On picking up random stuff off the forest floor. Went out yesterday looking for that "humus" layer that I intended to bring back to make my tea with. Well, it just ain't there. If it is there, it's not more than an inch thick, so, I guess I kind of need to rethink the whole humus thing. Maybe just a shovel two of the first 6" or so of soil would do the trick of adding good microbes to my tea. However, I think I did figure out what "sand loam" actually is. All these trees are planted on sand land and there is this very interesting sandy textured soil that is just below the leaf surface. I'd bet money that that is what's considered sand loam. Anyway, thinking now that I might just put some of that in the bucket with my alfalfa tea (yeah, I started brewing a 30 gallon can of it... yippee, I pulled another trigger). Also started thinking of some other materials that might be interesting to add to the tea for the purposes of increasing the microbial population. In particular, there is a "stump hole" of a pine tree that is probably 30+ years old that I can reach my whole arm down inside of and pull out this interesting peat like material. Thinking that probably has all kinds of good creatures in it. Then there is this area in a bottom that kind of stays wet for long periods that kind of has a similar material in it. Might consider using it.... at least the surface maybe. Could that harbor some bad stuff because it remains wet over a portion of the year? Anyway, just thought I'd update so there is no confusion in that I'm interested in teas in general.

Thanks for the info guys. I did aerate it with an air pump and 4 air stones. I used about a gallon of coffee ground/leaf compost with some kelp meal, corn meal, and molasses. After 2 days it had an amazingly earthy fresh smell. I just wish there was some way to make sure you don't accidentally grow dangerous pathogens. I was thinking of buying a good microbiology type of microscope. If I did would I be able to take samples of my tea and get pics online that show the potentially dangerous pathogens that could reproduce and match the pictures to what I see under the microscope?

"Would there be any advantage to putting in the molasses at the same time as the compost tea bag?" Yes, less brewing time to get a good tea to use. Waiting more than 24 hours can set up the dynamic for the tea to become anaerobic, which is not good if using the tea for a foliar spray IMO. A fresh, sweet smelling compost tea gives me the results I have come to expect and enjoy watching as the leaves and stalks of my plants open up as only compost tea will give. I really don't feel stronger tea is a good thing Maupin, I have found weaker, diluted solutions work better in most cases, and allow for a better spread of the tea while spraying (more bang for the buck). Again, this is my experience, and I will admit I have gotten almost as good results from just dumping compost in a drum (I make 55-gallons at a time), stirring it, waiting a couple hours and then using the tea. I guess it boils down to weather one is willing to go through the trouble of making aerobic tea; for me there is no trouble, I love the entire process.... Blutranes

You would probably make good compost tea using the duff from the woods, but removal of duff is generally highly discouraged. The duff serves as a bridge between the above ground living vegetation and the soil, and it is a crucial component in nutrient transfer/cycling. If you remove the duff from the woods, you can disturb this cycle and harm both the vegetation and the soil. It does not take a large amount of compost to brew tea, so if you really want to make some tea I bet you could find somebody with good compost who could give or sell you a pail. And you can get your pile started in the meantime also. What are you going to use the tea on? Welcome!! Rachel