For many years, farmers have observed the lunar cycle to optimize crop results.
As with the tides, people and other mammals, the gravitational force of the Moon affects plants since it influences their photosynthesis, the germination of seeds , the humidity of the earth or the movements of ascent and descent of the sap by the plant, reason why each lunar cycle is more suitable for a certain task related to the crop.
In addition to the different phases of the Moon, plants are also influenced by its distance from the Earth and its state. The cultivation based on the lunar cycle is called biodynamic and has been applied by different growers for many years.
THE PHASES OF THE MOON
There are four different phases of the Moon:
Table of Contents
FULL MOON :
The Moon is completely white. During this phase the sap is in the aerial part of the plant, there is a greater development of the foliage, so that all the activity related to the root system is diminished. It is not recommended during this phase to make cuttings .
RISING MOON :
The Moon is shaped like a D. The sap rises from the roots to the top of the plant. The ideal time to germinate and sow the seeds is at the end of this phase. Pruning is not recommended.
NEW MOON :
The Moon is completely black. It is a period during which the plant is at rest and reduces its activity so that very little development occurs. During this phase it is advisable to carry out pruning and transplants, in addition to being a good phase to fertilize, to control adventitious plants and in guerrilla cultivation , to eliminate the plants that hinder us.
WANING MOON:
The Moon is shaped like a C. In this phase the sap descends to the roots, so there is more root activity and it is a good phase to carry out activities related to this system such as making cuttings, transplants, cutting, rooting, fertilizing or watering .
CYCLES OF THE MOON
In addition to the four phases, the moon simultaneously goes through two cycles called ascending and descending. You can tell what cycle it is in by looking at the Moon’s height one day and comparing it with its height the next day. If it is higher it is in an ascending cycle, on the contrary, if it is lower it is in a descending cycle.
Up cycle:
The sap is concentrated in the aerial part of the plants, in the foliage. If you plan to take cuttings, use the last 2-3 days of this moon phase to cut the future cuttings. They will root strongly and rapidly as the Moon descends and the waning phase occurs.
Descending cycle:
The sap is concentrated in the part of the roots. It is the ideal time to root, germinate and sow the seeds, fertilize, transplant, prune and prepare the ground.
The orbit that the Moon describes is elliptical, so its distance from the Earth varies. The time when it is farthest from Earth is apogee and when it is closest to Earth is perigee . During the apogee and perigee and the days before and after it is not advisable to work with the plants.
In addition, the orbit of the moon coincides twice with the orbit of the Earth. This moment, called node , occurs approximately every 28 days and can be ascending , when it coincides with the ascending or descending Moon , when it coincides with the descending lunar cycle. It is not advisable to work with the plants during the nodes and the days before and after.