MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN BIOCHEMISTRY
OBVIATES NEED FOR CO2 SUPPLEMENTATION


By Bill Lermer
Animals intake oxygen, and exhale carbon dioxide. CO2 is composed of carbon and oxgyen, but plants use far more carbon than oxygen. This is why plants intake carbon, but exhale oxygen. Plants combine carbon with water and fertilizer to produce phosphitides and sugars, two major components of flowers and leaves. It is possible for animals to obtain oxygen in a liquid, rather than a gas. It is als o possible for non-aquatic plants to obtain carbon in a liquid instead of a CO2 gas.

Consider the advantages of supplying the carbon along with the nutrient solution, instead of supplementing CO2 in a gas.

With liquid carbon:
1. No equipment is needed (saving $475-$1275).
2. Vented rooms would not vent out supplemented CO2.
3. Other complex organic molecules, such as sugars and flavor enhancers,
  can be directly absorbed, whole, by roots.
4. The direct absorption of organic molecules (identical to normal plant
content) is more efficient than first breaking down, then re-assembling.


With CO2 gas systems:
5. CO2 supplementation involving a propane or natural gas flame in a home is unsafe. In the event of a pilot light failure, flammable gas could combine with ambient oxygen, which, if ignited, would result in a fuel-air explosion of large force. Also, CO2 and CO (carbon monoxide) could build up to toxic levels in the event of a ventilation failure.
6. Bottled CO2 involves lugging bottles of significant weight.
7. It is difficult to maintain very high CO2 levels that go with the four (4) month bloom method ( sea of green, next generation). The very high (up to 5000 ppm) CO2 levels are warranted because of the very low (down to 30%) humidity levels required because of the increased danger of mold. (Low humidity tends to close leaf pores.)

The liquid carbon method has been field-tested by several growers. The results have been mostly positive, but a few have reported little difference. All the growth factors work together, so a problem in one area can hold back growth. However, the liquid carbon will compensate for low light levels, because energy is injected directly into the plant. Low humidity tends to close the leaf pores, making it more difficult to absorb CO2 from the air. CO2 is less important with the liquid carbon. Growth stimulants can be added during the veg phase, and floral stimulants can be added during the bloom phase.

Anytime a grower switches to a different method, prudence suggests experimenting with a few plants at first. The primary caution with the liquid carbon method is that there is a need to compensate for the organic fertilizer in real soil, which is normally only slowly released, but is now instantly available. However, soil is not recommended for small scale growers, because it does not have the aeration of coconut shell fibres, rockwool, expanded clay hydroponics, perlite/vermiculite mixture, or even peat moss soilless mixtures. Allow me to explain the why and the how.

The nutrient value of organic soil comes from composted animals, animal waste, plants, and minerals. Since the root cells cannot ordinarily and readily absorb complex organic molecules, bacteria and enzymes are normally necessary to break down the material into the atomic form. It is then absorbed by the roots and re-assembled inside the plant. However, a special form of carbon can fuse with the roots through a process known as cellular transfection. This means that complex organic molecules suspended in the water are injected whole into the roots. This is different from the traditional method, which only slowly releases the organic fertilizer. This is why the liquid carbon method can result in fertilizer overdose if used in organic soil. Growth stimulants found in seaweed can mitigate this effect.

This carbon should be de-oiled, and contain 97% phosphitides. Since this carbon contains organic phosphorous, it is advisable to reduce or eliminate the normal bloom supplementation containing phosphorous (pink Flora Bloom in the General Hydroponics trinity). To each gallon of de-chlorinated pure water, mix:

1 tablespoon 35% H2O2 1 tablespoon finely ground Phosphitides 1 tablespoon Blackstrap Molasses normal dose of Seaweed extract organic or chemical fertilizer, at first at reduced levels

The H2O2 benefits plant growth by adding oxygen to the root zone, and by purifying the anerobic bacteria and fungus. Put the other ingredients, and a gallon of water, in a blender. Add the H2O2 to the main body of water, then pour in also the blended ingredients.

To assist solubility, mix the required number of tablespoons of Phosphitides and Molasses into some lukewarm water in a blender; then pour into your mixing barrel (containing the rest of the water and the peroxide). Or, you could just add the ingredients to the water in your mixing barrel. Then put in a submersible pump for a few hours for blending, and leave it on to keep sediment from sinking while watering plants. Use another pump with an attached hose to apply fertilizer water.

The liquid carbon can be used instead of fertilizer at the late bloom phase. It can also help up take flavor enhancers such as non-citric fruit juices such as blueberry, mango, cherry, etc. This will give a greater variety of flavor than the blackstrap molasses. Plant leaves are about 30% sugar, so using the liquid carbon method with sugars by-passes the normal energy consuming method.

A good Seaweed extract will contain growth hormones. It is advisable to discontinue growth hormones the last three weeks (late bloom).

The liquid carbon method reduces the safety factor of organic fertilizers. Be sure to measure as accurately as chemical fertilizers, to avoid overdose. It is important to start with reduced fertilizer levels, even with chemical fertilizers, to avoid shocking the plant.

The pH of the nutrient solution in hydroponics is interesting. If you should find it necessary to raise the pH with Potassium, you should be aware that it takes a while for the pH to change because of the buffering of the organic molecules like the Phosphitides and Blackstrap Molasses. The pH will tend to drift toward acid, so maintain a pH between 6.2 and 7.8 through the addition of dilute Potassium Hydroxide. It is especially desirable to add oxygen when using organics. It is important to keep down anaerobic bacteria and fungus. Chemicals can very quickly produce organics in the presence of light and water. The hydrogen peroxide is dissipated within 24 hours, so it should be replenished daily in a hydroponic system. Oxygen is beneficial to the plant root zone for many reasons. If you put a lot of peroxide in at a time, it can lead to floating clumps of rockwool and other organic material.

If using drip or aeroponics, I would suggest using a good water filter attached to the pump which supplies the nutrient water. It would be ideal to not recirclate the nutrient water. You may want to collect rain water in used 55-gallon plastic drums, for the high water quality and lower water bill. It is also good to maintain a water temperature of about 72 degrees F, to increase solubility. The water will tend to be cooler than the air, because the evaporated water will transport the heat.

It is ideal to use both liquid carbon and CO2 If you use only one method, the liquid carbon is preferred.

A few years ago, a Jesuit University asked me if some of my articles could be re-printed on CD-ROMS for use in educating future astronauts and others on high tech growing methods. I said OK, but that I needed to update them. Scholastics tend to view knowledge as almost static, and focus on minor improvements at the margin. Quantum leaps forward are usually achieved by outsiders and entrepreneurs.

The benefits of the liquid carbon method for space exploration are staggering. If the CO2 is raised to optimum levels for the plants, it would be too high for the humans. I suspect that the humans in a space station would not be able to exhale enough CO2 to support the amount of plant material necessary to provide the food. It would also be useful for growing on thin-air low-light Mars. So I would advise future farmers in the sky to check out the liquid carbon method.