RE: [compost_tea] Re: Vermi tea as foliar fertilizer

From: Stephen Steyn <ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:38:52 +0200

Burkhard:

The only reasons you use ACT are because you can multiply the biology in the
compost by 10,000,000 times with the right foods, and you can get it on the
leaf where many of your problems originate.

Other than those reasons, compost is by far the best thing you can do to
your soils in terms of water holding capacity, nutrient release or cycling
etc. etc.

SS

 

From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of Jason Kalka
Sent: 18 January 2012 19:52
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [compost_tea] Re: Vermi tea as foliar fertilizer

 

  


I suppose I will have to read Teaming with Microbes to figure out why I need
to use ACT instead of simply composting and mulching. If you aren't getting
a benefit from spraying it on the leaves, why use it?

Tim, you sound like you know what you are talking about, but you are on a
whole other level that is beyond my grasp at the moment.



  _____

From: Tim Wilson <thegoodjob_at_hotmail.com>
Sent: January 18, 2012 11:30 AM
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Vermi tea as foliar fertilizer

  

Hi Burkhard;

When I mentioned soluble nutrients I was actually referring to chemical
fertilizers which are already in ionic form. I was not recommending them but
asking what you intended to foliar feed with. There is very little in
soluble form in organics. As stated, I am dubious about the efficacy of
foliar feeding.

There was a powerpoint posted by another member but because it was a sales
pitch it is hardly credible.

If indeed, foliar feeding is an efficient way of providing nutrients, I'm
very interested in reading solid data on the subject. There are attibutes to
spraying certain substances onto plant leaves, including compost tea. Jeff
has already covered this.

I used to spray (back in my chemical days) my plants with chemical
20-20-20 and thought I was feeding them because they all perked up and
looked 'happy' afterwards. Later I learned that they were just responding
(most likely) to the moisture.

I suggest that you feed your soil as Jeff has recommended. You can use fish
hydrolysate, compost tea, humic acid, etc. in liquid form and you can
topdress [vermi]compost (and vermicompost slurries), kelpmeal, alfalfa meal,
etc.

Tim

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com <mailto:compost_tea%40yahoogroups.com> ,
Burkhard Kiehne <burkhardkiehne_at_...> wrote:
>
> Thank you for all your input, especially the one from Tim. It always lets
me see things clearer. To summerize my point again I assume it is a good
idea to prepare the soil with plenty of compost, plant my peppers, t



[The entire original message is not included]





Received on Thu Jan 19 2012 - 09:56:06 EST

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