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Vital Force Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More

 

     Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More is a customized blend of 12 ingredients, each with distinct functions.  It provides an enhanced combination of nutrients for plant growth and development, and promotes the biological activity of soil to maximize growth potential.

Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More is designed to provide a baseline of nutrients required by plants during the early growth phase, prior to the initiation of flowering.  For best results, Flowers ‘N’ Fruits & More should be added when the flowering phase begins.

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     Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More is most effective when applied along with Soil Energizer during planting/transplanting, according to label rates.  Repeat applications can be made every two weeks via top dressing to reinforce Soil Energizer function, up until transition to the flowering phase. For plants that do not produce flowers and/or fruits, such as leafy greens and root vegetables, Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More may be used until harvest.

 

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Functions of Vital Force Ingredients:

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Ecochar

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      The base of Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More is Ecochar, a revolutionary biochar made from a range of sustainably recycled farm waste materials.  In this product, we use Ecochar made from dried distiller’s grain sourced from a bioethanol plant.

 

     Biochar has long been recognized as capable of providing many important soil properties and functions necessary to maintain soil health, fertility and function, ensuring proper plant growth and performance.  One big advantage of Ecochar over other types of biochars, specifically those made from wood, is its high nutrient content. Wood biochars tend to be very nutrient poor.  If added to soil without prior nutrient loading, they can tie up the existing nutrients and prevent them from being available to plants and other soil biology.  Ecochar comes preloaded with nutrients, minimizing any potential nutrient tie up.

 

Some recognized benefits of adding Ecochar to soil include:

  • Improves tilth and reduces soil bulk density

  • Increases soil water holding capacity

  • Increases cation exchange capacity (CEC - the ability to hold onto and transfer nutrient cations: ammonium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium)

  • Increases anion exchange capacity (AEC - the ability to hold onto and transfer nutrient anions: nitrate, sulfate, phosphate)

  • Improves fertilizer utilization by reducing leaching from the root zone

  • Retains minerals and nutrients in a plant available form

  • Helps plants resist stressful conditions

  • Supports soil microbial life and biodiversity

 

Humates

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      Humates are a recognized critical aspect of soil fertility and plant nutrition. Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More uses a uniquely processed, water-soluble humic acid that is added to the Ecochar, along with a rock mineral product (see Azomite below), to provide an enhanced biochar. Some recognized benefits that humic substances provide include:

  • Improves soil texture

  • Increases water retention

  • Increases cation exchange capacity

  • Alleviates excess salt buildup

  • Increases nutrient availability and uptake

  • Improves seed germination

 

Azomite

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      In addition to the soluble humate product, we also include Azomite, a well-recognized and widely used rock powder, to help promote soil remineralization. This product is added along with the soluble humate to formulate our enhanced Ecochar product. The main purpose of this addition is to help ensure the EcoChar is charged with essential mineral nutrients, including micronutrients vital for soil biology, plant health and function. 

 

Microbial Food Sources (Prebiotic Component)

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      A major component of Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More is the addition of a range of sustainably sourced components, commonly referred to as “prebiotics”.  They serve as a source of nutrition for naturally occurring microbes in commercial soils, and for the microbial component of Soil Energizer. Just as with human nutrition, soil health (and by extension plant health) is promoted via a balanced diet.  This is why Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More has eight distinct “prebiotic” components.  The inclusion of such a varied list of microbial foods is partly because the prebiotic components have different capabilities in terms of what types of microbes are stimulated. This ensures that we provide a viable food source for the widest possible range of microbial organisms. In addition, the prebiotics have different breakdown profiles, with some having a rapid and short-term feeding rate, others having a slower and more long-term feeding rate. This helps ensure the longest possible stimulation of the soil’s biological component.

 

 

Breakdown profiles of Roots ‘N’ Shoots & More Prebiotic Components

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1. Blood Meal -                  Rapid

2. Feather Meal -                Slow - Moderate

3. Soybean Meal -              Moderate

4. Kelp Meal -                    Moderate

5. Alfalfa Meal -                 Slow-Moderate

6. Bat Guano -                    Rapid

7. Worm Castings -             Slow-Moderate

8. Meat and Bone Meal -    Moderate

To purchase Ecochar or Vital Force, visit our shop here.  If you have any questions about our technology, installations, products, or general inquiries, contact Shane McGolden at 812-455-9258 or ShaneMcGolden@gmail.com.
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