[compost_tea] Papaya latex

From: Gerardo Sanchez <gersanch_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 12:11:58 -0500 (CDT)

Dear list members:
 
When I received Jeff Lowenfel´s workshop in Costa Rica, I remember he was very concerned about using the "jelly" inside "Aloe vera" leaves to use in the tea, but not about the covering or rind of those same leaves, since they contained extraneous substances potentially dangerous for microorganisms in the tea.
 
A friend of mine has papaya trees (Carica papaya) in the tropical Caribbean area of Costa Rica. He prepares some dishes with green papaya. He peels the fruit and applies those residual peelings, full with papaya latex, directly to the soil, expecting they act as a "natural" fertilizer.
 
I think that the latex, which is corrosive and irritating for human skin, may damage the soil. At least he should prepare some compost with the peelings before applying it to the soil.
 
However, I would like to know if somebody has any information that may validate my conjectures about the effect of green papaya peelings (having latex) on the soil eco-system.
 
Gerardo Sánchez
Costa Rica



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Received on Thu Jun 17 2004 - 13:49:20 EDT

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