[compost_tea] Vermi tea EDTA & Hyacinth

From: RTS Friction - Carruthers <home_at_zim.co.zw>
Date: Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:01:22 +0200

Stephen

I've been following this thread with interest. I've 15kgs EDTA left over fr=
om when I used to revitalize lead/acid deep cycle batteries (Desulphating).=
 If I understand correctly adding EDTA to Vermi CT may hold an advantage?
Secondly perhaps this would also benefit our Water Hyacinth spraying progra=
m by adding it to weed killer. The Hyacinth has a noticeable waxy finish to=
 it - soapy water is not 100% foolproof in penetrating it, I feel a lot of =
chemical is being lost as run off.

We hate to use chemicals - Just becomes too labour intensive to haul it all=
 out & this time of the year it's exploding.
What would be the EDTA application rate - 5ml/teaspoon to 200lts or more/le=
ss.

Have often wondered if the smelly anaerobic leachate from compost or vermic=
ompost is toxic to plants, it may well have a roll to play in using it to e=
radicate weed's, in my case water weeds! even if it simply dissolves the pr=
otective waxes so less chemical needs to be applied.
Can anyone share their experience with weed control & CT if any.
 
Rgds
 Ian C


  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Stephen Steyn
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:14 AM
  Subject: RE: [compost_tea] Re: Vermi tea as foliar fertilizer


    

  Jeff;

  Yes. True I think partially. I don't want to cross swords with you on thi=
s because you knowledge probably is a multiple of mine in this area.

  It is quite common though to supply calcium, and potash and nitrogen to a=
 plant in this fashion. Its difficult to get P into a plant through the soi=
l as its tied up quickly. Its also common to use EDTA or fulvic to cross t=
he epidermal layer while using oils and soaps to cut the surface tension of=
 water droplets and dissolve the wax layer on many plant surfaces. Humic do=
es not seem as effective due to its large molecular size.

  As an aside. If you don't have enough calcium in your soil, your plant wi=
ll be short of all nutrients - macro and micro. Zimmer coined the phrase "t=
he trucker of all miners" when talking about calcium. At least I think it w=
as he. Albrecht of course is remembered by many as the guy who worked with =
calcium.

  SS


Received on Thu Jan 19 2012 - 13:21:18 EST

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