RE: Water? was Re: [compost_tea] humus/fulvic acid?

From: John Cowan <vivax_at_northlink.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 18:24:02 -0700

According to Elaine, humic acid products are food for fungi.

Why can't an artificially extracted or created fulvic acid be beneficial? I
know what you mean, though, that it would seem that a natural process should
be capable of something similar albeit at a somewhat slow rate. I think that
does happen.

There are a number of ways to create structured water. Exposing water to a
strong magnetic field is one method. Using concentrated nano-colloidal
products like Willard Water or Pat Flanagan's products (Crystal Water,
MegaHydrin, MegaHydrate) is another. Flow Forms probably structure water
given enough time. There are water "distillers" sold for human use that
structure water. I use water energized by a microbiological culture. My
point is that de-chlorinated tap water or well water is not necessarily the
best for culturing microbes.

I am referring to plant hormones, or more precisely, precursors or analogs
to a plant's hormones. I am not talking about manmade polluting chemicals
such as dioxin. Fulvic acid has a hormonal effect just like a number of
other materials of usually biological origin.

I think that we tend to get too narrow minded about these things. Knowing
about fulvic/humic acid is certainly interesting but the bottom line is -
what is going to help move your soil towards strong and diverse biological
vigor so that plants grow and develop to something nearer their genetic
potential?

Generally, all the organic (and some inorganic) materials that have been
talked about on this list can be helpful. Certain combinations or certain
specific products can be shown to be even more effective. To get where we
want to go we need diverse foods for microbial diversity. And low toxic
contaminants! I have used and am planning to be testing the efficacy of some
compost tea materials that have never been discussed on this list. I am sure
it does not take a huge imagination to come up with lots more. And don't
forget quality compost. How good can we make it? I don't think that has been
fully nailed down yet.

John Cowan
Verde Valley Agri-Lab
Sedona, Arizona 86336
ph: 928-300-8824
www.verdevalleyagri-lab.com


  -----Original Message-----
  From: Ted Peterson [mailto:ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net]
  Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 5:08 PM
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Subject: Water? was Re: [compost_tea] humus/fulvic acid?


  ----- Original Message -----
    From: John Cowan
    To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
    Sent: Monday, December 06, 2004 3:31 PM
    Subject: RE: [compost_tea] humus/fulvic acid?


    A certain amount of fulvic acid can be extracted from compost or
vermicompost by filling a jar 1/3 full with material then fill the jar with
water to about 2/3 full. Shake vigorously for 5 min. Let sit for 24 hrs. If
the material is of good quality, you will have water that is yellow-orange
amber. That is the fulvic acid.
  Thanks for the response. I have a couple of questions:

  Ok, so fulvic acid(s?) are extracted during the tea brewing process? It
would seem to be what you are indicating here. So if fulvic acid is
extracted in this way, what is the need for humic acid as part of the brew
mix? I am still a little confused by the idea -- if I read the Terravita
site papers correctly -- that something that is not extracted naturally by
soil biology could be extracted in an artificial environment yet be
beneficial in soil health (and actually needed in the soil) that favors a
biological approach. It is contrary to everything I read about modern soil
science and biologically based soil management of which CT is a part.

  The quality of the water makes a difference. If the water is structured so
that it has a lower surface tension than "normal" then more fulvic acid can
be extracted. By the way, structured water can make a positive difference
with compost tea.


  Now, I have been experimenting with making and brewing with a water that
was developed for NASA. It is like heavy water but can be consumed by
humans. It was made for space flight. As you know, one of the most
difficult parts of space travel is water. We need a lot of it and so do
astronauts. One of the people I work with has developed a device that
processes waste water into a very usable, potable water with qualities that
make less do the same work as traditional amounts. In other words, if you
need normally to take three 10oz. glasses a day for health, you only need
one glass of this stuff.

  I have used his device and have brewed with it and tested for biomass.
When I amass a significant amount of data, I will report my findings. If
you look at my web site, you will see a six brewer experimental setup. This
is where I do most of my testing before moving to larger brewers.

  I am interested in water structure being different in that the surface
tension of the water changes. What kind of water are you using?

  I have read the terravita site and although interesting, I cannot buy all
their assertions. How can we know what is going on when the physical
structure of fulvic and humic acid has not be pinned down? We do know that
fulvic acid have a molecular weight 10's of times less than humic acid. We
also know that it has a very strong hormonal effect.

  I don't understand what you mean by hormonal effect. Are you referring to
something like an endrocine disruptor? In addition, what hormonal elements
of soil health are you referring to here? Adding something to the soil that
operates like an endrocine disruptor is not something I am interested in
pursuing as part of a soil health program. Maybe I am misreading your post
so if you could please clarify a little, I may be able to get a better
handle on this thing.

  Ted Peterson
  EW/SOE


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Received on Tue Dec 07 2004 - 00:48:46 EST

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