Preparation name

Biodynamic compost preparation – BD 507 – Valerian

How to make

Content: Valerian flowers
Procedure From the time of seed sowing, Valerian takes about 12 months to be at the appropriate stage for harvest to make preparations. Plant in spring for harvest in late spring to early summer of the following year. It is a perennial plant.
To make the preparation firstly harvest the flowers at a time when the moon is in Libra or Gemini. Then grind the flowers in a mortar and pestle. Put this mixture in a jar with four times their volume of distilled water, making a 20% solution. Leave the jar on a window sill for seven days then filter it and place in a bottle with a lid on it.
Storage: The bottle should be stored in a cool dark place with the lid tight to exclude air.

Reasons for use

Valerian helps to concentrate phosphorous in the plant and this in turn aids with the plants capacity to attract light in the photosynthesis process. It stimulates the phosphate activating bacteria in the soil. Valerian deals with the forces from Saturn.

How to apply

In compost: Use whenever you are making a biodynamic compost. This could be at any time of the year, but there are ideal times to make compost which are indicated on a biodynamic planting calendar or you can use the BD preparations calendar tool in our member aea.
Quantity: Valerian is mixed in with clean water.  For a compost heap of 1 cubic metre, you will need a bucket of water with approximately 7 litres or 2 gallons of water. In the water, mix 10-15 drops  or 1/2 ml of valerian
How to apply: Stir the valerian into water for 10 minutes. Insert 1/2 into the compost pile in a hole in the middle of the circle of holes you have created for the other preparations. Spray the other half on top of the compost pile. Insert the valerian after you have done the other preparations. Its best to do them in order of their numbers so you do not forget any.

Country alternatives

None

Comments

As an alternative to making this BD compost preparation, I suggest buying it already made up from the Biodynamic association in your country, see our BD Resources page for a listing.

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