Re: [compost_tea] proportions for fungal growth
You would want to test what each of these products actually grows when you=
add them to soil or the potting mix you have.
You would want to know what the bacterial and fungal biomass is in the exis=
ting pots, so you would know if you really need to improve fungi, or bacter=
ia, or maybe protozoa.
Melon, tomato, peppers typically are in the only slightly bacterial ranges,=
and since usually what we destroy with our planting methods is the fungal =
and protozoan parts of the the food web, most likely fungi and protozoa, an=
d maybe beneficial nematodes is what you would want to fix.
Eggplant and chard tend to like soil that is twice as bacterial as fungal, =
so often not as fungal a compost or tea is needed for them.
check the worm compost ----- bacterial or fungal?
Then add a little of each of the other products you mention and see if bact=
eria or fungi grow more predominately. which products send the soil more =
fungi, which push things more bacterial?
The molasses, if used at usual amounts, will usually push things more bacte=
rial.
The kelp could push either fungal or bacterial, depending on which kelp yo=
u are using.
The fish hydrolysate will tend to give slightly more fungal than bacterial,=
but both will grow as long as you remember to dilute out the phosphoric ac=
id that is used to stabilize the product and prevent bacteria and fungi fro=
m growing in it in the jug.
How much to use depends on the compost tea brewer you have. If you have gr=
eat aeration (like the old Microbrewer), then a cup or two per 5 gal of tea=
works. If less aeration, so you whammy the fungi less as in the Dirt Simp=
le brewer, then maybe a couple tablespoons or two per 5 gal, if a not-so-si=
gnificant aeration ability, then maybe a teaspoon per 5 gal.
So, talk to the person who sold you the brewer to see what has been success=
ful with the brewer they sold you...... or test the brewer out yourself. =
But remember, tea quality depends on the biology in it, not on how brown it=
is, or how much froth, or even on pH. Were there bacteria, fungi, protozo=
a and nematodes in the compost, and did they get extracted and did they gr=
ow in the tea.........
Elaine R. Ingham
President, Soil Foodweb Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: dreadscott <scottrally_at_yahoo.com>
To: compost_tea <compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Aug 14, 2011 6:19 pm
Subject: [compost_tea] proportions for fungal growth
Hey, folks. If you can bear to answer a top-dressing question... I'd value =
the input. The following are growing organically outdoors in 5gal buckets: =
eggplant, watermelon, tomatoes, bell peppers, and chard. Also, these materi=
als are on hand:
worm castings
powdered oatmeal
alfalfa meal
kelp extract powder
Azomite rock dust powder
fish hydrolysate: 3-1-3
blackstrap molasses
fulvic acid
Guidance about proportions for promoting fungal growth will be highly appre=
ciated. Heck, for that matter, how much of each would be smart to brew teas=
with?
Thanks,
P.S. The grow medium is a 30% sphagnum peat, 20% coconut coir, 30% Perlite,=
and 20% worm castings plus dolomite lime. Dry food is amended blood meal, =
bone meal, Azomite, and kelp extract powder.
Received on Mon Aug 15 2011 - 03:23:37 EDT
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