[compost_tea] Vermi leachate
Hi Brian
I don't have the smelly problem so much, I do get it at times when I add to=
o much grain dust/sweepings to my compost, no doubt it's fermenting. If I i=
nadvertently leave a lid or container under my worm bin it eventually start=
s to smell & gets an oily film over it. Im going to try and spray a bit ove=
r a Hyacinth & Spaghetti weed test site. There is so much sewage coming dow=
n the incoming river that explodes the vegetation doubling it in a week, me=
thane bubbling all over the place from the anaerobic conditions below. In t=
his case a test spot is not going to do much harm either way.
Points taken though thanks for the advice Steven & Brian, sorry for getting=
a bit off topic!
Ian C
----- Original Message -----
From: Brian Leslie
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 19, 2012 9:31 PM
Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Vermi tea EDTA & Hyacinth [1 Attachment]
[Attachment(s) from Brian Leslie included below]
On the smelly:
The anaerobic product that we are all familiar with (alcohol) is definite=
ly toxic to plants. It will also harm the civilizations of microbes living =
in your soil. I would avoid introducing anything smelly to your soil, even =
as a weapon. Add more oxygen and compost the fetid matter.
When and in what circumstances does the bad odor start? :-(
Brian _at_ Baton Rouge, Louisiana
P.S. An article in the Journal of Environmental Engineering Science in 20=
06 (attached) argues that EDTA is an environmental pollutant. Based on my r=
eading, I wouldn't want to send such a substance toward the ground.
On Thu, Jan 19, 2012 at 2:01 AM, RTS Friction - Carruthers <home_at_zim.co.z=
w> wrote:
Stephen
I've been following this thread with interest. I've 15kgs EDTA left ove=
r from when I used to revitalize lead/acid deep cycle batteries (Desulphati=
ng). If I understand correctly adding EDTA to Vermi CT may hold an advantag=
e?
Secondly perhaps this would also benefit our Water Hyacinth spraying pr=
ogram by adding it to weed killer. The Hyacinth has a noticeable waxy finis=
h 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 mor=
e/less.
Have often wondered if the smelly anaerobic leachate from compost or ve=
rmicompost 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 th=
e 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
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 cro=
ss the epidermal layer while using oils and soaps to cut the surface tensio=
n of water droplets and dissolve the wax layer on many plant surfaces. Humi=
c 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 pl=
ant will be short of all nutrients – macro and micro. Zimmer coined the p=
hrase “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 - 23:52:11 EST
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