Re: [compost_tea] Re: First Time

From: Ted Peterson <ted.peterson_at_tcsn.net>
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2005 13:03:14 -0800

Elaine:

Please stop responding to my posts. I find your remarks totally unconstruc=
tive.

Thank you,

Ted Peterson
EW/SOE
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: soilfoodweb_at_aol.com
  To: compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 7:02 AM
  Subject: Re: [compost_tea] Re: First Time


  Ted -

  You say every batch of tea doesn't need to be tested, but then you reveal=
 that you test every batch that you make.
  ------------------

  You wrote:
  We are dealing with a range of biology here and no one knows absolute num=
bers for absolute results as far as soil biology goes. I, personally, lear=
ned to use a microscope and look at my tea. I do soil tests and plant assa=
ys. Sometimes using CT can give curious test data yet the plants are healt=
hy. Because we are using a different and accentuated process of adding bio=
logy to the soil, we just don't have the data to make absolute statements. =
 After all, all tea does is multiply the bacteria and extract the fungi res=
ident in the compost. That's it.
  -----------------------

  You say your compost varies from batch to batch. How do you know this, i=
f you don't test it?

  Once someone learns what their compost variability is, and what their com=
post tea variability is, do they have to test for-ever?

  If the person they buy their tea brewer from has done the testing, then w=
hy does a small scale grower have to repeat that testing?

  Doesn't that say that the tea brewer manufacturer needs to give that data=
 to the buyer?

  Oh, the buyer doesn't want to have to do that much work, eh?

  Except consumers should learn not to buy a tea maker that doesn't come wi=
th that information.

  If a consumer buys a tea maker without that information with the machine,=
 then they either need to learn to use a microscope so they can look at eve=
ry batch of tea they make, or they can send their teas to a lab that allows=
 them to learn what is going on with each batch. SFI labs do that qualitat=
ive testing for $35.

  Learn what the variation is from batch to batch of your teas, or your com=
post.

  ---------
  Ted also wrote:
  I have a person who has become a friend who has been using a very simple =
brewer without aeration for over five years and who thinks all the added fo=
ods and hyper-growth is a bunch of BS. His plants look great and he manage=
s one of the larger wineries around here. We are getting ready for a tea o=
ff to see if we can find any substantive difference between his methods and=
 mine using the same crops.
  ---------------

  And as has been said before on this list, if you don't add foods to your =
compost tea brew, the likelihood that the tea will stay aerobic, and not go=
 anaerobic, is quite good.

  But use an immature compost, and the foods may not be gone, and the brew =
may go anaerobic.

  Wouldn't it be nice to have a way to know for certain? You don't have to=
 test each batch, once you know what your compost and teas usually do......

  Learn to use a small microscope. Cost? About $400 for the least expensi=
ve scope, or about $1200 for the best. Classes to learn to use the scope a=
re taught at SFI. SFI advisors usually can do the tests as well, so contac=
t your closest advisor to learn more.

  Elaine R. Ingham
  Soil Foodweb Inc., Corvallis, Oregon
  Soil Foodweb Inc., Port Jefferson, New York
  Soil Foodweb Institute, Lismore Australia
  Soil Foodweb Institute Cambridge, New Zealand
  Laboratorios de Soil Foodweb, Culiacan, Mexico
  Soil Foodweb Inc., Jerome, Idaho
  Soil Foodweb Inc., South Africa


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Received on Wed Mar 09 2005 - 16:46:25 EST

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