A simplified Alfalfa tea recipe

15 years ago

Can anyone suggest/advise on a simpler alfalfa tea receipe? On ethat doesn't involve a week of steeping and numerous ingredients?

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Comments (10)

jerseywendy
15 years ago
How about you simply work those alfalfa pellets gently under the soil and water them in well?

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Wendy
diane_nj 6b/7a
15 years ago
What Wendy said. I apply it dry and water it in.

If you still want to make the "tea", put a few cups of alfalfa into the legs of a pantyhose or a cheesebloth bag, tie off the "bag" and drop it into a trashcan full of water. Wait three days. Use. You don't need the added ingredients. The one time I made "tea" I just used alfalfa and water. I didn't see a difference from applying it dry, so back to dry I am.
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I imagine people add Epsom Salts for two main reasons: either they think their roses need magnesium or they think Epsom Salts has some stimulating effect that goes beyond simple nutrition. The first reason is easy to deal with. Magnesium is a secondary plant nutrient and there seems to be general agreement among agriculture extension services that most soils contain enough magnesium to satisfy plant needs. Some rose fertilizers do include magnesium, for example Espoma's Rose Tone. If you assume Espoma gave some thought to the matter, then the amount of magnesium in Rose Tone might be a reasonable guide to the maximum amount of magnesium required by any rose, in any soil. The label feeding of Rose Tone (3/4 cup per month, per rose) contains the amount of magnesium present in just 3/4 teaspoon of Epsom Salts. The possible stimulating effect of Epsom Salts is harder to deal with. I guess I'd say that Kira Bowen's results, linked in my posting above, suggest that 1 cup of Epsom Salts per month, per rose, is just too much. If you already added a cup of the stuff, I wouldn't panic; I just wouldn't add any more. The only effect Kira noted was a slight reduction in flower production and plant vigor. The advice about magnesium given at the enclosed link by the Peninsular Rose club seems reasonable. Here is a link that might be useful: Gary Brust Article
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Good morning Terry. I'm good thank you. Planted all but two roses in the ground yesterday (new rose bed) so that was an adventure but very fun. Feel a little old and sunburned today but pleased. Very much appreciate the feedback on my tea. Yeah! Good I am going to apply it today. Speaking of the stench last night we slept with the windows open as it got up to about 96 here during the day. At around 2 a.m. I woke up and smelled something truly evil. I thought perhaps it was sick animal in the back yard at first when I realized there was just enough breeze to bring the tea aroma into the bedroom. I got up and closed the window. Ha! Have a great day. Kate
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Dara, I’m glad you mentioned the molasses. I have seen recommendations for using unsulphured organic molasses for roses. Of course, I can’t remember what it was supposed to be good for, but something. lol Do you know what it might have been recommended for? I’m going to search the Organic Rose forum. I probably read it there. Lisa
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Chey, now that you mention it, I remember that thread and you got good suggestions from quite a few experienced rose gardeners on GW. So sorry you've experienced it, but from what I gather on that thread, there is still hope for your roses! This is my 4th year in rose gardening and it's always a learning process with ups and downs... I apply alfalfa when the new growth is just starting out, but since you've had the issue of reviving your roses and hopefully inducing new growth, then probably it's best to apply alfalfa when the soil is workable and time to fertilize in general-- as often recommended, when "forsythias start blooming" in your area. Good luck!
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buford
15 years ago
I will probably try that next time. The tea was so stinky thig time. I hoped it would rain to day, but we only got a drizzle.
barbarag_happy
15 years ago
Alfalfa pellets and water worked magic on a bunch of run-out old grafted roses in a neglected garden-- what a comeback! I'd give the tea the edge in terms of quick results-- important here where it gets hot so early. Mainly, my own garden is composed of newly planted own-roots and I'm sticking with the tea until they've developed their root systems, as recommended by RU and others who say for new OR's, feed liquid first season.
peachiekean
15 years ago
One of these fine days you will see the stuff on our nursery/garden center shelves in some sort of concentrated form. I can see it now....
patricianat
15 years ago
Alfalfa meal works fine. Just fill a coffee can and place around the drip line of your larger roses, a cup around the smaller ones and it will take water very little time to get it into your soil and back to the rose.
katefisher
15 years ago
Since we're back on the topic of alfalfa tea I have a question. Is it reasonable to use tea (which I plan to start brewing tonight) on transplanted roses. I moved many of mine this spring and would really like to start feeding them. They are all showing new growth and most have buds now.

Thank you. Forgive my hijacking.

Kate
karl_bapst_rosenut
15 years ago
I put alfalfa meal in the planting hole whenever I plant a new rose or transplant an old one. Have never had a bad response.
katefisher
15 years ago
Thank you Karl.

Kate
buford
15 years ago
I have noticed a marked improvement in my soil and the root systems of my roses after using alfalfa. I am going to use it on most of my other plants as well.

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A simplified Alfalfa tea recipe

Comments (10)

jerseywendy

diane_nj 6b/7a

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