[compost_tea] Re: Vermi tea as foliar fertilizer

From: Dan <dansquest2005_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:58:21 -0000

Hi Jeff,
  Quick question. Has ACT ever been analyzed for nutritional values, macro =
and micro?

Dan in Ct Zone 6A Where I have been walking around with a magnifying glass=
 for awhile and the easiest way to see bigger is better.


--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, Jeff Lowenfels <jeff.lowenfels_at_...> wro=
te:
>
> Whew, a lot in your text.
>
> First, 99.9% of the molecules taken in by plants are in ion form. All of=
 the essential nutrients. Very few organic molecules, which are the big guy=
s to which your refer, to my knowledge, could ever get through a cell's pla=
smolemma.
>
> Second, foliar feeding is one thing. Foliar spraying with tea is another.=
 In general foliar feeding is not good for those essential nutrients that a=
re not mobile once inside the plant. They don't move in the phloem. And, it=
 is impossible to provide enough of the macro nutrients via foliar spraying=
.
>
> The tea, however, will create a food web on the leaf. Sure you will get s=
ome "ingestion," of nutrient, but the reason you would spray, it seems to m=
e, is to establish your colony of good microbes to out compete the bad ones=
.
>
> Finally, the Law of Minimum applies. You cannot sustain a plant (and have=
 it produce seeds) with just the macro elements. For example, to get your p=
epper to flower you need to make sure you have enough boron. No boron, no p=
ollen tubes. It only takes a tiny bit so if you have good compost you have=
 it. Boron is in cell walls and so in compost.
>
> May be I am missing your points?
>
> Teaming with microbes,
>
> Jeff L
>




Received on Sun Jan 15 2012 - 12:41:36 EST

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