Re: [compost_tea] Re: Tea and Turf

From: Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net>
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 09:44:44 -0800


  ----- Original Message -----
  From: chriscreid
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 6:17 AM
  Subject: [compost_tea] Re: Tea and Turf



  Ted, could you clarify what you mean by cure/did nothing here?

>> By cure and nothing, I am referring to the fungal infestation. Compos=
t tea cannot cure fungal infestations. It can do nothing to an active infe=
station. Now, if by some remote chance, your compost is made from highly a=
ntifungal plants and whatever the agent is that inhibits fungal growth tran=
sfers to your tea in amounts that will actuall work on live plants, there m=
ay be a chance that fungi can be stopped. But we are talking about plant e=
xtracts not compost tea.


  I reply:

  In a conversation with Steve Diver the other day, he was talking
  about the kind of pest pressure someone on an irrigated arod climate
  agricultural field sees compared to someone in the Northeast where
  heat and humidity and frequent rainfall tend to correlate to
  increased experience of fungal diseases.

  It became clear to me that when I am listening to people either
  explain their own experiences

>> Yes, I agree that clear thinking is needed as you mentioned in the par=
t of your post I deleted. That you would adapt use to your own area is imp=
ortant. When we first started applying to grapes, we though we could get a=
way with applying once or twice for the season. We learned that with high =
fungal pressure we had to apply a couple of times per week to insure succes=
s. If the fungal pressure is low, maybe once a month is fine. How do we d=
etermine fungal pressure? There are a myriad of programs available that an=
alyze weather conditions to predict fungal activity. Your grower will prob=
ably have them. If their program shows a weather pattern that requires con=
ventional spraying at specific levels, you will know the fungal pressure.



  I reply:
  Ted, if you would be willing to say more along these lines,

>> I will share what I think answers problems. It's kind of a sticky poi=
nt and I know we want to be mutually helpful but some details of what we do=
 will have to remain company property. For example, I sell plans to build =
brewers of my design and even direct people to sources. When I do this, th=
ough, I get an agreement signed that the person buying the plans will not m=
arket my brewer against me. We have done projects and generated reports th=
at are public information. These reports are available. We sell consultin=
g services to clients.

  SFI testing is important but tea can be "cooked" for a test. I like soil=
 tests and plant assays better. Because everything in the tea comes from th=
e compost, I would suggest getting compost tested. As I mentioned, bacteri=
a will grow just by adding water to compost. It will not grow in astoundin=
g numbers but it will grow. Aerate and, provided there is food, they will =
grow until they eat all the food and go to sleep. It's a simple fact.

  Fungi are a different story but I don't want to stir that pot again. It =
seems there are some who are very set in their thinking about fungi and AAC=
T. I have one view. My business associate has a slightly different view b=
ut both would be considered rabidly conservative when it comes to fungal gr=
owth in AACT.

  Ted Peterson
  Earth-Wise/Spirit of the Earth



Received on Fri Dec 12 2003 - 13:45:00 EST

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