until the tropical storm season is completely over before planting. And the accelerated root growth achieved using additional VermaPlex® applications produces a quicker harvest well before winter frosts threaten.
When planting in spring using our fertilizing regime, your Chia seeds can be harvested before the summer rainy season begins.
Quicker seeds sprouting, higher sprouting rates, accelerated root growth all result in a bigger, better Chia crop. Shorter harvest time means you beat the competition and the weather to market.
All these factors mean a higher profit and a decreased risk from loss for the Florida Chia farmer.