Re: [compost_tea] sleeping critters
----- Original Message -----
From: rlbct
To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2004 12:24 PM
Subject: [compost_tea] sleeping critters
I've recently been on Elaine's seminar; so packed with info it'll take some
time to get it into my head.
My understanding is that if the critters run out of food they go to sleep
(so the O2 levels should level out high).
OK, so in this condition can we store them in an airtight (or otherwise)
container with the idea of waking them up later by adding food - obviously
in an aerobic environment.
ie: apply to soil directly; or dilute and aerate for a while.
What's the purpose for doing this? The main one would be to be able to
store it - I was thinking of giving it a shelf life for resale actually.
Anyone tried this?
Lynton
There will be some anaerobes in your tea. When you shut off the air and "b=
ottle" the tea, you are creating and environment perfect for these anaerobe=
s. They will start growing and will use anything for food they can find. =
This means that sleeping aerobes become cattle for the anaerobic coyotes. =
Try putting some tea on the shelf and just smell it after 24 hours, 48 hour=
s and 72 hours. Your nose will tell you without fail that the healthy, aer=
obic tea you have brewed has become an unhealthy swamp. Within all these a=
naerobes are a few pathogens, when you make an environment for anaerobes yo=
u also make an environment for ??? Yes, e coli and salmonella. Actually t=
hese are the two most prominent indicators but if you see these, you can re=
st assured you have others too.
You would have to pump tons of air into the mixture just to get it to a poi=
nt where you would want to apply it if at all.
Ted Peterson
Earth-Wise/Spirit of the Earth
Received on Wed Mar 10 2004 - 00:10:09 EST
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