RE: [compost_tea] Dried Compost - Does it Go Dormant?

From: Douglas G. Larson <ddhle_at_earthlink.net>
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:24:57 -0700

 
 
When compost dries out, some of the microorganisms die but I believe most go
dormant and they reactivate when moisture returns. That's my recollection of
what Elaine taught us.
 
But the microbial life doesn't last forever, there is a limit.
 
I believe that only the fungi have spores. The other critters use other
propagation methods.
 
Doug Larson,
Bothell, WA

  _____

From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Jimmy Mucha
Sent: Tuesday, September 20, 2011 7:01 PM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Dried Compost


  


To benefit some of the land area in Texas affected by the recent fires many
people are planning to put together native grass and wild flowers seed balls
mixed with compost to distribute in affected areas. To prevent seeds from
germinating the compost must be dry. My question is when compost dries out
which it has from sources in Texas, does it totally disrupt the
microorganisms in the compost or do they go dormant, go to spores, etc. and
then again become active when moisture returns? Or do you end up with
organic matter with little microorganism representation?

Jimmy (in Tennessee)





Received on Tue Sep 20 2011 - 22:39:13 EDT

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