Let's Make Cake

Redwood Ryan

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Hey all,



First off, I'll start by saying this is not my idea. I give all credit to Brian Van Fleet. He posted it on his blog:

http://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/2013/05/18/feeding-the-trees-let-them-eat-cake-and-fish/

I tried this today and thought I'd post it here for all to see.

First, gather your materials. Flour, Pam, aluminum foil, flour, micronutrients (I, and Brian, use EcoVie), a bucket, Plant-tone, and a shovel for mixing:
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Next, dump your Plant-tone into your bucket:
022.jpg

Then, add two cups of flour to the bucket:
023.JPG

Add 1/4 cup of micronutrients per bag of Plant-tone. Then, add water to the bucket and stir with the shovel until it is the consistency of oatmeal (looks yummy doesn't it?):
025.jpg
 
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Redwood Ryan

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Next, spray your foil:
024.jpg

Then spread the mixture onto the foil, and press down to about an inch or so:
028.jpg
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026.jpg

Now I'll let it sit for a few hours, then cut it into squares. Stay tuned.
 

Paradox

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Damn, I thought it was going to be chocolate with chocolate frosting.
 

painter

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how much water?
im not much of a baker and need exact measurements please.!
thanks i need a weekend project that involves fertilizing.
p
 

Redwood Ryan

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how much water?
im not much of a baker and need exact measurements please.!
thanks i need a weekend project that involves fertilizing.
p


Can't give you an exact amount, as I just used the hose since it's fast. You should be able to form a "snowball" with it.
 

Redwood Ryan

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Damn, I thought it was going to be chocolate with chocolate frosting.


Ya know, my Mom came out and saw that I had used one of her baking pans. Her words: "If that's not Texas Cake it better get out of there!"

:rolleyes:
 

GrimLore

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My Wife treats her bakeware and entire baking area like it is an Alter - Next time go to the local dollar store and get cheap pans or suffer the Wrath :p
 

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I've used flour as a binding agent before. I've moved away from it over the past couple of years because one has to add a lot of it for it to work, perhaps diluting the strength of the cakes. Next time you make some cakes, try skipping the flour and substituting a couple of packs of gelatin instead. I've found it to be a much more effective binding agent. It's also water soluble and doesn't dilute your fertilizer as much because of the small volume that you have to add. Perhaps you'll like it as well.

I've always stuck with the unflavored variety myself, but I wonder if my trees would prefer strawberry? My kids like it better - something to think about next time.

Scott
 

Redwood Ryan

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I've used flour as a binding agent before. I've moved away from it over the past couple of years because one has to add a lot of it for it to work, perhaps diluting the strength of the cakes. Next time you make some cakes, try skipping the flour and substituting a couple of packs of gelatin instead. I've found it to be a much more effective binding agent. It's also water soluble and doesn't dilute your fertilizer as much because of the small volume that you have to add. Perhaps you'll like it as well.

I've always stuck with the unflavored variety myself, but I wonder if my trees would prefer strawberry? My kids like it better - something to think about next time.

Scott


I dunno if it would dilute the fertilizer, and it's what Brian suggested, so for now I'll stick with it ;)

I thought about maybe adding some orange juice or a drop or two of lemon, but not this time. Maybe next batch....:cool:
 

markyscott

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I dunno if it would dilute the fertilizer, and it's what Brian suggested, so for now I'll stick with it ;)

I don't think flour will do any harm. I just think of it as an inert binding agent that doesn't add anything to the fertilizer itself. If you're happy with it, charge! If you're in an experimental mood when you make your next batch, try gelatin. I like it better - perhaps you will as well. It's a more effective binding agent than flour and you only have to put in 1 or 2 envelopes (1.5-3 tsp) for it to work.

Scott
 
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Redwood Ryan

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I don't think flour will do any harm. I just think of it as an inert binding agent that doesn't add anything to the fertilizer itself. If you're happy with it, charge! If you're in an experimental mood when you make your next batch, try gelatin. I like it better - perhaps you will as well. It's a more effective binding agent than flour and you only have to put in 1 or 2 envelopes (1.5-3 tsp) for it to work.

Scott


Ah I see. I've got plenty of micronutrients left, so I might just give it a try. Need to find a place that sells it, I'm not too familiar with it.
 

markyscott

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Local supermarket? Wherever you typically buy your jello.

Scott
 

Redwood Ryan

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Local supermarket? Wherever you typically buy your jello.

Scott



Oh duh of course :p


I went out and cut the "Texas Cake" into squares, thus turning them into small brownies:
030.jpg
031.jpg

I may also have to bring them indoors under a heat lamp to let them dry, as we're expecting nothing but overcast and rain here the next few days....
 

monza

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Maybe its in all mixes but floor and or gelatine seems like odd in ingredients to me? Would it not tend to clog the soil up?
 

Redwood Ryan

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Maybe its in all mixes but floor and or gelatine seems like odd in ingredients to me? Would it not tend to clog the soil up?


??? This isn't about making soil, this is fertilizer cakes...
 

markyscott

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Maybe its in all mixes but floor and or gelatine seems like odd in ingredients to me? Would it not tend to clog the soil up?

Both are just binding agents to prevent the cakes from falling apart. Fertilizer cakes do break down over time and accumulate in the top layer of soil. I replace the top couple of inches annually because of this.


Scott
 

Redwood Ryan

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Thats sits on the soil then dissolves...


Well yes, but I figure the gelatin would just mix into the rest of the mixture anyways. It's not like you're adding THAT MUCH of it.
 
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