Not too wet
I've been juicing fruits and vegetables everyday and since then, I've been tossing all of the left over juice pulp in y compost This is probably giving my compost too much nitrogen all at once, so it started getting soggy and matted, and once that happens in your compost for whatever reason, it will start to stink a little. It's because anaerobic bacteria; the bad guys will decompose matter where there is no oxygen and high moisture. They give off a bad smell and slimy green stuff. 
To get the good guys back in, you should introduce oxygen back to the mix. This could easily be done by either laying out the compost for a while, and mixing it back together. Compost does happen fast in Kuwait, so do take advantage of the hot summer.
Comments
Hello Ahmad,
You’re right, I’ll be adding shredded paper and cardboard, as sawdust takes forever to compost. It’s still great though.
Alzainah
I do not necessarily know a lot about composting, just biochemistry.
Good idea about not breathing any gases, I’ve inhaled way too many in laboratories.
I have no idea where to find red clay and that is what I am trying to find. I’ll search some more since I need some for my aquarium. It is just a way to add iron and something with cation exchange capacity (CEC) to hold onto nutrients for the plants although the peat you’re adding to the soil has more than enough CEC.
Yes cat litter with anti-odour elements are dangerous but you can find some. One I did find was at Sultan Center labeled Pura. Supposedly its made from bentonite and pretty much nothing else even in the way of anti-clumping agents. I added some to water and it formed a sludge so I suppose it is true. I’ve also read studies about bentonite increasing yields in South East Asia but it was used for rice which prefers a clay rich soil. If you ever thought about growing plant which requires a clay soil to thrive you’ll know where to look.
I studied biochemistry/molecular biology type of stuff. Funnily enough, the most fun and interesting course I took was plant tissue culture which was from another major (botany). I sort of regret not majoring in it.
Thank you for the hydroponics website, I was searching for a micronutrient mix and found some at a hydroponics website here in Kuwait but was discouraged when I found out is closed. Not too surprising since everyone thinks using “agricultural sand” (really sea sand – test it with vinegar and see the bubbles) is enough, nevermind (Nirvanaaaaaa!!) organic matter, micro/macro nutrients etc.
A related story, my aunt has a few bonsai trees that are on the verge of dying (3+ year old peat moss mix with far too frequent watering = none remaining synthetic fertilizers + depleted organic matter + fungus). I added some potassium nitrate, calcium phosphate, potassium, magnesium sulphate, a micronutrient mix and less than a week later its sending shoots, new leaves and showing good growth. She asked me what I did and told her that it needed added nutrients, changing the soil and you watered it too frequently. She looked at me as if I was insane!
I’m thinking of growing San Marzano tomatoes and italian basil hydroponically. Just so I can make pizza so that is my motivation. I’ll probably start when I see some results from the planted aquarium.
You’re very welcome and sorry about babbling for too long.
Hello there Fatboa,
You seem to know a lot about composting, thank you for your tips.
I’m pretty sure it’s not H2S, and probably ammonia, I am very careful not to breath in any gases from my compost, especially if it’s steaming hot.
I have not heard of red clay being used as a soil conditioner, if you can let me how to get it here, I’d experiment with it.
Isn’t cat litter with anti odor elements dangerous? I’ve read to never use it in compost.
What did you study in college? Hydroponics is a very interesting field. You might be interested in the products featured in this new shop http://www.biohydrokw.com/ owned by a very passionate hydroponics grower.
Yes! Cooking with quality ingredients is really a privilege.
Thank you very much for your kind words, I appreciate the encouragement.
Alzainah
The bad smelling gas may be hydrogen sulfide – be very careful not to inhale (smells like rotten/overcooked eggs/cabbage? same odour) It can also be ammonia (too much nitrogen -> a lot of ammonium) – also bad. Those obligate anaerobes have funky metabolism
Do not worry about anaerobic bacteria – you want those guys too
I am setting up a live planted aquarium so the soil/compost parts cross over very well. I fully understand how frustrating it may be to find/setup these type of projects where there is no support (although much easier to do than a planted aquarium!)
Just a question, did you find a source for red clay? Red clay (not modelling clay found in il maktabat) is rich in iron so it would greatly help terrestrial or aquatic plants. You can try to add some to whatever you are trying to plant next to see if any positive effect is noticed as an experiment.
Can’t find red clay? Kitty litter is bentonite/molar clay. Don’t ask how I know…….
I am thinking of doing hydroponics since I pretty much have most of the necessary equipment and I would hate to waste what I learned from college. Once I learned that berries need 2-3 years before fruiting I hesitated a bit….
I also like to cook and finding good vegetable/fruit ingredients is hard enough especially in summer. I miss the taste of vine ripe cherry tomatoes but alas, so is life. Never mind Italian basil :(
A very lovely blog. Keep up the good work.
Where did you find the mineral rock? It is called dolomite (CaCO3)? Your egg shells are the almost same thing. Thank you for the idea by the way, Kuwait tap water is soft (low dissolved minerals) since it is basically desalinated sea water. I think they use reverse osmosis? which would explain the soft water. So eggshells would increase the mineral content (increase hardness) since the new leaves on my plants seem twisted, possibly from a calcium deficiency.
It is true, there is nothing زراعي about it. I suspect it is just rinsed sand from the sea (it has a high carbonate salt content, add vinegar and it will bubble vigorously for 24hours+ !)
Chemistry is not that confusing, life is basically chemical reactions but I won’t bore you with the details :P
It seems that your compost is quite good. Perhaps some day I’ll try it. Thank you for the tips, hopefully they will be implemented quite soon.
Thank you for your kind wishes, I graciously extend the same towards you Green Thumb ambassador of Kuwait.
Bader
That’s very interesting!
I use mineral rock dust as an organic supplement for my soil.
I regret not studying botany as well, the gardening bug hit me too late.
I hate how they call sand “تربة زراعية” too, there’s nothing زراعي about it.
It’s amazing how you saved your aunt’s tree. I find the chemistry confusing, so I’m glad that my compost solves everything, so I dont have to figure it out.
San marzano tomatoes are nice and pasty, jus watch out for blossom end rot, which can sometimes happen to plum tomatoes, usually its a calcium deficiency or uneven watering, I’d add eggshells to the planting hole, but with hydroponics you know your stuff. Grow Genovese basil, which is absolutely gorgeous and goes very well with Italian dishes. Best of luck! And keep me posted on your successes :)
Alzainah
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