Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

So I got a sample of a product called Azos from a company called Rainforest Technologies International | Reforest.com
The product is a bacteria that fixes nitrogen in the soil. After talking with one of the companies representatives about bananas and the forum he offered me a sample to try. Here is what he wrote in an email:

I told him I would post the results,so here are some before and after pictures. Sorry I am not the best photographer.

Goldfinger before


Goldfinger after


Goldfinger leaf before


Goldfinger leaf after


Pisang Raja before


Pisang Raja after


Azos


As you can see the leaves have become a darker green which became much more apparent to me in the pictures. Before the pictures I did see a change in color especially in the GF. The pictures just showed how much. Sorry about the after pictures, I was taking them before the sun was setting, so if it looks like I just darkened the pictures, I didn't.

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

what was the time period from the before and after pictures? Also how much of the product is needed per each plant and how often does it need to be replenished?

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

The time period was 18 days mostly because I was a little lazy on getting the pictures out sooner.

It says 12oz will treat 2000 sq/ft so that will need to be calculated for your particular situation. The bacteria forms a symbiotic relationship with the plant s it stays for the life of the plant. At least that is what I am told. So once you treat a plant it is with the plant for the rest of its life. The thing I was wondering is if it will stay with the pups which I think it would but I will still treat them anyway.

Oh and if you want to try any they sell it at OSH, I don't know where else it is sold though.

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

What else have you been feeding your plants for the month prior, and during the application period?

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

I like seeing the result of your application of Azos. I would like, however, to see in the future from our gardening community, 2 pics, one of a plant with the Azos applied, and one of an identical plant in age, variety, culture, etc., except without Azos to use as a control. Only then will we be able to move from the anecdotal basis of current gardening to one more firmly based in scientific techniques, and hence more valuable as to future predictions of behavior.

Note- this is in no way a negative comment on your experience, Steve, just a plea for such research in the future. It shouldn't be hard for us, even those not trained in science, to follow the simple steps of the scientific experimental process.

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

Richard I will have to get back to you later about the fertilizer I was using I can't remember and I am at work, though it was always the same type and same dose.

As for Howard, I totally agree with you, have a test group and a control group would have been ideal. I would have done exactly that but I only have 2 bananas, both different types and both of different age. I just wanted to tell people about the stuff and hopefully others would try. That is why I never said anything about how it is some kind of miracle, just that OSH sells it if anyone wants to try. No hurt feelings here so no worries.

If anyone lives in my area I would be more than happy to give them some to try on their bananas, hopefully of the same type and age as saltydad mentioned.

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

Dr. Steve,
Pardon my naiveté, but what/where is OSH? How much do they sell it for? Do you have a link for them?

Thanks.

Chong

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

OSH is Orchard Supply and Hardware, I thought they would have one there. I just checked though and it is just California so sorry to all who had no idea what I was talking about. Also I am not sure on the price OSH has it for but I did post the price quote in my first post. Try contacting the company to see if they sell it there (link is in first post). I think they are still a small company and maybe sell mostly in stores in California. I am sure you could order it from them though. Good luck

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

Re: Azos (nitrogen fixing bacteria)
 

http://www.fspublishers.org/ijab/pas...12_NO_3/29.pdf

Associative nitrogen fixing bacteria fix nitrogen in the soil and while they aren't quite like the rhizobacterium that infect legumes, the effect is similar.