[compost_tea] Re: Alaska Humus- 48 hours of feeding and no critters
Damn. I hate yahoo
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Tim Wilson" <thegoodjob_at_...> wrote:
>
> This is just a test to see if my response was lost.
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "burnhampatricia_at_" <patriciaburnham@>=
wrote:
> >
> > Hi Tim,
> >
> > Thanks so much for your thoughtful answer, that does make sense.
> >
> > I was curious to see what all the fuss was about with Alaska humus, so =
I purchased some and took a look at it under the microscope when it arrived=
- nothing moving -- hense the first email.... thought I might have been co=
mpletely on the wrong track.
> >
> > Since the first post, I have been feeding the humus with fish hydrolyse=
for close to 48 hours, --- so far there are no critters. I do think I mig=
ht have some fungi starting to grow which is exciting.
> >
> > I have been doing lots of looking at my worm compost, and other things,=
so do know what flagellates, cilia, bacteria and bacteria strands look lik=
e (although my spelling might be off). I have to admit, I am not sure I can=
identify a cyst.
> >
> > Any suggestions? am I just being too impatient?
> >
> > Thanks again for your help
> >
> > Patricia
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Tim Wilson" <thegoodjob_at_> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi Patricia,
> > >
> > > My take: In substances like the Alaska humus and Canadian Sphagnum pe=
at moss, the material has aerobically decomposed to a degree and then had t=
he decomposition stopped (and sometimes started again off and on) by being =
submerged in water and/or frozen. When this decomposition is halted the aer=
obic microorganisms form cysts and other stages of dormancy. In this state =
many microbes can remain viable indefinitely. When the substance is harvest=
ed and exposed to oxygen the organisms come to life again, feeding on the h=
igh levels of carbon and if you use it in soil or provide feedstock (like m=
olasses in compost tea) the microbes multiply even more.
> > >
> > > Tim
> > >
> > > --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "burnhampatricia_at_" <patriciaburnh=
am_at_> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > question- if Alaska Humus is from ancient humus deposits, does this=
mean the organisms are also ancient?
> > > > sorry if this is a dumb question... but doesn't make sense to me ho=
w one would grow active bacteria, protozoa and fungi from such a material.
> > > > Your help is appreciated
> > > > Patricia Burnham
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
Received on Sun Jan 23 2011 - 21:50:28 EST
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: Tue Feb 07 2012 - 13:58:03 EST