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

From: Burkhard Kiehne <burkhardkiehne_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:31:55 -0800 (PST)

I think to get the nutrients into the leaf is exactly the problem. Leaves o=
f each plant look different. Some have stomata even on the upper side and o=
f course they all have different coatings. There are some articles, I read =
however suggesting that even larger molecules, I consider fulvic acid large=
r, are able to pass thick cutin layers. I thought that the cutin layer is n=
ot a continous layer but separated like the cells underneath. It actually l=
ooks like a puzzle. May be the chemicals (fulvic acid is also a chemical, I=
 know "chemical" does not sound good for tea brewers) enter the seams of th=
e cells. If the humidity is high the stomata will be open and nutrients can=
 enter  them. Once they are inside the leave it will be easier to pass=
 through the wall and membrane of the cells. I guess it will come down to t=
ry and error which plant will react easier on foliage feeding .
One thing off the topic: There is one guy here who is considered one of the=
 largest vermi compost producer in this area. He is able to grow carrots on=
 sea level in the Philippines. He is using only vermi compost. The climate =
is not suitable for carrots at all, but since he uses vermi compost he can.=
 I think there is really more potential in vermi compost or tea which is no=
t discovered yet.

--- On Thu, 1/19/12, Stephen Steyn <ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za> wrote:

From: Stephen Steyn <ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za>
Subject: RE: [compost_tea] Re: Vermi tea as foliar fertilizer
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, January 19, 2012, 7:14 AM
















 



  


    
      
      
      Jeff;Yes. True I think partially. I don’t want to cross sword=
s with you on this because you knowledge probably is a multiple of mine in =
this area.It is quite common though to supply calcium, and potash and nitro=
gen to a plant in this fashion. Its difficult to get P into a plant through=
 the soil as its tied up quickly. Its also common to use EDTA or fulvic=
to cross the epidermal layer while using oils and soaps to cut the surf=
ace tension of water droplets and dissolve the wax layer on many plant surf=
aces. Humic does not seem as effective due to its large molecular size.As a=
n aside. If you don’t have enough calcium in your soil, your plant =
will be short of all nutrients – macro and micro. Zimmer coined the=
 phrase “the trucker of all miners” when talking about calc=
ium. At least I think it was he. Albrecht of course is remembered by many a=
s the guy who worked with calcium.SS  From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.co=
m
 [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Lowenfels
Sent: 19 January 2012 08:48
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Re: Vermi tea as foliar fertilizer    =
There are many essential nutrients that can get into the leaf. Many are not=
 mobile in the plant, however. It is impossible to supply the macronutrient=
s via foliar feeding in sufficient quantities according to everything I hav=
e read. Iron, possible. Most other stuff, no IMHO

Teaming with microbes,

jeff L

    
     

    
    






  










Received on Thu Jan 19 2012 - 13:21:17 EST

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