Aerated Compost Teas
Stuart Downs
7 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (8)
Stuart Downs
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Aerating compost tea
Comments (4)Greyentropy asks: "Does anyone have any thoughts to why a shallow tea brewed in a rain storm would not have sufficient oxygen to keep the micro herd alive?" This topic has been discussed to the N-th degree all over the Internet. There are members on this forum that have stated a good stir with a stick every now and then is enough for good aeration; and then comes the shop-vac idea (with photos) that takes ideas to a different level. I do wonder what kind of fungal strand count survives after all that violent air time suspension after each explosion of air bubbles. My understanding is that one wants to dislodge the fungus from the compost gently to allow the strands to remain intact, but then I am still in the learning mode and may be getting taught something that I have not considered before. Time will tell on this one, for sure. Your idea was kicked around about five (5) years ago on another forum that I know of. The final verdict was that no amount of air was going to be adequate to keep the biomass alive no matter how much air is infused into the tea. It was from that discussion that I came to the conclusion that larger air bubbles are good for the tea (for what that is worth) than smaller bubbles. As time has gone by many new discoveries have come to pass. IMO, the most important is the danger in using animal manure based compost used in tea making with molasses added could breed e-coli bacteria. Needless to say the flame from that fire is still hot. Your idea of using a large (wider) container sounds like something I will try to see what happens. I will admit that my opinion is that biomass has nothing to do with the dynamic results of using compost tea. The link below will take you to the before mentioned thread, there may be something said that could be of use as you journey on this still exciting subject. I trust this may be of some help in some small way Blutranes Here is a link that might be useful: Compost Tea Brewers...See MoreUsing aerated compost tea in comparison with a chemical pesticide
Comments (3)MulchMama, the full paper is not yet available to me through the university. The wording in a reviewed accepted scientific paper is subject to scrutiny by the reviewers and the editor. This wording is also consistent with what I have read in the scientific literature. The commercial fungicide that they compared with is Topaz (a penconazole based "azole" family fungicide). For plants I assume that the greatest concern is whether the Topaz is damaging the mycorrhizal fungi relationship with the plant roots. "Abstract In order to quantify the importance of ectomycorrhizal fungi on nutrient uptake from the coarse-soil fraction of a haplic Cambisol (alumic), a microcosm study that allowed for nutrient budgets was designed. Ectomycorrhizal- and fungicide-treated spruce seedlings were grown on isolated and cleaned gneiss fragments (6.3 mm > à> 2 mm) from 90 cm soil depth. The substrate was the only source of Ca, K and Mg. Ectomycorrhizal seedlings showed no signs of nutrient deficiencies and biomass increased significantly compared to initial seedling biomass. Ectomycorrhizal seedlings seemed well adapted to survive on the coarse-soil substrate and acquired Ca, K and Mg from the coarse-soil substrate. Gneiss fragments of the ectomycorrhizal treatment were covered by fine roots and ectomycorrhizal hyphae, as observed microscopically. Fungicide-treated seedlingsâ root development was retarded, and shoot biomass only increased from stored nutrient reserves of the seedlings. The suppression of EcM colonization by the fungicide Topasî apparently caused a root growth inhibiting effect. Furthermore, the extinction of mycorrhiza initiated an increased nitrification and acidification and a consequent nutrient cation release triggered by nitrate in the drainage." A Google Scholar search with the keywords: penconazole and mycorrhizal fungi Here is a link that might be useful: link for above...See Moreyacca in aerated compost tea
Comments (1)Sorry, no first hand info to pass on. But did find some recipes in a google search. The recipe for Fungal Tea is the only one with yucca as an ingredient. This is the recipe for 5 gal 1 ý cups fungal compost 2 oz. liquid humates 2 oz. blackstrap molasses 1 oz. yucca extracts 2 oz. fish hydrolysates ü cup kelp meal ü cup chopped feed hay Here is a link that might be useful: Recipes for compost tea...See MoreAerated Compost Tea recipie
Comments (2)There are several good recipes posted over on the Soil & Composting forum you might want to check out. And check out the ones on the Organic Gardening forum too - they even have a FAQ on aerated tea. Link below is to the FAQ and some of the discussions you might want to browse through. Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Aerated Compost tea FAQ and discussions...See MoreStuart Downs
7 years agoStuart Downs
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoStuart Downs
7 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGet on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)
Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHouzz TV: Make a Worm Bin for Rich Soil and Happy Plants
A worm-powered compost bin that can fit under a sink turns food scraps into a powerful amendment for your garden. Here’s how to make one
Full StoryPRODUCT PICKSGuest Picks: Fall Entertaining Favorites
Make autumn feasts a piece of cake with chic compostable plates, pretty glasses, pie accessories and more
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNGet Along With Less Lawn — Ideas to Save Water and Effort
Ditch the mower and lower your water bill while creating a feast for the eyes with diverse plantings and gathering places
Full StorySMALL HOMESHouzz Tour: Teatime for a Tiny Portable Home in Oregon
A tearoom, soaking tub and bed of tatami mats recall Japan in this 134-square-foot house on wheels
Full StoryEARTH DAYThe Case for Losing the Traditional Lawn
Work less, help the environment and foster connections by just saying no to typical turf
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESSo Your Style Is: Green
Way beyond a hue on a paint chip, green means a healthy home with a unique style designed around sustainability
Full StoryFALL GARDENING5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden
Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNTry Slow Gardening for Some Unexpected Benefits
Why set your garden on the fast track? Here's how to relax and enjoy it in an entirely new way
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESCalifornia Gardener: What to Do in July
Active green thumb or not, top priorities for peak fruit and veggie season: watering, feeding, keeping up with growth
Full Story
kimmq