Re: [compost_tea] Practical Questions

From: soilfoodweb@aol.com
Date: Thu Jan 23 2003 - 03:20:24 EST


In a message dated 1/22/2003 3:57:02 PM Pacific Standard Time, fscb@yahoo.com
writes:


> 1. When we spray compost as a soil drench or as a
> foliar spray, do we need to take out the filters so we
> aren't screening out the fungi? (For example, our
> farm uses a Fimco 14 gal sprayer, which has 2 pretty
> standard sized screens.) Additionally, most of us
> generally run anything we are going to spray through
> something like a pair of pantyhose, to avoid plugging.
> Will this capture the fungi we worked so hard to
> grow?

The large size openings on the panty hose should not take out the fungi. Try
to make the mesh size of the bag you put the compost into smaller than the
nozzle openings on your sprayer. Then there should not be any need to
screen.

> 2. In the Kansas City area, we benefit from the
> southern heat and the northern cold, which means that
> we'd be brewing compost tea in 100 degrees plus as
> well as days that get into the teens. How will this
> affect the microorganisms? Can we brew it in the
> shade (90s) or will we need to find a cooler spot?
>
Benefit? :-) The microbes need more sugar in the winter, and none when
the temps reach more than 90 degrees. You might want to use a tank heater in
the winter, and ice in the summer. Start with cold water in the summer, and
warm water in the winter.


3. Elaine mentioned some research that was being done>
> on e. coli as it moved through the digestive tract of
> earthworms. Has anything more been done on this so we
> have some research to defend us if/when we get into
> trouble with our organic certifying agency for using
> vermicompost?

We are doing this research as we speak, and will be presenting it at the B&
B/Full Circle annual meeting coming up in Feb. Very interesting results so
far!

Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
www.soilfoodweb.com



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