Bat Guano: Yes or No?

[Shovelhandle]

which seed company are you referring to? I'd be interested in this. I'd not be surprised that it very well could be that some guano based nutrients may effect taste in a negative way. I've not run into this though, yet.

[Farang]

Mandala.

[Shovelhandle]

Thanks
I read their information page and see what they advise. I value their opinion. They also list Fox Farms soil as a good choice. Guess what is in Fox Farms? They also list Miracle Grow soils as a good choice. I do not like their products or their company.
There are other valuable opinions as well that may not agree on everything. I'm running 100% listed organic materials including high P guano. I'll see how this works out. So far this grow is one of my best ever.

[Shovelhandle]

Miracle Gro = Scotts = Monsanto = the devil himself

[32yrslater]

How do these companies that sell Bat Guano insure it is free of Hepatitis? Bats are carriers. Not all Bats are carriers but just in general there is a high incidence. They can carry Rabies too. Some how I don't see companies going through the expense of testing each Bat or batch of Bat crap for Hepatitis or Rabies. I can't remember if Rabies is only passed through saliva or not. I'd have to research that. Where is the Bat Guano coming from?....A cave? Can you tell Bat Guano from other rodent Guano? What are you really getting?

I'm really starting to wonder where all this stuff is coming from!! I put my seeds in a mixture of potting soil, miracle grow, vermiculite and some other leftover potting mix from this past summer. I don't try to regulate ph or temp except to keep it above 50 and no more than 85 with an LED and they do fine...like mostly any weed, flower or vegetable. Am I breaking any records? No....but I can't complain about what I'm getting and this is my first time and in very cold weather.

I saw another post around here where a guy was trying to write authoritatively about MRSA. If you come across it, he's got it all wrong but he talks like he knows. Just my opinion but I would check as many sources as possible and try to poke holes in everything first. If it holds water then I would try it. I like youtube because I can see the results.

I'm guessing with the Guano, you are trying to get something high in nitrogen? Cow manure and pig manure have done well by America's farmers. Why not that?

[Shovelhandle]

Any animal fecal matter can contain pathogens that are unhealthy to humans. Bat guano is no different and has been used safely and successfully as a plant nutrient. Go on and research all the different organic nutrient sources and get back to us.

[Mal420xl]

its my understanding that they are put thru some sort of sterilizing process or another. manure is very toxic for a while especially bat crap. you couldnt use it for much of anything straight out of the "chute" as it were.

[Farang]

anything and everything labeled as organic has to be suspect, particularly here in the third world where pirating is a way of life.

interesting to read that the Fox Farms recommended by Mandala who rails against guano. the idea that some organic material never goes away in soil doesn't make sense on the face of it. if it's organic, it's going to decompose. I believe that's in the definition of organic.

but I've also read posts from people who swear that the guano makes for bad taste and others who swear it's the exact opposite. but I've also read that high N levels toward the end of flowering is the responsible party.

no matter what is introduced to the soil, the plant breaks it down into the substances it requires and in forms changed from when it was added.

if the guano had a substantial influence on the taste of the final product, probably everybody would be finding new ways to flavor their crop. I haven't read of any and I don't believe it's possible. (I know, I know. there is a post running around about adding flavor to curing buds. I'm not sure that works, either.)

thanks to all for their input.