Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense) can be made into a biodynamic preparation also known as Preparation 508. It is a ferment or ‘tea’ style preparation that can be applied directly to the soil, a plant or the atmosphere. Its purpose is to regulate the watery element brought on by too strong or too weak Moon forces.
By using 508, one can curb the strong Moon forces and encourage those forces when they are too weak. It is connected to light, with relation to the role silica plays. It is similar to 501 Horn Silica in this respect, although BD508 Preparation brings more silica than light – in sunny countries there is less need for so much light; indeed this can result in sunburn on vegetation. This is where 508 is so wonderful and really stimulates the silica role.
The 508 Preparation is used to control or limit fungal growth, especially powdery and downy mildew. It is both a preventative and curative preparation in low pressure scenarios.
Traditionally in Europe 508 is made with horsetail, which naturally grows where soil is disrupted. It is an herb with long needle-like leaves – an indication of silica which it needs to hold its very angular shape.
To make Preparation 508, the new growth is harvested at the base late spring to mid-summer, on a sunny dry day and dried on racks in the shade. Once dried it is then stored in hessian or paper bags until needed, to make sure there is no chance of mold.
There are two methods for making the preparation: Tea – add the dry horsetail to rainwater or stream water and boil covered in a saucepan or pot– use approximately 200-300g dried material in 10l water (If not dried you can use 1 to 1.5Kg in 10l water). Simmer for 20 minutes to an hour then leave for 24 hours to extract the silica.
Fermenting – Bring to the boil and simmer for up to 1 hour, transfer once cool into a barrel or earthenware vessel for around 2 weeks out of sunlight. The preparation should develop a slight sulfur smell once fermented. You can store this ferment in an airtight vessel in the dark for up to 6 months before using.
I prefer the fermentation process as better extraction of silica is obtained. The best time to spray is from sunrise to mid-morning because of the preparation’s link to light as with 501.
Preparation 508 is used on specific days within the Luna Calendar, 2 to 3 days before a full moon and following bad weather when the water forces are at their strongest, which is when there is the highest risk of fungal disease.
If there is infestation in the farm or garden it is applied to the foliage for 3 consecutive days to bring water conditions under pressure and bring the Silica influence to the farm or garden. This will be followed by an additional application 7 to 10 days later.
Additionally, if you’ve had mildew infestations in the summer then you can apply the preparation directly to the soil in autumn to work on the process in the soil where it overwinters and it will help with the pressure in the following season.
Unlike many biodynamic preparations BD508 Preparation is applied generously; you dilute 1:10 ratio and apply anything from 100 to 300L/Ha depending on the density of the crop.
Planetary relations – Saturn, the outer planets, comets and shooting stars. Can also be added to the compost with the other preparations, or mixed in with 500 and 501 during the last 20 minutes of the hour long stirring.
