[compost_tea] Re: necessary to add carbs or sugar after applying a compos...

From: madcalf0000 <ch_vancouver_at_mail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 18:54:03 -0000

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, soilfoodweb_at_a... wrote:

> So your source saying the tea doesn't supply enough food MIGHT be
correct IF
> the worm compost is strongly bacterial (food added to the worm bin
is strongly
> bacterial).
>
> But the part they have flat incorrect is that the microbes in the
soil will
> not "take" carbohydrates from the plant. Sorry, most of the
organisms in the
> soil cannot force the plant to release more sugars, proteins or
carbohydrates,
> unless they are pathogens, or Rhizobium.
>
> That is not the problem. The problem is if you have rapid
microbial growth
> in the soil, stimulated by TOO HIGH addition of sugar (molasses for
example),
> protein (oatmeal, for example), or carbohydrates (flour, plant
material, for
> example), then when the microbes grow, they take up nitrogen,
sulfur,
> phosphorus, etc and immobilize it, preventing the plant from
getting the nutrients
> needed.
>




That's very interesting, they told me the fungi will extend something
like hiphae into the plant and take carbs for food, so without adding
appropriate carbs the fungi will keep feeding and severely deplete
the plant. I thought this sounded fishy since the fungi don't seem
to harm the plants in nature.

Can someone suggest a proper ratio for ingredients to end up with a
balanced bacterial and fungal colony?
I just eyeball it like the person that taught me to use the tea.
I'd guess its about a good handful of worm castings, 3 tbsp oats and
a cup of molasses into 2-3 gallons of water.

Thanks,
chuck




 
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Received on Sun Feb 15 2004 - 14:45:57 EST

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