Horn silica (501) for demeter certification
The contribution, measured
Time horizon: Ongoing
How it contributes
501 is one of the preparations Demeter requires; its application must be documented.
What to measure for this pairing
Why this goal matters
Demeter is the leading biodynamic certification. It requires the organic base plus the use of the biodynamic preparations, managing the farm as an organism, biodiversity quotas and its own cellar rules.
In practice, gaining and keeping Demeter is mostly a matter of doing — and proving. Every preparation application, operation and input has to be logged and traceable for the annual audit.
Goal indicators
Market & certification: The Demeter seal is a strong market differentiator and the formal goal of most biodynamic projects.
How to apply the practice
- 1Dynamise in water for an hour at dawn.
- 2Spray as a fine mist over the canopy early in the morning.
- 3Apply sparingly, on fruit/flower days.
- 4Log rate, plot and date.
Frequently asked
Can 501 cause sunburn?
Applied in excess or in intense heat, the boost in light activity can worsen stress. That is why it is applied sparingly and early in the morning.
When is 501 applied?
Mostly in the ripening phase, early in the morning and on fruit/flower days, to support photosynthesis and fruit definition.
Same practice, other goals
Same goal, other practices — Demeter
How GrapeFlow helps
The proof Demeter certification demands — logged by plot and date.
Biodynamic calendar
Root, leaf, flower and fruit days and the lunar phases in GrapeFlow, to plan preparation applications and work in step with the calendar.
Preparations & application log
Every application of 500, 501 and the other preparations logged by plot, date and rate — the history the Demeter audit asks for.
Tasting notes & analyses
Per-lot tastings and analyses over time, to relate the biodynamic programme to how the wine evolves.