Re: [compost_tea] Re: pre-activation results

From: Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net>
Date: Sat, 15 May 2004 11:48:46 -0700

I don't like bags. I use the free suspension method. Tests I have done in=
dicate that I get better fungal extraction and everything seems to work mor=
e quickly. I design my brewers with this in mind. I have bought and tried=
 bag systems and chamber systems and even tried designing some of my own bu=
t all were less successful than free suspension in my experience.

Bags:

Are hard to maintain
Restrict fungal extraction
Contribute to anaerobic conditions because the center of the bag rarely get=
s air unless you add an additional air stone in the center of the bag.
Are difficult to clean.
Are messy.

Chambers:

Are hard to maintain
A little better fungal extraction
Contribute to anaerobic conditions (see bags above)
Are difficult to clean but less so than bags.

Free Suspension:

Clean
Maintenance free
Can contribute to anaerobic conditions if your aeration isn't adequate.
Are easy to clean.

The only drawback with free suspension is that you have to filter the tea a=
fter you brew. Depending on how you do this, you could restrict the amount=
 of fungi, protozoa and nematodes that get applied. I have tried gravity e=
xtraction and I use an extraction pump (Wayne models) and tested my fungal =
and protozoa counts before and after extraction. After the counts were sli=
ghtly less but I don't think the amount was significant enough to make the =
system unusable. I would extimate a 10 to 15% reduction in higher level cr=
itters. Biomass seemed about the same density but in smaller clumps. I te=
sts with a 1000 x Spencer Microscope.

Ted Peterson
EW/SOE
Are messy.



  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Margaret Lauterbach
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 4:59 AM
  Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Re: pre-activation results


  Ted, what kind of bag do you put your compost in for brewing tea? Thanks=
 
  very much


>Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net> wrote:
>Yes, we can predict. Remember though that we are dealing with billions =
of
>microscopic creatures. So I think that excat numbers my not be so
>important in a predictive sense but ranges of critters and diversity sho=
w
>"x" results. Tea does work. I have test data that shows it works just=
 
>the way it says in the Compost Tea Brewing Manual. That is pretty
>predicitive as far as I am concerned.
>
>
>You don't need to find a compost, you can make one. Here is a quick way=
 
>to jumpstart your compost pile.
>
>Start with a bag of commercial compost. You can even brew with it. It=
 
>will work but you will be uncertain as to diversity. Go around your loc=
al
>area and pick up some of the leaves and humus under the trees. Go to a=
 
>bunch of places and take a 2G bucketful from each place. Get the old
>rotting leaves at the bottom not the newly dropped green leaves. Plasti=
c
>garbage bags work great. Try to get a ratio of about 50/50 with the
>leaves and humus you pick up and your commercial compost. Dump both
>together and keep it about 45% moist. How do you know that level of
>moisture? Grab a handful and squeeze it. It should stay lumped togethe=
r
>without being muddy. If you get it too wet, don't fret, it will dry
>out. Turn this pile with a shovel or pitchfork every couple of days.
>
>If you have a brewer, you can keep a little of the compost and the humus=
 
>you collect and brew a batch of tea. Put in molasses, fish emulsion
>(fertilizer will work), some kelp and some humic acid. (I have even use=
d
>ammonium sulfate but I like organic inputs. The AS works and I use it f=
or
>certain processing but I'm not a real fan. If you use this stuff, dilut=
e
>it a lot and use it with caution. To much can have adverse effects on t=
he
>critters.). What you are going to do is use the commercial compost as a=
n
>organic material base then build a pile using your local leaves and humu=
s
>to give the most local diversity. Don't expect this pile to heat up lik=
e
>a regular compost pile and you should try to keep temps around 90 - 100=
 
>dF. If you have a source of manure, you can add that but, depending on=
 
>the compost you start with, you may not need any.
>
> Anyway, brew a batch of tea and pour it on your compost pile. Dependi=
ng
> on your brewer, you will probably need no more than a couple of
> gallons. Pour it in as you turn the pile so you get it into as much of=
 
> the pile as you can without getting the pile too wet. Let this pile st=
ay
> around for about 2 - 3 weeks. You should have good fungal growth and
> your bacteria should be reactivated in the commercial and growing from=
 
> your local stuff. If you keep it turned, you will be promoting the
> aerobes and they will multiply.
>
>
>Ted Peterson
>EW/SOE

  Margaret L
  Gardening in Intermountain West and Handicapped gardening
  http://www.margaretlauterbach.com



        Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
              ADVERTISEMENT
             
       
       


---------------------------------------------------------------------------=
---
  Yahoo! Groups Links

    a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/compost_tea/
      
    b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    compost_tea-unsubscribe_at_yahoogroups.com
      
    c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service=
.





Received on Sat May 15 2004 - 15:45:11 EDT

This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.0 : Tue Feb 07 2012 - 14:15:16 EST