[compost_tea] Re: Organic Blueberry growers
I'm unclear on the potential for pH change over time using compost tea. Whe=
re I lived previously the soil leveled out at around 6.4 with consistant CT=
applications. A friend who grew hydrangeas (blue) obviously had acidic soi=
l yet used compost tea exclusively for years. I've now moved to an acid soi=
l region so I'll know more later. With blueberries and other woody perennia=
ls a fungal population preserves an acidic environment. If I were planting/=
growing blueberries I'd check out the type of mycorrhizal which facilitates=
its nutrient uptake. It is a type of ericoid fungi which is endomycorrhiza=
l but also appears ectomyc. as well so is referred to sometimes as a third =
type (although I suspect many more). One may be able to get spores into the=
root zone.
If faced with a fungal disease like mommy berry, I'd consider spraying and =
inoculating with trichoderma harzianum strain 22. It is voracious fungi whi=
ch eats other fungi. I'd try growing it out overnight in a pail of water wi=
th molasses (2 tablespoons) then spray/water it on all surfaces. [note; I'v=
e not tried this; it just makes sense] I think if the water turns greenish =
overnight, you have growth or look for the hyphae through the scope. I'll t=
ry some research on this in 2011 but I guess one reason people (including m=
e previously) have had little success is due to just spraying on the spores=
which might immediatley die.
Compost tea works to suppress disease over an extended period by helping to=
balance the life of the soil. It is not instant.
IMO a cause of fungal disease is the overuse of phosphorous. Kathleen; Ask =
your associate if they are using heavy P.
Salutations,
The not smarter than anyone else Tim from Canada
--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, Shawn Turner <shawndturner_at_...> wrote:
>
> This is why I did not add compost tea to my blueberries. I figured =
the PH would change. I know blueberries like it acidic. I would=
think HUMIC ACID from Compost would work as it would keep the soil acid...=
........Maybe? Tim W. any thoughts on this/
>
> --- On Mon, 3/21/11, David <beeworks.david_at_...> wrote:
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> From: David <beeworks.david_at_...>
> Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Organic Blueberry growers
> To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, March 21, 2011, 9:29 AM
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> Just one observation from our use. Our ACT is Ph neutral and it's u=
se will eventually change the Ph of the soil back to an alkaline state.
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> Not sure if there is an answer, but we've stopped using it for the time b=
eing, as our Ph is out of wack for blueberries.
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> --- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "Kathleen" <hollowbone33_at_> wrote:
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> > Hello all,
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> > I'm just wondering if anyone has experience with using Compost Tea in a=
n organic blueberry system. I have a farmer that would like to run a trial=
to use the Tea to deal with mummy berry. My suggestion was to get a livin=
g mulch down (they have bark mulch right now), let the berries fall and spr=
ay with tea; the idea being to immunize the system against the mummy berry.
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> > Any thoughts or previous experience?
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> > Cheers,
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> > Kathleen
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Received on Mon Mar 21 2011 - 19:54:58 EDT
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