Re: [compost_tea] Re: Making compost tea extract

From: Tad Hussey <tadhussey_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:36:59 -0700 (PDT)

Mike,
Do you have any data to support this methodology? I'm not sure I see an
advantage to this method. Based on SS's comment, then wouldn't those LCE
organisms just get eaten by the active ACT organisms. As far as SS's post,=
 I do
agree that you will lose diversity over time (I've seen it many time when I=
 brew
too long), however, I haven't seen any data to suggest that you're losing =
a
large amount of your starting diversity in your compost by making an aerate=
d
compost tea.


I'm not saying that what either of you stated is wrong, just that I haven't=
 seen
any evidence to support it, but do find it to be curious. I think there's =
a lot
we still need to find out, and wish there were more people out there doing=
 
research.

I have to concur with Tim that I've found humic acid to be ineffective or e=
ven
detrimental in large concentrations when used to make ACT. That being said=
, I
think it has a bunch of other plant and soil benefits (primarily chelation)=
, but
that it's properties as a microbial food source may be overstated.


~Tad


________________________________
From: mikethewormguy <mikethewormguy_at_aol.com>
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, March 18, 2011 4:13:29 AM
Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Making compost tea extract

  


a possible option to consider is to take the liquid compost extract LCE),
subtract a portion volume out and make that volume into ACT. Then at the ti=
me of
application, you combine the LCE and ACT portions together to get both dive=
rsity
and activity.

I have used this 'combo' approach more for foliar applications.

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Stephen Steyn" <ssteyn_at_...> wrote:
>
> But you would have more diversity, because foods you add tend to favour c=
ertain
>microbes over others â€" and over time the microbial balance =
shifts due to
>depredation of some species and explosive growth of others given the nutri=
ent
>rich environment.
>
> SS
>
>
>
> From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On=
 
>Behalf Of Tad Hussey
> Sent: 17 March 2011 23:20
> To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Re: Making compost tea extract
>
>
>
>
>
> Keep in mind as well though, that you won't have the same microbial activ=
ity or
>concentrations of microbes that you get from an aerated compost tea, becau=
se
>you're not adding a food source to the brewer at the beginning of the cycl=
e.
>
>
>
>
>
> _____
>
> From: mikethewormguy <mikethewormguy_at_...>
> To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Thu, March 17, 2011 1:59:06 PM
> Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Making compost tea extract
>
>
>
>
>
> if you have a choice than always make the liquid extract fresh.
>
> Here is a simple&affordable DIY LCE approach I have used for my home lawn=
:
>
> 1. Extract 1 gallon of high quality vermicompost in 5 gallons of water fo=
r a 24
>hour period. I stir, using a long handled spoon, vigorously each hour for =
the
>first 4 hours and again each hour 4 hours prior to harvesting the liquid.
> 2. Filter out the solids using a 5 gallon paint strainer bag.
> 3. Dilute the extract liquid concentrate to 100 gallons with water using =
2-55
>gallon rain barrels with spigots.
> 4. Add 1 quart of 12% Humic Acid to each rain barrel. Mix well.
> 5. Apply the diluted liquid to 1 acre of turf using a hose and a Honda 1h=
p
>pump.
> 6. Repeat monthly during growing season.
>
> So with this procedure I use around 1 cubic foot of vermicompost and 4 ga=
llons
>of 12% humic acid per season.
>
> Keep in mind that the LCE is a soil microbial inoculant where less used m=
ore
>often is better than alot used less often.
>
>
> So use less compost, apply liquid monthly, and watch your soil improve.
>
> my 2 cents.....
>
> Mike Flynn
> Green Quest LLC
> BioSpecific LLC
>
> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com>=
 ,
>phishphan12_at_ wrote:
> >
> > Extraction is basically taking the microbes off of the compost without =
adding
>any additional foods to the brew. This is what gives LCE its shelf life. Y=
ou do
>use roughly 10x the amount of compost used in tea brewing, so it does have=
 its
>disadvantages too. Buying an extractors isn't cheap either, but I think in=
 the
>archives someone uses an old washing machine.
>
> >
> > Also, a lot of the bottled "teas" on the market are dormant spores or s=
ome
>other brew and other not really "teas". Do some homework.
>
> >
> > Matt
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "waynerz123" <wayner123_at_>
> > To: "compost tea" <compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
><mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> >
>
> > Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2011 2:59:26 PM
> > Subject: [compost_tea] Making compost tea extract
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > If I understand it correctly, and I am probably way off, the good micro=
bes in
>compost tea lessen the longer it sits. But there are a number of companies=
 that
>sell compost tea extracts. So how does one take homemade compost tea and m=
ake it
>dormant or give it a shelf life?
>
> >
> > The benefit of this would be to make one large batch and then aerate it=
 when
>needed/wanted.
> >
>


 


      

Received on Fri Mar 18 2011 - 18:20:02 EDT

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