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Rafael's avatar

I am wondering if sargassum is a bad seaweed to use…its what we have in Florida. I know it emits toxic odors when it accumulates on our beaches…any thoughts??

The Fig Jam's avatar

Yes, it can be used!

There is this information from NOAA: https://www.noaa.gov/interagency-ocean-policy/2022-sost-opportunities-and-actions-roundtable/innovative-sustainable-american-fertilizer-production-from-invasive-sargassum-seaweed

And this research paper here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/394115858_Utilizing_Sargassum_Seaweed_as_a_Biofertilizer_for_Sustainable_Agriculture_A_Review

Hopefully, those links work for you. They both talk about sargassum being a good fertilizer. You do want to watch out for any possible contaminations if the water in the area is not good or safe from toxins or chemicals. That sometimes can happen at beaches and there should be an official website in your area to check water quality if there are concerns. There could be heavy metals or other chemicals in the seaweed if taken from contaminated waters.

Seaweed can get pretty smelly as it sits on the beach, so getting fresher seaweed if possible would be better instead of old stuff.

Rafael's avatar

Thank you!

Manny Carvalho's avatar

I'm 99.9% sure your experiment will be successful. Been using fresh seaweed for years around base of plants and steeped in rainwater over the Winter; and applied in the Spring w/incredible growth and production. There is inherent goodness in seaweed :-). Good luck and look forward to your discoveries... and as an "Olde Sailor", back at'ya:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw0FZs_J2IE

The Fig Jam's avatar

Seaweed is the best, right?! I love the stuff. Glad to hear you use it too. A shanty to a shanty! I’m here tapping my toe. 😁

GrantsPlantsOregon's avatar

Great experiment, I think it will work. I also have a winter experiment going where I am burying cuttings in a shallow hole by my mature fig tree for several days to let the microbes inoculate the cutting prior to rooting it. I will compare this to sterilized/washed cuttings.

The Fig Jam's avatar

Nice! I remember you saying something about that before. That will be an interesting experiment! Let me know how it goes if you think of it. 🙂

Keith's avatar

Girl - You CRAZY. But in good way :)

The Fig Jam's avatar

Always 😉