Applied Biodynamics — Issue 051 (Winter 2005–2006)

Issue 051 frames biodynamics as a learnable, demonstrable practice capable of engaging beginners, professionals, and skeptics through visible results, disciplined experimentation, and structured education.

The central feature, “Biodynamics Brings the Gift of Learning to the Garden – Q. & A. with L. A. Rotheraine” by Patricia Smith, presents a detailed practitioner interview focused on long-term, observable outcomes rather than abstract explanation. Rotheraine recounts the origin of the Selke Biodynamic Cherry Tomato, which began as a volunteer plant growing in an old compost heap in the late 1980s. Through repeated indoor and outdoor cultivation, seed saving, and consistent use of biodynamic preparations, the plant developed into a highly stable strain capable of extreme vegetative growth and prolific yields.

The interview documents concrete practices: regular use of the Pfeiffer BD Compost Starter and later the BD Field Spray; extensive foliar and soil spraying regimes adjusted to local constraints; and early transplanting under protective structures in a harsh, short-season climate. Rotheraine specifies sowing and transplanting dates weeks earlier than regional norms, compensating for cold and low light with preparation use and physical protection. He provides quantitative observations, including plant heights exceeding twelve feet and yields ranging from hundreds to thousands of fruits per plant under controlled conditions.

Critical to the article’s rigor are documented failure modes and corrections. Rotheraine reports foliar burn and plant stress caused by excessive BD 501 application during prolonged cold, damp periods, reinforcing the need for restraint and balance. He also recounts targeted recovery of foliage using BD 504 and BD 505 applied to the soil, with visible regreening within weeks. Throughout, the interview emphasizes experimentation, record-keeping, and adaptation rather than adherence to fixed recipes.

The issue’s most procedural contribution appears in “Saving Tomato Seeds Using Valerian (Rotheraine Method).” This article presents a step-by-step, reproducible protocol for fermenting tomato seeds using BD 507. The method specifies ratios of seed pulp to water, valerian dosage per volume, ten-minute biodynamic stirring, controlled fermentation duration, and twice-daily gentle agitation. Clear diagnostic indicators are provided: formation of surface mold and separation of viable seed sinking to the bottom. The protocol includes detailed washing, screening, and rapid drying instructions, with explicit warnings against prolonged moisture that can trigger premature germination.

An observational comparison is reported: tomato plants grown from twelve-year-old seed fermented with valerian were indistinguishable in vigor and yield from plants grown from one-year-old seed. While causation is not claimed, the result raises a testable hypothesis regarding extended seed vitality associated with valerian fermentation, inviting further replication.

The issue concludes with “Vineyard Managers and Winemakers Convene at JPI,” a professional field report documenting a multi-day seminar held at the Josephine Porter Institute. Vineyard managers, winemakers, and consultants from multiple states participated in hands-on preparation making, including horn manure pits, Biodynamic Compound Preparation pits, and compost work. The seminar combined practical instruction with research presentations on biodynamic vineyard programs, emphasizing direct sensory engagement with preparations rather than classroom abstraction. The report positions biodynamics as increasingly relevant to commercial viticulture, with preparation making presented as foundational rather than optional.

Collectively, Issue 051 demonstrates biodynamics as an educational process grounded in visible results, disciplined method, and shared practice, capable of bridging home gardens, seed stewardship, and professional agriculture.

Articles 

• Biodynamics Brings the Gift of Learning to the Garden – Q. &  A. with L. A. Rotheraine (P. Smith)  
• Saving Tomato Seeds Using Valerian (Rotheraine Method)  Vineyard Managers and Winemakers Convene at JPI 

Key Topics Covered

• Long-term development of a stable biodynamic tomato strain
• Early indoor and outdoor cultivation under extreme climatic limits
• Use of compost starter and BD Field Spray as entry-level practice
• Quantified preparation application frequency and seasonal timing
• Documented plant stress from excessive BD 501 use and corrective measures
• Targeted soil application of BD 504 and BD 505 for foliage recovery
• Step-by-step valerian-based tomato seed fermentation protocol
• Diagnostic indicators for viable versus non-viable seed
• Rapid drying requirements to prevent premature germination
• Observed long-term seed viability following valerian fermentation
• Hands-on biodynamic preparation training for vineyard professionals
• Integration of preparation making with commercial viticulture practice

Citation

Applied Biodynamics, Issue 051, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Winter 2005–2006.