Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) is one of the simplest Korean Natural Farming inputs you can make.
It provides a micro-dose of nitrogen while stimulating enzyme functions and growth hormones in seedlings and young plants.
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What Is FPJ?
In short, FPJ is a DIY fertilizer made by drawing enzymes, hormones, microbes, and nutrients out of plant debris with sugar.
This encourages various biological functions in plants it is applied to. It’s part of the Korean Natural Farming (KNF) system and is prized for its ability to aid in early plant growth.
Traditionally developed by Master Cho, this simple process utilizes the strength and vigor of the strongest plants to boost your young starts.
Ingredients
- Fresh, fast-growing plant material
- Brown Sugar (equal weight to plant material)
Equipment Needed
- Non-metallic jar or container
- Breathable cover (e.g. paper towel or cheesecloth with rubber band)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Choose the plant material
- Use plants that are already thriving in your environment. Use wild or homegrown plants—not ones recently fertilized or irrigated.
- If making Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ), use locally harvested, unwashed fruit–not store-bought.
- Harvest early
- Pick in the early morning, when the plant’s energy and moisture content are highest.
- Harvest only the young, vibrant growth—avoid yellowing or diseased material.
- Prepare material
- Lightly chop or bruise the material. Do not pulverize or blend.
- Weigh and mix with sugar
- Add equal weight sugar to the chopped material.
- Mix gently by hand, massaging to help the sugar draw out liquid.
- Let it rest for ~30 minutes to extract more juices.
- Wait until enough moisture has been drawn out so that the plant debris can be submerged in it’s own liquid.
- Jar it up
- Pack the mixture into a non-metallic jar, leaving a small amount of headspace in the jar to account for bubbles and expansion of materials.
- Optionally, add a glass fermentation weight (or a rock in a plastic bag) to help submerge the plant matter.
- You can also create a ½-1 inch thick sugar “cap” at the top to seal in the ingredients.
- Cover with a breathable lid (paper towel, cloth, etc.) held in place with a rubber band.
- Let sit in a warm, dark place for 5–7 days.
- Pack the mixture into a non-metallic jar, leaving a small amount of headspace in the jar to account for bubbles and expansion of materials.
- Strain and store
- After fermentation, gently strain off the golden-brown liquid. It should smell sweet and earthy.
- A mild alcohol scent is okay—no moldy or rotten odors.
- Store in a cool, dark place with a breathable lid, or refrigerate in a sealed jar.
- FPJ will keep for a year or more if stored properly.
How to Use FPJ
Use FPJ when starting plants from seed and during early growth stages. Apply it with Vinegar (VIN), Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), and Oriental Herbal Nutrient (OHN) as a part of your routine Maintenance Spray. It’s best to phase FPJ out in later growth stages as plants are developing flowers and fruit and they have greater need for other nutrients like calcium and phosphorus.
FPJ is also an ingredient in IMO3, IMO4, IMO5, and LIMO.
Get a printable recipe for FPJ by accessing our Resource Library below!