Re: [compost_tea] Compost Tea for Tomato plants.
I have been using fish hydrolysate and kelp meal to feed tomatoes and soil =
microbes with great results. Calcium, Potassium, and trace minerals are pro=
vided in these fertilizers. For me, success or failure are later season bli=
ghts. Do you have a early/late blight problem? how do you deal with it? Do =
grow commercially? You might not be able to apply AACT to control those iss=
ues during fruiting.
I haven't controlled those diseases with AACT, but I think that the right p=
erson with the right tea with the right cultural practices might do so.
Keep cultural practice as a whole in your mind... Till/no till? what kind o=
f soil and mulch? How do you stake them? Pinch suckers on the tomatoes? Gr=
aft them? Control the potentially devastating diseases?
Brian
-----Original Message-----
From: Tad Hussey <tadhussey_at_yahoo.com>
To: compost_tea <compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Mon, Nov 21, 2011 4:57 pm
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Compost Tea for Tomato plants.
I think nutrients are better addressed in this situation by looking at your=
growing media (I'm assuming soil). There are many ways to raise calcium l=
evels in soil based on initial inputs when mixing your soil. This is going=
to have a much greater and beneficial impact on your plants than the tea i=
n my opinion.
The concept is the same, and ACT can help, but I would focus on making a co=
mplete soil with good aeration and biological activity, diversity, and biom=
ass. If the soil is lacking in any particular nutrients/minerals, then the=
re will need to be added at some point in time during the plant's life.
Just my 2 cents,
Tad
PS: Feel free to contact me off-list if you want help in making a soil mix=
since it's slightly off-topic.
From: thawk4 <thawk4_at_neo.rr.com>
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2011 9:43 AM
Subject: [compost_tea] Compost Tea for Tomato plants.
I will be planting tomatoes in Eco-Grow pots which use capillary action to =
water the plants on an as needed basis. The pots have a built-in water rese=
rvoir. Eco-Grow claims you can't over/under water with these pots.
My plan is to use organic media to grow these plants in and I want to use c=
ompost tea as the sole fertilizer source which I will top dress on the plan=
t. (Not through the pot's water reservoir.)
One of my questions is will compost tea supply enough calcium and magnesium=
or do I need to add ingredients in the tea to ensure adequate levels of ca=
lcium and magnesium?
Or better yet does somebody have a tea recipe adjusted for tomatoes?
Tomatoes need calcium to prevent blossom end rot and to prevent fruit crack=
ing.
Thanks!
Received on Mon Nov 21 2011 - 17:44:11 EST
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