Re: [compost_tea] Re: Low Fungi

From: Jeff Lowenfels (jeff@gardener.com)
Date: Sun Apr 20 2003 - 15:21:05 EDT


For what it is worth and realizing that we all have our own biases and thou=
ghts, here is how I looked at Dan's brew which resulted in low fungi.

(0.8
CFM max)

Is this enough 02 for 18 gallons? . I have notes at work and will check thi=
s number, but Bob N knows off the top of his head if this is enough oxygen.=
...BOB? It may be too low.

And does your configuration provide the energy to strip off the fungi? How =
"full" is your compost basket? If it is too full, it doesn't matter how muc=
h energy you put in there, you don't get the stripping action. Bob showed m=
e a great trick: add a few wood chips to help this action.

Finally, because you have two aerators in the basket and only one in the mi=
x, have you considered putting all three in the mix after 12 hours so you m=
ake sure there is enough oxygen there?

<<<Approx 4# compost>>

Have you tried using a pound or so less? Only more pound and you are at the=
 rec amount for 25 gallons. Again, this has a lot to do with the size of yo=
ur basket.



<Used 2
tblsp Maxicrop, 2 tblsp Humic Acid and 3 tblsp Org gem with the Org
Gem spaced at intervals during brew. Also about a tsp of Saponyn>

The liquid Maxicrop has chlorine in it so I suppose should be aerated first=
.Not sure if you used the powder or liquid. I find humic acid to be really =
strong stuff. My recipes use 1 teaspoon of humic acid (powder) per 5 gallon=
s...you are using twice that.

Finally, my limited experience has been that the fish H also feeds bacteria=
. Try making a tea using your recipe without the fish H.

Of course, what makes it difficult to finally come up with a decent recipe =
is that there are so many variables. I would verify that the Oxygen is suf=
ficient first. Then check how much compost is in the basket and if there is=
 sufficient room for real stripping, and then consider a brew without the F=
ish H and if that didn't change things, one with lower humic.

O.K. so that is what I think. No right answer here, but the above would be =
my initial thinking process as I read the report! I would discuss these th=
ings during my free 15 minute SFI consulting session that comes with each t=
est!

Cheers,

Jeff L







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