Netelgier

Verschillende planten in potten hier in onze Bretoense tuin willen niet goed groeien. Moeten ze zich aanpassen aan de geest van Bretagne? De potten zijn toch groot genoeg. Ligt het aan de temperatuur? Bemesting? Dan maar wat brandnetelgier maken. Brandnetels enkele dagen in water laten trekken tot ze gedeeltelijk vergaan zijn en gaan gisten. Ik voeg er ook wat gezonde houtas aan toe.

Normaal gezien maakt men netelgier van 1 kg brandnetel op 10 liter regenwater. Dit laat je 14 dagen gisten zodat er stikstof en kalium vrij komt. Elke dag roeren om er zuurstof in te brengen. Om de geur wat tegen te gaan en voor extra voedingsstoffen eventueel wat gesteentemeel zoals lava of basalt toe voegen.
Netelgier is vooral geschikt om planten direct te voeden die echt stikstof nodig hebben zoals kolen, tomaat en prei. Overdrijf niet en leng het product aan met water in een verhouding van 1 liter gier op 10 liter water.

Biological Agriculture & Horticulture: An International Journal for Sustainable Production Systems. Volume 2, Issue 4, 1985. Effects of Nettle Water on Growth and Mineral Nutrition of Plants. I. Composition and Properties of Nettle Water
Nettle water (aqueous extract of Urtica dioica) was analyzed for mineral constituents (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, B, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo) and various chemical and physical parameters (pH, conductivity, buffer capacity, redox potential, dry matter, bacteria, auxin). Nettles were collected for extraction from three habitats (deciduous forest, meadow, dunghill) in May, June and August. A comparison was made between nettle water made from fresh and dry nettles, and effects of six month's storage of extracts were determined.
Nettle water has a high nitrogen content (30 to 40 mM), mostly as ammonium. Storage of nettle water increased the available nitrogen through mineralization of the organic fraction. Mineralization was maximal in the light at 20°C. Nettle water made from nettles gathered in spring had the highest NH4, P and K content, while late-summer nettles gave nettle water with highest Ca, Mg and S content. No appreciable differences were found between nettle water from different habitats. In contrast, there were large differences between years. Nettle water made from fresh and dry nettles differed little in chemical and physical parameters and mineral content. Nettle water might be used as a complete nutrient source for plants or as an additive during conditions of mineral shortage.

Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants. Volume 2, Issue 2, 1994 Use of Stinging Nettle as a Potential Organic Fertilizer for Herbs
Experiments were conducted to compare the responses of 4 greenhouse grown herbs to the aqueous extracts and ground leaf material of stinging nettle, Urtica dioica L., as compared with 3 standard organic fertilizers and 1 inorganic fertilizer incorporated into the growth media. Stinging nettle leaf extract and organic fertilizer significantly increased the growth of French tarragon and purple coneflower. Ammonium sulfate produced the most growth in sweet basil. Stinging nettle leaves applied as a dry powder at 16 g/l of soil produced the most growth in parsley. The results indicate stinging nettle, a nitrophilic weed, has the potential to be used as an organic fertilizer to replace other conventional fertilizers.