Re: [compost_tea] Re: confused and alarmed

From: Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net>
Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2003 16:39:26 -0800

Dennis:

No matter which brewer you use, you will have to ensure that the compost yo=
u use is biologically diverse enough to give you a chance at growing the mi=
crobes you need. Testing is the only way you can ensure that you are getti=
ng some activity. You may never know which exact microbes you are getting =
but you can ensure that you are getting some. Testing of your compost and =
you tea is as important as testing the soil and plants where you are applyi=
ng the tea. After a while you will learn how to brew for your areas and ho=
w to customize compost to accentuate bacterial or fungal activity. You wil=
l be able to reduce testing or eliminate tea testing but stick with soil/le=
af assay.

You will also learn how to add nutrients. For example, I add far less nutr=
ients than most people because I did a number of experiments to find out wh=
ich things caused reactions. Now I have only done a little over 200 tests.=
  Elaine has probably done thousands of tests. Right now I am involved in =
a test to see how draining and refilling my tank while keeping the same aer=
ation, compost and nutrients as the first batch shows on a dissolved O2 met=
er. I'm into my 6th batch and am starting to see some real difference. No=
w, I didn't clean or scrub the tank but did clean the aeration unit each ti=
me I filled the tank with water.

No anaerobic activity to note but then I know I'm not brewing a whole spect=
rum of bacteria. At 55 - 60 degrees, I'm getting aerobic multiples because=
 the DO shows it's working. I know, however, that the diversity is small. =
 This is great for an experiment but not something I would use for a client=
. Ultimately, it would be great to be able to test for diversity. I don't=
 think I could afford that right now though. It would take a lot of testin=
g in more controlled situation than I am willing to get involved with curre=
ntly.

Testing is the only real way you have of knowing if what you are brewing wo=
rks. Remember, the brewer will not add any microbial or fungal life if tha=
t life does not exist in your compost. The brewer allows you to multiply t=
he benificial organisms that exist in the compost. (In the case of fungi, =
good brewing can extract them from the compost into your tea.) Good brewing=
 can multiply aerobic bacteria 10,000 to 20,000 times. So when you add the=
m to your soil or spray them on your leaves, you have a much better chance =
of transferring live critters into your environment.

Ted Peterson
Earth-Wise/Spirit of the Earth


----- Original Message -----
  From: dkemnitz2000
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 4:10 PM
  Subject: [compost_tea] Re: confused and alarmed

  What are you responsible for? I asked before and will ask again:When
  I follow your instructions making tea using your machine and
  ingredients do you guarantee the tea will meet SFI's minimum
  standards? If you've done the R and D and I paid you for it (by
  buying your machine)do I have to test ACT(send money) to assure it's
  quality? Dennis





Received on Thu Dec 18 2003 - 20:34:56 EST

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