Asked by donaldsanford6914 ·January 9, 2019 ·7.79k readers

When and how to use I'm?

So I've made imo2. my collection wasn't the best but it was my first successful collection so I kept it and made imo2. I get how to make imo3 but it's not allot as far as amount goes so I'm wondering can I just add the imo2 to my garden beds now or do I need to make it into imo3 or even 4 or liquid imo? The book tells all about it and the directions r fine but I'm having a hard time knowing when and how to actually use imo and how to use it at the different stages, if possible? Please help. Oh and another reason why I'm thinking of just using it as imo2, if possible, is cause there was a hole in the clay pot I stored it in so the liquid made from the raw sugar and imo1 mix (imo2) spilled out and ants completely ate all the liquid before I had a chance to change containers and try and salvage the liquid lost.

imo

From the KNF library

From the KNF library Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books · Sep 2026 · 5 sources

Cho's guide labels IMO2 as stable storage. (Cho's Solutions, p. 11) It names IMO4 for top dressing and IMO5 for feeding established crops. (Cho's Solutions, p. 11)

So Drake would not put IMO2 straight on the beds. Make IMO3 from it. IMO2 is ready to be made into IMO3 3-7 days after mixing. (Cho's Solutions, p. 17)

You don't need much IMO2 for that. The IMO3 recipe moistens the pile to 60% with IMO2 at 1:500. (Cho's Solutions, p. 18) The pile is 1 part wheat mill run to 1 part wood chips by volume. (Cho's Solutions, p. 18)

Your collection doesn't have to be perfect. Drake once called a B/B-minus collection acceptable and fine to propagate. (Office Hours Ep. 110, 21:59) IMO2 can be stored up to 3 years at room temperature. (Cho's Solutions, p. 17) Under a year or two old, it still activates fine for IMO3. (Office Hours Ep. 11, 58:52)

These sources don't cover the ant spill or liquid IMO, so bring those to the show.

Sources

58:52 Office Hours Ep. 11 (Nov 2021) — Fish Amino Acid vs Hydrolysate, IMO Heat, Seed Soak Storage · “Yes, if the IMO2 is under a year or two old it will still activate fine.”
21:59 Office Hours Ep. 110 (Jan 2024) — Jadam Pear & Grape Orchards, IMO Grading, Lime Sulfur · “Yes, it's acceptable — a B/B-minus, pulled a little early but still fine to propagate.”
p. 11 Cho's Solutions · “IMO2 Stable Storage High School”
p. 17 Cho's Solutions · “3-7 days after mixing IMO2 is ready to be made into IMO3”
p. 18 Cho's Solutions · “Moisten to 60% moisture content with 1:500 IMO2”

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