# Applied Biodynamics — Issue 046 (Fall 2004) **By JPI Admin** · 2025-12-31 _Applied Biodynamics_ Issue 046 (Fall 2004) combines Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s soil-life principles with exact historical recipes for biodynamic tree paste, prepared water, fermented BD 508, and transplant root dip, plus field designs for measuring soil, bark, and establishment outcomes. [**Download Issue 046 PDF**](https://go.jpibd.org/ab-046) ## Bio-Dynamics: A Short, Practical Introduction Pfeiffer describes biodynamics as a system for restoring the organic matter needed for stable humus, maintaining a balanced living soil, and integrating mineral nutrients with biological processes. He does not deny the importance of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, lime, magnesium, or trace minerals. His argument is that these components should function within soil structure, organic matter, microbial life, water, air, crop rotation, and sound cultivation. Practical points include treating manure and compost well, retaining farm organic matter, using rotations and fertility-building crops, protecting soil structure, and avoiding cultivation that smears or compacts wet soil into hard layers. These principles are testable through aggregate stability, infiltration, bulk density, penetration resistance, soil organic carbon, microbial respiration or biomass, rooting depth, crop yield, and disease records. ## “Father of N-P-K Theory Sees the Light” This short historical piece presents a late-life quotation attributed to chemist Justus von Liebig, describing regret for treating fertility too narrowly and emphasizing the capacity of living soil to attract and hold what plants need. The passage supports the issue’s theme, but the newsletter does not document the quote’s primary source. It should therefore be read as an attributed historical text, not independent verification of Liebig’s exact words. ## A Healing and Protective Treatment: the Biodynamic Tree Paste Pfeiffer’s original recipe is one-third sticky clay, one-third cow manure, and one-third fine sand, with proportions and water adjusted until the paste can be applied and remains on the tree. He notes possible additions such as charcoal, horsetail tea, or a nasturtium extract. The article recommends adapting the formula to the tree and conditions rather than claiming one universal recipe. Hugh J. Courtney’s simplified beginner formula removes fresh manure. It specifies: - Five pounds of bentonite clay - Two to two-and-a-half gallons of dechlorinated water - One-half gallon of fermented [BD 508 horsetail tea](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-508) - Two units of [Pfeiffer Field & Garden Spray](https://go.jpibd.org/product-pfeiffer-spray) - A five- or six-gallon lidded bucket and a drill-mounted mixer Water is placed in the bucket, bentonite is added gradually while mixing, and the BD 508 tea and Pfeiffer spray are added after roughly half the clay. The remaining clay brings the mixture to a thick paste. It may rest for several hours and be stirred or adjusted with water. Two units each of [Barrel Compound](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bc) and [BD 500](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-500) are offered as a substitution, although the article warns that this version may clog spray equipment. Loose bark is removed before brushing the paste onto trunks and larger limbs. A much thinner mixture can be sprayed over a tree. Optional additions include no more than one-quarter cup of castor oil as a binding and healing agent or linseed oil as a binder. Because coating bark can also create moisture or compatibility problems, current users should follow the [JPI tree-paste instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-tree-paste), test a small area, and consult an arborist when disease, major wounds, or valuable trees are involved. ## Water and fermented BD 508 The issue prefers fresh rainwater. Underground water is described as ideally exposed to sun and starlight for at least 24 hours; chlorinated or fluoridated municipal water for 48 hours; non-stagnant pond water is also listed. Stainless steel or ceramic vessels are preferred, plastic is a last resort, and aluminum is excluded. For fermented BD 508, one unit of shredded horsetail—about 1 to 1.5 ounces by weight, depending on grind—is brought to a boil in one gallon of water and simmered for one hour in stainless steel or porcelain. The article allows 10–14 days for fermentation. Exact herb identity, weight, water source, heat time, vessel, temperature, fermentation time, odor, pH when available, dilution, and storage should be recorded. ## Root dip for transplanting The historical root dip is described as approximately 80% clay and 20% cow manure, made fluid enough to coat roots, with BD 500 added. Courtney offers a second route: dilute his tree-paste mixture with water or molasses to a slurry. The issue does not claim that the dip creates mycorrhizal association, and it does not provide controlled transplant results. A useful trial compares untreated roots, a clay carrier, the historical dip, and any current standard transplant treatment. Record root exposure time, planting conditions, soil moisture, wilting, survival, establishment time, root growth, shoot growth, and later performance. Fresh manure requires pathogen-aware handling, protective equipment, clean tools, and compliance with current food-crop and sanitation guidance. ## Key Topics Covered Humus, soil biology, mineral nutrients, crop rotation, green manure, mulching, structure, compaction, and cultivation. A historical quotation attributed to Justus von Liebig whose primary source is not documented in the issue. Pfeiffer’s original tree paste and Hugh J. Courtney’s simplified beginner formula, including brush-on and diluted spray use. Prepared water, fermented BD 508 procedure, materials, weights, vessels, heating, fermentation, dilution, and storage. The historical 80% clay and 20% cow-manure transplant root dip with BD 500, plus a tree-paste slurry variation. Replicated soil, bark, wound, pest, survival, rooting, growth, and yield measurements with current sanitation controls. ## Repeatable Practice 1. For soil systems, use replicated plots and fixed sampling dates for aggregate stability, infiltration, bulk density, penetration resistance, organic carbon, microbial measures, rooting depth, yield, and disease. 2. For tree paste, assign comparable trees or matched limbs to untreated, carrier-only, paste, and standard-care groups; record the full recipe, bark condition, wounds, weather, thickness, and application date. 3. Track bark temperature, cracking, moisture injury, lesion expansion, pests, callus closure, growth, and yield with coded photographs over more than one season. 4. For root dip, compare untreated, clay-carrier, historical dip, and standard treatment groups; record exposure, soil moisture, wilting, survival, establishment, root growth, shoot growth, and later performance while using pathogen-aware manure handling. ## Explore Related Resources - [Biodynamic Tree Paste](https://go.jpibd.org/product-tree-paste) - [Tree Paste Instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-tree-paste) - [Biodynamic Tree Paste Protocol](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-tree-paste) - [Pfeiffer Field & Garden Spray](https://go.jpibd.org/product-pfeiffer-spray) and [guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-pfeiffer-spray) - [BD 508 Horsetail Preparation](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-508) and [guide](https://go.jpibd.org/guide-bd-508) - [BD 500 Horn Manure](https://go.jpibd.org/product-bd-500) and [instructions](https://go.jpibd.org/instructions-bd-500) ## Articles - Bio-Dynamics: A Short, Practical Introduction (E. E. Pfeiffer)  - Father of N-P-K Theory Sees the Light  - A Healing and Protective Treatment—The Biodynamic Tree Paste (E. E. Pfeiffer)  - Biodynamic Tree Paste—A Simplified Recipe for Beginners (H. J. Courtney)  - Root Dip for Transplanting  ## Citation Source: _Applied Biodynamics_, Issue No. 46, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Bio-Dynamics, Fall 2004. **Tags:** Applied Biodynamics Archive, BD 508, Research Methods, Seeds and Propagation, Soil Health, Water --- > Source: [The Josephine Porter Institute](https://www.jpibiodynamics.org/blogs/applied-biodynamics/applied-biodynamics-issue-046-fall-2004)