Is there any organic substitute for keto then you are making muck? I just watched the muck creation by ryan thank you
BD
Microwaved cornstarch slurry, according to Michael Hagedorn
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50% clay (or akadama dust} 50% fine shredded peat./ Michael Hagedorn mix/ or I wade into the silt filled pond and get a bucket off the bottom mixed with sphagnum moss.
Try it on an inexpensive nursery plant and see what works in your climate.
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Does he have any info describing his process online? I’ve looked and haven’t found anything yet. I’m assuming it’s part of his premium content.
There’s this hidden away in the comments
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what consistency should the muck be? Mine stays consistently soft/soggy
I assumed it would firm up a bit over time, but doesn’t seam to.
I found a slightly longer version as well:
“ I’ve been trying something new this past year, having never been happy with traditional keto muck because of its hard and nearly water-imperviousness when dry. The first time was with my first apprentice Bobby Curttright, with the hemlock growing out of the rock that we did last spring. Since then we’ve used this several times, and I continue to appreciate it’s flexibility of use.
This idea comes from Hawaii, adding corn starch as a binder. Roughly (and you can adjust proportions according to need): 1/3 small akadama plus dust, 1/3 long fibered sphagnum moss (not peat), and 1/3 corn starch. The trick is how you treat the corn starch. Before adding them together, take the corn starch and mix it in some water, then pop it in the microwave. You might have to add more water and cook it several times, but you want a jelly. Then add that to the others.
We’ve found that more corn starch than 1/3 is often needed.
It’s very pliable, and forms a dense mass once it’s dried a bit that has great penetrability when watered.”
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If the mix is too wet, wrap it in a rag and twist both ends to extract excess water. Same process as removing excess moisture from shredded potatoes!!! For you latke lovers out there. 
I like it pliable enough to form a dam on the slab, or to close in an opening in a stone planting.
It needs to be able to allow water to soak into it and eventually evaporate or drain away so the roots are not water logged.
Best method to learn is to get your hands dirty… then please wash them before making Christmas cookies. 
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It’s was a good consistency when I made and applied it, but after water the tree and heavy rain, it went very soft. It’s still holding together but I can squidge it around. I hope it would kind of set.