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Re: [compost_tea] Fungi food tested.



Dan,
 
Since I am using Alaska Humus I really don't worry about pathogens much.  As long as my teas are well aerated, I know they will turn out full of beneficals.
 
On the compost itself, the fungi I see look an awful lot like "white rot" which I see outdoors in my leaf mulch.....And, it smells "good" but you are absolutely correct: These things need to be identified as friendly. I did try and starve a few of my test samples of air. The V-8 juice and Tomato paste really stank after a few days. Stay away from these. In fact, soy meal, oatmeal, alfalfa and malt all work well enough that I am not sure we need to look much further for cheap, organic substances to feed fungi in compost before making teas.
 
You asked: If we have an SFI test on our compost that shows good fungal
numbers and good diversity and we feed those fungi do we assume that the beneficials are going to out compete the phytophthora, fusarium,
rhizoctonia, pythium and the like that may be present.
 
The answer is YES no matter what kind of compost you use, as long as it has good tests as you outline and  your teas are well aerated. In the case of AH, the answer is yes AND it has been tested it on potatoes, grapes, strawberries, lilacs, palms etc by others who have been able to control  the baddies you list.
 
As for making teas with compost you did not make yourself, I think it is clear that getting some tests from the manufacturer before you buy is pretty damn important. No tests? No sale.  At the very least, I would test the first few batches of teas before using such stuff.
 
With all of the government labeling requirements, you would think the compost industry would try and self regulate. In fact, I think they are trying through the  Mulch and Soil Council, but it is all voluntary....
 
If it was Sunday, I would ask you if you are ready to try a small box of AH!!!
 
Cheers,
 
Jeff
www.alaskahumus.com
 

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