SES for Root Soaking
So is it 48 hrs bare roots drying, then soak for 12 hours in SES solution, what is the best way to ensure success for the transplants, we had the opportunity to get some fruit trees saplings from a friends farm, they have been drying for 36 hrs with the leaves on. Any help would be greatly appreciated, we are in Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Top answer
I bought a peach tree which was already in a pot. I ended up shaking off all the soil then letting it dry out for a couple of days. I created the SES solution and let the peach tree soak for 24 hours then planted. I have to say that the tree looks really healthy right now producing flowers as the spring time weather is here. Sounds like you are on your way. Let us know what you did and how it came out.
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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4 sources
Drake advises against a long bare-root period. He says to stop watering potted saplings for two days, then add lactobacillus to help them revive. (Office Hours Ep. 29, 17:00)
For the soak itself, the library gives 15 minutes in seed soak solution, after withholding water. That is far shorter than 12 hours. (Office Hours Ep. 27, 52:37)
The library gives two dry periods. One talk says two days without water (Office Hours Ep. 29, 17:00). Another says three days (Office Hours Ep. 54, 31:20).
The planting steps Drake gives for a tree:
- Dig a pyramid-shaped hole, 12 in wide and 6 in deep. (Office Hours Ep. 54, 31:20)
- Cut the taproot. (Office Hours Ep. 54, 31:20)
- Soak the roots in seed soak solution and spread them. (Office Hours Ep. 54, 31:20)
- Put mulch and IMO on top, not in the hole. (Office Hours Ep. 54, 31:20)
- Plant fruit trees shallow, without fertilizer. (Cho, Theory, p. 112)
The library says nothing about drying with the leaves on, or about growing conditions in Bocas del Toro.
Sources
- 52:37 Office Hours Ep. 27 (Apr 2022) — knfFuel Mold, Jadam Pasture Recovery, OHN & Alcohol · “before transplanting, withhold water and rotate the pot 90 degrees to stress it, then bare-root it in seed soak solution 15 minutes.”
- 17:00 Office Hours Ep. 29 (May 2022) — Red Dirt for IMO4, Storing IMO3/IMO4, Spotting Bad KNF Ferments · “Don't bare-root that long; just stop watering potted saplings for two days, then add lactobacillus to help them revive.”
- 31:20 Office Hours Ep. 54 (Oct 2022) — Water-Soluble Phosphoric Acid, Chitin, Bare-Root Tree Planting · “Dig a pyramid-shaped hole (12in wide, 6in deep), cut the taproot, deny water 3 days, soak roots in seed soak solution, spread roots, then mulch and IMO on top, not in the hole.”
- p. 112 Cho, Theory · “Fruit trees are planted shallow and without fertilizers.”
1 more answer
Basically the same thing, dried for 36 hours, seed soaked for 12, they are looking dead though, I checked in with Drake during the Office Hours and he said to leave it in the pot or bag just dont water it for two days, then remove the dirt cut the tap root and seed soak for 1-2 hours. Can't say the trees are looking very good right now but they may come back
