IMO tea
How much IMO should I use in a 5 gallon batch? I've been using 1cup / 5 gallons. I brew 25 gals at a time; I end up with a bag of rice at the end of the brew period, is this normal? When making IMO2 should the rice 'dissolve' into the solution?
Top answer
the amount should be fine and in fact might even be a bit of overkill since in the LIMO we are propagating the microbes ....the rice is normal wile some will dissolve there will be a bunch that do not ....its best to make LIMO out of IMO3 cause propagated IMO (IMO3) has all ready gone through a process of propagation/activation and is better suited for LIMO then the hibernated IMO2
From the KNF library
From the KNF library
Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books
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Sep 2026
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5 sources
Drake's library backs the IMO3 advice already given: tea generally uses IMO3 or IMO4. (Cho's Solutions, p. 11)
For IMO3, Cho's method dilutes IMO2 500 to 1,000 times with water and mixes it with rice bran. (Cho, Theory, p. 54) A Hawaii trial used only 15 ml of IMO2 per batch of IMO. (Unravelling the Mysteries of KNF, p. 61)
On dilution, Drake usually brews 5 gallons of tea and adds it to a 55-gallon drum. He dilutes it 10 to 100 to 1 before spraying. (Office Hours Ep. 92, 37:17)
On rice, IMO2 starts as the contents of the collection box mixed with an equal weight of brown sugar. (Student's Manual, Basic Course, p. 44)
The library gives no ratio of IMO per gallon of tea. It also does not say whether rice should dissolve in IMO2.
Sources
- 37:17 Office Hours Ep. 92 (Sep 2023) — Seed IMO Black Spots, IMO Tea Dilution, 72lb Peach Tree · “Drake dilutes it more, usually 10 to 100 to 1, brewing 5 gallons and adding it to a 55-gallon drum before spraying.”
- p. 11 Cho's Solutions · “When used in a “tea” solution, IMO3 or IMO4 is generally used.”
- p. 61 Unravelling the Mysteries of KNF · “Only 15 ml of IMO 2 was used per batch of IMO.”
- p. 54 Cho, Theory · “Dilute IMO #2 by 500 to 1,000 times with water and mix with rice bran.”
- p. 44 Student's Manual, Basic Course · “Mix contents of box with equal weight of brown sugar and place in jar, 2/3 full”
1 more answer
Thx Dagoofman. I live in the city and don't have a good place to make IMO3. I may try this fall on my community garden plot after the growing season is over. This last batch is very sweet smelling and I suspect that I've used to much and will cut back on the next batch.
