Re: [compost_tea] Re: pre-activation results

From: <soilfoodweb_at_aol.com>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 10:54:10 -0400
Hi Bob -

I know that you don't intend to hype your machines, but it does come out that way at times.  Effusive language about your product has the reverse effect of what you want it to have.  So, now that you understand that, just stick to facts about what your machine can and cannot do.  That will be so much more effective. 

You don't ant to run the critters out of food completely, but if you have to transport the tea, you want just enough food left after the 24 hours to hold the critters in an active state, but not have high O2 demand. 

If you are concerned that there won't be food on the leaves, then mix foods into the tea AS THE TEA GOES OUT.  Add food to the spray line as you are spraying. 

As you spray, the everythign goes flying through the air, you don't have to worry about oxygen.  The tea is in small droplets, surrounded by air.  On the leaf surface, the tea is a thin film on the plant surfaces, and thus fully aerobic.

Consider monitoring leaf bacterial and fungal activity to see if the leaves are covered, and if the organisms are present and active.  That tells you if the critters needed food added with them, or whether the leaves were not putting out the food the critters need to stay alive.  Jolly Farmer has some fascinating data on leaf growth and survival from last summer.  Check with Tim Livingstone about whether he'll come talk to your group about those results.  Maybe invite him to the next ICTC?

Elaine Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
SFI Corvallis, OR
SFI Port Jefferson, NY
SFI Lismore, NSW, Australia
SFI Hilversum, The Netherlands
SFI Cambridge, New Zealand
SFI Culiacan, Mexico
SFI Jerome, Idaho
http://www.soilfoodweb.com

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Received on Mon May 17 2004 - 11:33:09 EDT

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