the tomatoes taste test-mmm-rock dust, biochar, control group

this may explained why the taste is better even though the amount in the plant tissue was not significantly better/different between biochar's and the control plant's tissue samples.

                                                   Does Biochar Retain Nutrients in the Soil?

has55 wrote:...   Does Biochar Retain Nutrients in the Soil?

In this vid, at 2:04-2:15, he mentions regulatory requirements for bagged soil products, I think.  At first, I thought he meant the worm castings, but then I thought he seemed to imply compost as well.

How do you hear it, and what are the 'regulatory requirements'?  I didn't know there was such a thing.

Am I missing something?

I heard it too. I thought that it meant there was a % formula that gave a near consistent batch that duplicated itself bag to bag, so we are not sold snake oil. Truthfully, I always wonder how they made up our compost bag. that why I was ok with MM idea for mixing various types of compost because of this thought. but again it sound like someone step in to protect the consumer. I reviewed it several times to find out what was to be below detection. I couldn't figure it out. Did you?

Nope.  As far as anyone on the forum has been able to determine, there are no specs for content percentages.

I was talking with the owner of a large commercial worm farm a few months ago.  He was disparaging a compost wholesaler in the PNW.  They buy his castings, and  advertise on their bags that the compost product within  contains castings.  But they told him that they are careful to keep the castings content below 5% because they can't be price competitive otherwise.  Buyer beware.

I have to give credit where deserved.  Several years ago, Wal-Mart had two products called 'Chicken Manure' and 'Mushroom Compost'.  On the front of the bags, in letters big enough to read without my cheaters, it said, 'This product not to be used as fertilizer.  For soil amendment only.'

At least they were honest about it.  There was no telling what the fillers were or how much was used.  I haven't seen those products on the shelf since.

wow, that's disturbing. I have to read what I purchased in more detail. Thank you for share that info.

The taste test is so subjective, depends on the plant itself, sun, water, as well as the difference with the additives.  I'm now sure how so small of a sample will help much, but I found it very interesting anyway.  

I can taste the difference between two of the same tomato plants that are planted in very different sun/shade/soil conditions on my property.  It's amazing how much all the factors added together impact the fruit.

audrey.jeanne.roberts wrote:The taste test is so subjective, depends on the plant itself, sun, water, as well as the difference with the additives.  I'm now sure how so small of a sample will help much, but I found it very interesting anyway.  

I can taste the difference between two of the same tomato plants that are planted in very different sun/shade/soil conditions on my property.  It's amazing how much all the factors added together impact the fruit.

Tremendous difference! Tomatoes taste different everywhere I plant them. I've had sungolds have that very wild taste in which the taste seems near toxic until you get used to it, and had them taste bland, and had them taste good, very good, and OMG!!! crazy superlative. It's amazing what a difference conditions make. Now when I read seed catalogues and even, I apologize, hear and read the attestations of my fellow gardeners and forumite gardeners, I take many complaints and enthusiasms about taste with a large grain of salt.

I used to think, Do they just have different tastes than me(in which case they are simply wrong and I may safely haul in Mr. T for however long it takes to pity the fool as long as I compensate his manager for the time spent away from his dish-washing machine) or are they wrong, until I realized it was the same thing. Now I realize that anyone who doesn't have as good soil as I have might still improve the taste of his crops by continuing to improve his soil, while anyone who has better soil than I do is a bastard.

Marc wrote: .........while anyone who has better soil than I do is a bastard.

Marc
You made me    way before I had my morning coffee!
   and  to you

llama momma wrote:

Marc wrote: .........while anyone who has better soil than I do is a bastard.

Marc
You made me    way before I had my morning coffee!
   and  to you

Me too!!!!

Me, three!

 you out did yourself.

The result from the 2015 trial test.

Very interesting.