Research at Quail Botanical Gardens

Pine & Redwood Rehabilitation research is being conducted at Quail Botanical Gardens by the director of horticulture, Tim Phillips, and trustee, Don Trotter. The pinetum (pine grove) at Quail was in serious decline. Several trees were determined to be in death throes of multiple needle flushes. The stems were shrinking and the bark was cracking. The pinus Montezuma and pinus Patula were considered to be past saving. The test trees got an application of a thin layer of Kelzyme®, fossilized sea kelp, a one (1) inch layer of worm castings, and a covering of two inches of compost around the root pattern. Don Trotter's research has shown that Kelzyme® provides a very positive synergy with the worm castings as well as supplying the needed calcium source for strengthened plant cell walls. Within six weeks, all of the treated pines showed positive rehabilitation. The two trees in worst jeopardy, Montezuma and Patula, turned the corner and are showing a real return to health. All of the treated pines are showing large bud growth with the stems beginning to swell with nutrition growth. The pine rehabilitation is showing real promise.

Quail Botanical Gardens also had three redwoods that had been determined to have died. Two trees were removed and the third was scheduled for removal. The removal of the last redwood was delayed to try the Kelzyme® /worm castings treatment. New growth began to show within five weeks. It appears that this tree will also now be saved.

The San Diego Zoo found that the adult pandas did not like the bamboo raised at the Zoo. But the pandas love the organically grown bamboo, fed with worm castings that is raised at Quail Botanical Gardens. The Zoo harvests fresh bamboo every other day for the pandas.

The research at Quail Botanical Gardens provided the evidence that a switch could be made to all nontoxic methods to eliminate toxic run-off. A key component for this method uses worm castings & Kelzyme®. The City of Encinitas made a proclamation of thanks to QBG for this elimination of toxicity and began their own investigation to be able to switch all city parks and city recreation areas to the same treatment methods.