Watering with Tea?

[Abstract Gardenist]

What UP fellow RollitUP members! This is my first post for my first grow but im not new to the science of plants but I do have questions pertaining to my experiments with marijuana. So my first question for you good people is...Has any body ever use Tea water to water their plants? And if so what where your results?

So there you have it people, I broke my rollitup verginity and I'm glad you people could be apart of it. LOL

 

[richkid]

hi and welcome, how do u figure tea would help? i mean i don't think u would feed your plant kool-aid

 

[Abstract Gardenist]

Who would doubt tea then compare it to kool aid? Lol.... A kid who either is not old enough to take a biology class or severely failed the class. Thanks "richkid" for the reply! Ur a funny guy...or should I say boy?
Anyway here's my theory...

Compost Tea: Is a low-nutrient liquid that results from placeing compost and/or plant debris into water and allowing it to decompose.

What you do is put 1 gallon of compost into a 5 gallon bucket then put 3 gallons of water, stir then place a bubbler at the bottom of the bucket and let it sit for 5 to 10 days. Then strain all the compost as best as you can.
This process encourages the losening of microbes adhearing to the compost & soil particles so they are transferred into the water itslef.

How does this benefit the plants?
well, anecdotal evidence dateing back hundreds of years in Europe suggest the compost tea may be effective against pathogens associated with foilar and fruit diseases. The theory is that bacteria, fungi and other components in the tea act as biological controls.

So my theory is replace the compost with herbal tea. When you boil tea, some of what dissolves is mineral nutrients that plants require, thus tea may act as a low level fertilizer. Camomile tea is known as an antifungle. Plus tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, second only to water. There are several health benefits from drinking tea and most of all tea is made of plants so why wouldent it be beneficial for plant growth? If anybody knows anything more or has done it please let me know? Any input or even thoughts about my experiment would be great.

 

[Seamaiden]

No offense but, how would anyone know that you're speaking more specifically of a compost tea and not just another person asking a rather inane question? If you've really spent much time reading around here then you know there is no shortage of inane questions.

In any event, I'm using a mild blood meal tea for my new hatchlings, but the grow is new and too early to assess results. I am also going to combine a homemade urine fertilizer, as all my research shows that it's actually very very good if used when relatively fresh and well-diluted with water. My issues at this point are more with my source water (well, and very hard with a high mineral content) and I'm now getting that haze on the surface of the soil. Town is too many miles away to reasonably buy water, so I'm waiting for a good day to go hit one of the local waterways and get some surface water.

I may utilize compost tea once our compost pile is going well, at this point it's just too new and too small to have broken down well enough for use. It's certainly a good idea, especially given all the "did I burn my plants?" and "Nute burn!" threads.

As for actually using "tea", you're talking about an herbal tea, and I think you may run into problems if using certain plants. Chemical warfare is well known and documented in Cnidaria spp. (corals and corallimorphs) and I wouldn't be surprised if it is just as documented in terrestrial plants. Also, we cannot immediately assume that good nutritive value for one (humans) equals good nutritive value for the other (plants), so at this point I personally am incredulous as to the utility and efficacy of herbal teas for watering plants. Unless, of course, there's good research showing results.

 

[babylonburn]

yes piss works wonders,i think its high in nitro etc...compost tea is basically jus what a good fertile land has when decades of plant matter is broken down u basically jus aid in the enviorment and add a bucket etc..lol...

 

[richkid]

haha you got me there Abstract Gardenist, I shouldn't compare tea and kool-aid, I am just a beginner. I am not a kid though, if I were than I wouldn't be on this board, and I got A's in all of my science classes. I'm no dummy or am I? But I can see where you can think I am a "boy", my sense of humor and my user name. Im neither rich(my middle name bro) or a kid haha.



My main point is, if you are looking for nutrients for your plants, then why wouldn't you just go buy nutes? If you are getting nute burn then you obviously not experienced enough. It is not the mistake of the product, It is the mistake of the grower. Though I wouldn't know anything about nutes cuz im doing all natural grow.

 

[Seamaiden]

yes piss works wonders,i think its high in nitro etc...compost tea is basically jus what a good fertile land has when decades of plant matter is broken down u basically jus aid in the enviorment and add a bucket etc..lol...

Yeah, but he wants to water the plants with herbal tea, like chamomile.

I've done two feedings with urine diluted in water (and that pee was diluted with beer), and then I had to leave. I hear my plants are doing famously, though.

 

[Ender07]

Abstract, please don't be so quick to insult other members of this forum. We are here to help eachother, and a JOKE from richkid does not give you justification to make a personal attack. Thanks.

 

[Ender07]

On the subject of tea (herbal tea?)... thats an interesting question and idea. I hope some of the pro's on here give us the down-low on it.

Richkids comment reminded me of that luke wilson movie, Idiocracy, where everyone on planet earth degenerated into retards and they were watering their plants with Gatorade "Cuz its got Eeelectroliiiites" good stuff. Needless to say, the plants didnt grow.

 

[Seamaiden]

Honestly, my own thoughts on it are that I see absolutely no benefit. For someone to think that they can extrapolate what's good for humans (not even all humans at that) as being good for plants is inane. Plants evolved not drinking tea, but drinking water and taking up nutrients available in the soil. Everything evolved to best utilize what was available, not the other way around.

 

[Abstract Gardenist]

LOL ok everbody you are all funny people and all your points are well taken. I'm a New Yorker so I'm naturally sarcastic wich richkid is too, im surprised that people took offence I thought us stoners would be more laid back or maybe some just need to get laid. But richkid and I are cool.

So about my theory...well...first let touch on the fact that seamaiden thinks my idea is "inane"

Now their are 25 elements that are recognized as essential componets of plants, animal and man. These elements are called "bioessential". Phosphorus, potassium and salphur are regarded as macronutrients essential in all living systems.

Magnesium: In sulfate form when used in a bath is known for drawing toxins from the body and it is a key element in the cholorphyll molecule.

Iron: Is critical for cholorphyll formation and photosyntheis, but lack of iron in a human causes anaemia. Iron is also nessary for white blood cells in disease immunity.

Calcium: Is used in cell wall structure and is the primary mineral used in bone structure.

So, I could go on but my point is that what is good for plants CAN be good humans and vice versa. Now these bioessential elements will not have the same effect on both plants and humans but they do help in different ways and doses.

So the fact that seamaiden says what is good for humans cant be good for plants is inane and insane in itself.

Now to relate all that to my theory with herbal tea......
Humans eat plants for the nutrients (salad) so why not apply "viceversa" herbal tea is has water in it and a low amount of nutrients derived from plants.

Now I'm an organic person and this theory is a thought of mine to be more organic and to save a little money on nutes and it may make a better taste.

Ender07: I thought the same thing about his comment, funny shit and I was jokeing too so chill out.

Richkid: Like I said, your a funny guy and no hard feelings, we cool. I dont have nute burn just a theory.

 

[Abstract Gardenist]

Seamaiden: Yes plants did not evolve drinking tea. Yes, plants did evolve to best utilize what was available in the soil, so why not use nutrients derived from a plant and add it to the soil of a growing plant so that it can utilize the nutrients.

 

[[BionicChronic]]

dude your a fuckin genus. fuckin A never thought about using tea as it has everything in it that a plant needs to live. mmmm. i might do this on my next gro.=] witch im at the point of allmost choppin my ladie down. hopefully she will have a great smoke to it. and dude. do you have aim or msn? NO HOMO!. just wanted to talk to someone that actually knows what there doing cuz most people on this site could suck a good one. cuz they dont really help at all just criticizes me about how bad my pla nts are. but you kno what. there gourgous to me.=] hopefully people could find there sense of humor and be nice. thanks.
-Bionic.

 

[Abstract Gardenist]

What up bionic, thanks for the complement but I'm no genus, I dont know everything, wish I did because I wouldent have had to ask people about watering with tea. One thing I want to make clear is that tea does not have everything to sustain quality plant growth say as to nutes. I'm talking about useing tea as an additive such as bat guano. I belive that the greatest effect tea will have on a plant is an increase of taste, I have never seen the produce derived from a plant watered with tea alone, but if anybody cares I will post my conclusion here in a few months.

Bionic: Again thanks for the complement, I know what you mean with people on here , but every great idea is always met by criticism so we will see if I can prove my theory to be fact in not only taste but looks so there is visual proof. As for IM service, I dont have any but I will keep an eye on your post & if I know anything about the subject of your post I'll reply. Good luck with ur grow.

 

[fabricsoftener]

dude your a fuckin genus. fuckin A never thought about using tea as it has everything in it that a plant needs to live. mmmm. i might do this on my next gro.=] witch im at the point of allmost choppin my ladie down. hopefully she will have a great smoke to it. and dude. do you have aim or msn? NO HOMO!. just wanted to talk to someone that actually knows what there doing cuz most people on this site could suck a good one. cuz they dont really help at all just criticizes me about how bad my pla nts are. but you kno what. there gourgous to me.=] hopefully people could find there sense of humor and be nice. thanks.
-Bionic.

People are just jealous dude don't take the criticism too harshly. They wish they could of had a great grow like yours. Your ladies looked fantastic!

 

[fabricsoftener]

What up bionic, thanks for the complement but I'm no genus, I dont know everything, wish I did because I wouldent have had to ask people about watering with tea. One thing I want to make clear is that tea does not have everything to sustain quality plant growth say as to nutes. I'm talking about useing tea as an additive such as bat guano. I belive that the greatest effect tea will have on a plant is an increase of taste, I have never seen the produce derived from a plant watered with tea alone, but if anybody cares I will post my conclusion here in a few months.

Bionic: Again thanks for the complement, I know what you mean with people on here , but every great idea is always met by criticism so we will see if I can prove my theory to be fact in not only taste but looks so there is visual proof. As for IM service, I dont have any but I will keep an eye on your post & if I know anything about the subject of your post I'll reply. Good luck with ur grow.

Please do the grow with the tea! I would love to see the results. Great idea by the way!

 

[Abstract Gardenist]

hey, fabric thanks for the positive vibes. I thought it was a great idea too. I'm surprised more people dont belive in it. I will continue with growing while watering with tea but so far no difference but at the same time no problems. So at this point the cups half full. I should explain how I'm testing this: Two identical plant with identical nute mixture (foxfarms) addend to boiled disstled water wich I Ph at 6.5 after nutes added. The difference is when I boil the water one batch has 4 "azo" brand calm style tea to every gallon of water then I add nutes wich still pHs at 6.5

 

[5thwheelrvgrower]

I wonder how the plant turned out.

 

[MAD.SCIENTIST]

I wonder how the plant turned out.

No idea. But he should have drank the herbal teas, let the used tea bags dry out and then sprinkle the dry stuff on top of his soil as a top dressing