RE: [compost_tea] Vermi tea EDTA & Hyacinth

From: Stephen Steyn <ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za>
Date: Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:13:37 +0200

Ian:

I cannot help you. In my opinion EDTA has more problems than advantages.

I've had luck with adding straw bales to water to kill waterweed. But that
was not Kariba weed or water hyacinth. I know there is a biological control
that has been available for some time.

SS

 

From: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com [mailto:compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of RTS Friction - Carruthers
Sent: 19 January 2012 10:01
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Subject: [compost_tea] Vermi tea EDTA & Hyacinth

 

  

Stephen

 

I've been following this thread with interest. I've 15kgs EDTA left over
from 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 program
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/less.

 

Have often wondered if the smelly anaerobic leachate from compost or
vermicompost is toxic to plants, it may well have a roll to play in using it
to eradicate weed's, in my case water weeds! even if it simply dissolves the
protective 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 <mailto:ssteyn_at_wcaccess.co.za>

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 this
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 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 surface tension of
water droplets and dissolve the wax layer on many plant surfaces. Humic does
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 will
be short of all nutrients - macro and micro. Zimmer coined the phrase "the
trucker of all miners" when talking about calcium. At least I think it was
he. Albrecht of course is remembered by many as the guy who worked with
calcium.

SS





Received on Thu Jan 19 2012 - 23:22:11 EST

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