List of all biodynamic preparations: the canon 500–508 and its variants

Anyone getting into biodynamic practice soon comes across more than the familiar numbers 500 to 508: there are combinations, regional variants and further developments. This list sorts the field — from the binding canon after Rudolf Steiner to the common variations, each with its function in brief and, where certain, its origin.

The canon: the nine preparations 500–508

The core is formed by nine preparations that go back to Steiner's Agriculture Course of 1924. They are binding under Demeter.

The two field spray preparations are stirred in water and sprayed: horn manure (500), made from cow manure in a cow horn, the soil preparation; and horn silica (501), made from quartz in a cow horn, the preparation for light and ripening.

The six compost preparations (502–507) go into compost and farmyard manure and steer decomposition: yarrow (502), chamomile (503), stinging nettle (504), oak bark (505), dandelion (506) and valerian (507).

Then there is the horsetail preparation (508), sprayed as a tea or decoction against fungal pressure — a plant care agent with a special position. A detailed explanation of the canon is in the article What are biodynamic preparations?

Care and collective preparations

Beyond the narrow canon, some preparations have become established that build on the compost preparations. Barrel compost after Maria Thun (in German "Fladenpräparat") is a fermented mixture made from cow pats and the compost preparations that is easy to spread over a whole area. The Mäusdorf decomposition guide ("Mäusdorfer Rottelenker") is a related preparation, dried and ground, that mainly guides decomposition in slurry, manure and compost. The collective preparation ("Sammelpräparat") combines the compost preparations in one dried mixture — meant for farms that lack the individual preparations.

Further developments and regional variants

Over the decades, further forms have emerged in international practice. Well documented are:

Prepared horn manure (500P) goes back to the Australian pioneer Alex Podolinsky. It is horn manure (500) to which the compost preparations are added during making — a labour-saving combined form that is widespread in large-scale practice.

Cow Pat Pit (CPP) comes from Peter Proctor and is a variant developed for warmer climates in the tradition of barrel compost; Proctor spread it above all in India.

Horn clay — clay powder buried in a cow horn — is used in biodynamic practice (described by Masson among others) to support soil structure and the flow of sap.

Beyond that, regional special forms circulate, for example horn preparations with sulphur or copper in Italian viticulture and combinations such as "cornozolfo" (horn silica with sulphur) or "cornoequiseto" (horn silica with horsetail). These variants are less uniformly documented and not recognised everywhere — if you want to use them, check their origin and their compatibility with the Demeter standards.

What does not count as a regular preparation

Important for context: not every variation complies with Demeter. Sheathless "vegetable" preparations as well as potentised forms or forms "transmitted" by technical devices deviate from Steiner's indications and are not recognised under the Demeter requirements; at most they may be used in addition, for research purposes.

Frequently asked questions

How many biodynamic preparations are there?

Nine in the binding canon: two field spray preparations (500, 501), six compost preparations (502–507) and the horsetail preparation (508). In addition there are care and collective preparations and regional variants.

What is prepared horn manure (500P)?

Horn manure (500) to which the compost preparations have already been added — a combined form developed by Alex Podolinsky in Australia.

Are all variants recognised by Demeter?

No. The canon 500–508 and the recognised preparations are; vegetable, potentised or technically transmitted forms are not.