Applied Biodynamics — Issue 012 (Summer 1995)

Applied Biodynamics Issue 012 (Summer 1995) brings together Hugh Courtney's BD 501 material research, an introductory JPI workshop, Dennis Klocek's amethyst-spray cabbage report, and Candace Coffin's interview with Chris Stearn about measured plant responses. The original scan is incomplete: printed pages 7–8 are missing, so the account below draws only on surviving pages.

Horn silica materials and field observations

In “BD #501—The Horn Silica Preparation” (printed pp. 3–6), Hugh Courtney returns to Steiner's description of quartz and orthoclase feldspar as possible horn-filling materials. Courtney proposes comparing quartz with a feldspar form for predominantly sandy soils, drawing on feldspar's potassium, calcium, sodium, and clay relationships. He also examines very fine grinding and Steiner's mention of an iron pestle as practical preparation variables.

Courtney describes an experimental BD 501 made from fine crystal sand associated with a rectorite clay matrix. In his account, four 100-foot potato rows with a substantial Colorado potato beetle and larval infestation were sprayed, and all beetles and larvae were dead the following morning (printed p. 5). He presents that field observation as a reason to continue exploring mineral sources. He also describes BD 501 horn silica as a complement to BD 500 horn manure (printed p. 6).

A repeatable introductory workshop

Erin Coffin reports that 30 participants and nine staff or volunteers attended JPI's April 29, 1995 workshop (printed p. 10). Four groups practiced stirring BD 500 and BD 501 for one hour each, and BD 508 horsetail and Barrel Compost—JPI's Barrel Compound—for 20 minutes each. They sprayed and raked treated and untreated garden-bed sections in three rounds and described differences in soil feel. The workshop also demonstrated placing BD 502–506 compost preparations into designated holes with balls of compost, then pouring some stirred BD 507 into its hole and spraying the remainder over the pile.

The printed p. 11 handout records the workshop's practical questions on stirring containers, preparation storage, compost maturity by crop, water, and planting-calendar use. The workshop provided a detailed, hands-on method that participants could take back to their own farms and gardens.

Amethyst spray and cabbage observations

In the surviving continuation of “Amethyst Spray” (printed p. 9), Dennis Klocek describes grinding amethyst to a fine meal, triturating it with orthoclase feldspar and then flint to a 3x preparation, stirring a portion for 20 minutes in rainwater, and spraying cabbage on leaf days. The crop also received heavy mulch, drip irrigation, a liquid ferment side-dressing, and alternating Barrel Compost sprays, now called Barrel Compound by JPI. Klocek reports steady growth through very hot, dry weather, large Savoy heads by September 1, sweet and crisp leaves, and beads of moisture inside heads at cutting. He describes plans to repeat the work the following season.

Chris Stearn's reported root-response research

In Candace Coffin's interview (printed pp. 12–13), incoming JPI assistant director Chris Stearn describes comparing BD 500 and BD 501 preparations made by different people. He reports that Peter Blazer's samples gave significantly better plant responses than other samples, and that plants receiving the biodynamic preparations had marked increases in root surface area, root length, and root hairs versus controls. Stearn also reports isolating a nitrogen-fixing Azotobacter organism from horn silica material. He names a practical research program to show preparation effectiveness as a JPI priority.