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Seattle, WA

I recently decided to see if what Mammoth P looked like under the microscope and if you could increase the beneficial bacteria by brewing in in a compost tea brewer. Here's the results!

https://www.kisorganics.com/blogs/news/how-to-maximize-your-mammoth-p-application

5/2/2017 11:29:14 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Thanks for sharing Tad. Very Cool. I just unwrapped my new microscope and have some Mammouth P, gonna give it a try as well. I wanna breed some organizms.... Boy that stuff sure stinks!

5/2/2017 11:45:47 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

What a wonderful link....> http://www.coloradogrowerssupply.com/Nutrients-Additives_c_210.html

5/2/2017 11:54:50 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

What magnification do you guys use?

5/2/2017 12:51:53 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Video said 400X, Im going to see if I can get a photo attachement for mine. I been wanting to do this for years... A new frontier

5/2/2017 1:05:18 PM

Seattle, WA

For bacteria, I use 400x. That's 40x plus the 10x eyepiece. This is my microscope: http://www.gardeningwithmicrobes.com/microscope.shtml

5/2/2017 1:09:24 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

http://www.amscope.com/compound-microscopes/veterinary-compound-microscopes/40x-2000x-binocular-compound-darkfield-microscope.html... Hope I got the right one.

5/2/2017 1:18:36 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

The microcope I have goes up to 2000x (100x 20x eyepiece). I can see the little stuff but i just can't see clearly enough to identify the individual species which is why I purchased the microscope. This microscope does connect to the computer so it is possible to snap a picture of what i see. I think a scanning electron microscope is out of my budget for the near term so will have to figure out how to get the most out of what I already have.

5/2/2017 2:37:35 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Bob, Im exited to check this out, I can ID a few, but its like watching Dr Seuss under the microscope, strange odd criters.

5/2/2017 3:15:24 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

Are you using oil immersion at the higher powers wizzy..I am still working on improving my technique for that.

5/2/2017 7:27:59 PM

Seattle, WA

You won't be able to identify species without doing staining or other tests. With direct microscopy you can determine if there's all sets of microorganisms are present with good diversity and biomass. You can really only determine morphology (shape). It's a useful tool in evaluating soils, composts, and microbial products.

I find 400x to be sufficient and spend most of my time and 100 and 200x. My microscope has a 1000x oil immersion but I've never used it.

5/3/2017 1:35:50 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Bob, I got a lot to learn still but with my Wizzy wife working in a lab sure helpZ a lot. I want to get to the point where I can record to the computer then share with others..this is the next frontier

5/3/2017 9:39:28 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Tad,

You have a lot more experience with this... Im thinking about adding the 10MP camera vice the 5 any thoughts? I have some older Mammouth pee.. so looking forward to duplicating your tests and incorporating into the compost Tea mixtures....

5/3/2017 1:24:21 PM

Seattle, WA

I know with my microscope, I was able to test it out to see if I was happy with the quality of the objectives and what I could see under the scope. You may try and do the same with the cameras and see if there is a worthwhile difference between the two.

For my setup, I bought a custom adaptor from Martin Microscopes so I could hook up a Canon T3i with HD video recording to the trinocular port. Overkill for what you are trying to do in my opinion.

5/3/2017 1:33:05 PM

Mn

This is cool!

5/3/2017 3:46:31 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

My wife has a degree in chemistry, she also has taken many classes in microbiology, so she is my number one source for help. I am still learning about ways for the microscope to help in my growing. Having fun searching for the little stuff Wizzy...later this year we will have to exchange notes.

5/3/2017 4:43:21 PM