Re: [compost_tea] Re: Sticky Gooey .

From: Robert Norsen <bnbrew_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 12:30:08 -0800 (PST)

Can't stay out of this one any longer. Besides the space and porosity Jeff suggests to take water like a sponge there are a couple other reasons why biology conserves water for plants.
1) Plants need less water if they are getting the nutrition they need with less water passing from roots to leaves. Nutrition is best when microbes surround and feed the roots.
 
2) Water is contained in slime. Something like the slippery stuff of slugs or Aloe that hold water far better than a pure (free) water. Slime may be repulsive to us but Slime is made by microbes and it is secure living space and one in which the microbe population feeds the plant roots. Slime can hold many times its dry weight in water and is stable. Not lost to gravity down or evaporation up Thus slime tends to hold vast amounts of water in the root zone where the microbes build the slime.
 
3) Don't know of any chemical product that adds either of those slick features grin.
Elaine - Would the slick slime also permit roots to penetrate the soil to go deeper. Ever get down there to see what is going on? Earth worms leave a trail of slime as they travel. Rain probably re-fills this slime to absorbe and hold water in the same tunnels that let water go deep in the soil. Bob of Bob's Brewers
Jeff Lowenfels <jeff_at_gardener.com> wrote:

TED:

I
disagree with the idea that tea is necessary OR sufficient to extend
the watering interval

ROOTS, MICROBIOLOGY, WORMS, BEETLES AND LARVAE:

We make lots of space in the soil. It fills up with water like a
reservoir and you get less run off and evaporation. This is why you
don't have to water as frequently.


Plant a Row in your garden to feed the hungry. Join Plant A Row for the
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Received on Tue Nov 09 2004 - 18:09:57 EST

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