[compost_tea] Re: Making compost tea extract
Tad,
I will send you, via email, some Soil Food Web results that I got while I w=
as validating the LCE approach. This work was done a few years ago.
I have realized that there is no wrong or right, just what is appropriate a=
nd works. Keeping in mind that we are always in active negotiations with N=
ature as to the definition(s) for appropriate.
I have added up to 4000 ppm of Humic Acid to a controlled fermentation and =
stalled it. At another time, I have added 100 ppm of humic acid to a cont=
rolled fermentation and it stimulated growth.
My sense is that Humic Acid falls into the category where 'less is more'. A=
lso I have not found any source of humic acid (i.e. leanordite, peat, etc.)=
to be better or worse than another, as a pure compound.
For the nerds and geeks on this list, you may find it of interest to look u=
p "humic acid, acting as an electron shuttle, and Fe+2 iron availability in=
the soil via microbial action "
Humic acid wears many hats and is quite a dresser......
Mike Flynn
Green Quest LLC
BioSpecific LLC
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, Tad Hussey <tadhussey_at_...> wrote:
>
> 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 pos=
t, 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 aera=
ted
> 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 doin=
g
> research.
>
> I have to concur with Tim that I've found humic acid to be ineffective or=
even
> detrimental in large concentrations when used to make ACT. That being sa=
id, I
> think it has a bunch of other plant and soil benefits (primarily chelatio=
n), but
> that it's properties as a microbial food source may be overstated.
>
>
> ~Tad
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: mikethewormguy <mikethewormguy_at_...>
> 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 =
time of
> application, you combine the LCE and ACT portions together to get both di=
versity
> 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=
certain
> >microbes over others â€" and over time the microbial balanc=
e shifts due to
> >depredation of some species and explosive growth of others given the nut=
rient
> >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 act=
ivity or
> >concentrations of microbes that you get from an aerated compost tea, bec=
ause
> >you're not adding a food source to the brewer at the beginning of the cy=
cle.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > 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 la=
wn:
> >
> > 1. Extract 1 gallon of high quality vermicompost in 5 gallons of water =
for a 24
> >hour period. I stir, using a long handled spoon, vigorously each hour fo=
r 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 usin=
g 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 =
1hp
> >pump.
> > 6. Repeat monthly during growing season.
> >
> > So with this procedure I use around 1 cubic foot of vermicompost and 4 =
gallons
> >of 12% humic acid per season.
> >
> > Keep in mind that the LCE is a soil microbial inoculant where less used=
more
> >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.co=
m> ,
> >phishphan12_at_ wrote:
> > >
> > > Extraction is basically taking the microbes off of the compost withou=
t adding
> >any additional foods to the brew. This is what gives LCE its shelf life.=
You do
> >use roughly 10x the amount of compost used in tea brewing, so it does ha=
ve 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=
some
> >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 mic=
robes in
> >compost tea lessen the longer it sits. But there are a number of compani=
es that
> >sell compost tea extracts. So how does one take homemade compost tea and=
make 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 - 18:20:06 EDT
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