[compost_tea] Sawdust in ACT - termites & black ants
Hi Cameron
Only just getting down to study these posts, as already mentioned by dblsix=
teenout, resins in the sawdust could be a draw back. For tea inoculation si=
mply chuck it into an old stocking/sock or what have you lumps clumps & all=
.
For easier direct spreading/top dressing I initially mixed mine with wheat =
chaff/husks I got from a local mill, however this only served to liven up t=
he existing termite problem I've had for eons, no doubt this would be compo=
unded if sawdust was used......... I now keep mature "dry" (leaf) compost, =
specifically for amending the VC into a scatterable consistency and add a l=
ittle home grown fowl manure.
As we come into our winter the climate gets dryer, the ants (termites & sma=
ll black ones) move into the areas with the most moisture, i.e. Lawn & the =
bigger potted plants, grapes & hops seem to be an annual target. The ants e=
xplode the scale & aphid problems on the roses & smaller palm trees. I have=
tried the various semi-organic recipes using molasses blends, borax (diffe=
rent quantities), garlic & chili, companion planting and so on to no avail.=
Has anyone got any proven tried & tested solutions that I can persevere wi=
th to eradicate this problem.
Rgds
Ian Carruthers
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<snip>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Cameron Jenkins <milkman_at_...> wrote: Today, I emptied the bottom tray out o=
f one of the can-o-worms, and mixed it with some non treated sawdust. As th=
e sawdust drew in some of the moisture, it allowed the worm castings to bre=
ak apart into smaller bits. I then used a sieve to sift the castings to use=
into my compost tea. So the question is, how would sawdust go in a compost=
tea? I'll only be adding some molasses and fish emulsion to my next brew, =
so I'd be interested in feedback as to whether there would be anything wron=
g with sawdust mixed with fine worm castings would go in a brew.
Received on Wed Apr 13 2011 - 13:58:01 EDT
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: Tue Feb 07 2012 - 13:58:08 EST