Brewing Liquid Gold: Our Journey with Coral Cal Microbe Brew for Organic Cannabis

If there’s one thing  I’ve learned after years of organic cannabis cultivation, it’s that the soil microbiome is the true foundation of exceptional plants. Today, we’re excited to share our process for creating a powerful Coral Cal Microbe brew that has consistently elevated our grows to new heights. This living amendment has become our secret weapon between regular feedings, and we think it might just revolutionize your approach too.

Why Microbe Brews Matter in Organic Growing

Before diving into the recipe itself, let’s talk about why we’re so passionate about microbial brews. In nature, plants evolved alongside countless beneficial microorganisms that help break down nutrients, protect against pathogens, and enhance overall plant resilience. When we grow in containers, we’re essentially creating an isolated ecosystem that needs our help to maintain microbial diversity and activity.

A well-crafted microbe brew reintroduces and amplifies these beneficial organisms, creating a thriving rhizosphere that does much of the heavy lifting for us. This isn’t just theory - we’ve witnessed firsthand how plants respond with vigor, showing deeper green foliage, stronger stems, and ultimately, more impressive flowers when regularly treated with living amendments.

The Coral Cal Microbe Brew Recipe

Let’s break down our carefully refined recipe that has become our go-to solution between regular feedings:

Ingredients

1. Water Base (5 Gallons)
   We always start with warm, dechlorinated water. While tap water might seem convenient, we’ve found that reverse osmosis (RO), spring, or properly filtered water provides a clean slate for our microbes to thrive. The warmth (around 68-75°F) helps jumpstart microbial activity and ensures proper dissolution of our other ingredients.

2. Unsulfated Molasses (50ml)
   This is where many growers go wrong. We specifically use molasses without sulfates, as sulfur compounds can inhibit certain beneficial microorganisms. The molasses serves as the primary food source for our microbial army, providing simple carbohydrates that fuel explosive growth in beneficial bacteria and fungi populations.

3. Liquid Coral-Cal (16-20oz)
   This powerhouse ingredient deserves special attention. Coral-Cal delivers a perfect balance of calcium carbonate from marine sources, along with trace minerals that modern growing media often lack. We’ve found it creates an ideal environment for beneficial microbes while simultaneously addressing calcium deficiencies that can plague cannabis plants during heavy flowering.

4. OG Organics Sensi Cal Mag Extra (25ml)
   While our Coral-Cal provides substantial calcium, we’ve discovered that adding this small amount of Sensi Cal Mag Extra creates a more complete nutritional profile. The additional magnesium and calcium work synergistically, supporting chlorophyll production and strengthening cell walls. The difference was noticeable enough in our side-by-side tests that it’s now a permanent addition to our brew.

The Brewing Process

Our process has been refined through much trial and error, and we’ve settled on what works consistently for us:

1. Setup Preparation
   First, we select a container that’s larger than the 5-gallon final volume - this is crucial because the brew will develop a substantial foam head during aeration. A 7-8 gallon container usually provides adequate headroom.

2. Water Preparation
   We fill with our dechlorinated, warm water. If using tap water that’s been left out to dechlorinate, we recommend letting it sit for at least 24 hours before beginning the brew process, or treat it with humic/fulvic acids to neutrlize chlorine

3. Aeration System
   This is where many home growers cut corners, but proper aeration makes all the difference. We use a combination of two high-output air stones connected to a robust air pump. The stones are positioned at different depths to ensure maximum oxygen distribution throughout the solution.

4. Ingredient Incorporation
   We add ingredients in a specific order: first the molasses (which we pre-dissolve in a small amount of warm water), then the Coral-Cal, followed by the Cal-Mag supplement. This sequence prevents any unwanted reactions and ensures proper mixing.

5. The 24-Hour Brew
   Patience is key here. The full 24-hour brew time allows for optimal microbial colonization and activity. During this period, you’ll notice the solution becoming increasingly cloudy and developing that characteristic foam head we mentioned earlier. This is a good sign! Those bubbles indicate active microbial reproduction.

Application Best Practices

After countless growing cycles, we’ve developed some guidelines that help maximize the benefits of our microbe brew:

1. Use Fresh
   For optimal results, we apply the brew within 6 hours after the 24-hour brewing period is complete. The microbial populations are at their peak during this window.

2. Application Rate
   For established plants in 5-gallon containers, we typically apply 1-2 quarts of the solution, making sure to thoroughly saturate the entire soil volume. For younger plants or smaller containers, we adjust proportionally.

3. Timing Strategy
   We’ve had the best results applying this brew midway between regular feeding cycles, typically every 7-10 days. This keeps the soil biology consistently active without overloading the system with nutrients.

4. Temperature Consideration
   The soil should be slightly moist and not cold when applying the brew. We aim for applications during the early part of the light cycle when root activity is highest.

What to Expect: Results We’ve Seen

Perhaps you’re wondering if this additional effort is truly worth it. In our experience, absolutely. After implementing this brew as part of our regular regimen, we’ve observed:

• Noticeably improved resilience to environmental stressors

• Enhanced terpene profiles in the finished flowers

• Reduction in common calcium-related issues like leaf spotting

• More efficient nutrient uptake, requiring less overall feeding

• Improved soil structure and water retention over time

One particularly striking observation has been the difference in root development. Plants receiving regular microbe brews consistently develop more extensive, whiter, and healthier root systems than control plants. This stronger foundation translates directly to improved performance above ground.

Common Questions We’ve Encountered

Like pruning, brewing microbe teas is another topic that growers will have varied opinions on. What works great for some, might not work as well for others. Here are some questions we frequently address:

Can I substitute ingredients if I can’t find the exact ones listed?
While substitutions are possible, we’ve found this specific combination to work exceptionally well. If substituting, focus on finding a quality calcium source and unsulfated carbohydrate source for your microbes.

How do I know if my brew is successful?
A successful brew will develop a noticeable sweet, earthy smell (not putrid or foul), significant bubbling activity, and a light tan to white foam head. You may also observe a slight clouding of the liquid.

Can I store extra brew for later use?
We don’t recommend it. The microbial populations begin to decline after the initial brewing period due to resource competition. Fresh is always best.

 Crop steering through careful microbial management represents one of the most exciting frontiers in organic cannabis cultivation. This Coral Cal Microbe brew has become a cornerstone of our approach to creating a truly living soil that works in partnership with our plants.

Whether you’re an experienced organic grower looking to refine your process or just beginning to explore beyond synthetic nutrients, we encourage you to experiment with this brew in your own garden. The beauty of organic growing lies in this continuous process of observation, adjustment, and improvement.

Have you tried microbial brews in your cultivation? We’d love to hear about your experiences and any variations you’ve found successful in the comments below.

Happy growing!