Compost Tea..
- Thread starter NewGrow91
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PadawanWarrior
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How much of each did you add, and did you use a bag or give it all the the plants? And what type of guano?
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1 1/2 cup castings, 2 tablespoons kelp, 2 tablespoons alfalfa, 1 tablespoon guano, about 2 tablespoons of molasses. Used a bag
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
What kind of guano? And what did you do with the leftover stuff from the bag? How big are the pots too? Pics of the plants could help also.
And personally I would have just top dressed all that stuff instead. Much easier. I also never used a bag when I've made teas. I just throw it all in and bubble. I also took out the filters in my pumps so when I would water with it, it was like a tea and a topdressing at the same time.
Down to earth seabird and didn’t use the leftovers was going to top dress it into the soil but decided not to. 5 gallon pots
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PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
They look good. Their seabird guano is kinda hot I've noticed. I've burned some pistils with it topdressing and I didn't use much. So now I like to precook that stuff. So I'll mix up the EWC, guano, and some pumice. Keep it moist and let it sit for a few days or so.
And when I say hot, I mean Hot. The actual temp of some of my mixes went over 100 degrees for a bit. I let them cool down and it's good to go.
Bat guano though I haven't had any burning issues. I started really small with topdressing, and have realized they can take plenty more than I originally thought. I've been using 1/3 cup lately when I topdress with guano and haven't had any issues.
Alfalfa meal is supposedly hot too, but I've topdressed with it and never had an issue. It doesn't heat up like some stuff either. At least the one I have. Last time I used 2/3 of a cup, and it's all good.
How often do you use a tea?
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
I haven't made a tea in over 2 years. Too much work for my lazy ass. I just top dress. My plants would love it though if I gave them one.
OSBuds
Well-Known Member
Using Compost Teas In Redbud No-till living Soil™. How Often To Use Them, and Best Practices For Optimum Results.
Gardner's have been using actively aerated compost teas for decades. Even longer compost leachate's have been used for hundreds of years by farmers all over the world. The main difference in the two is that an AACT uses air to add oxygen to the water to help multiply microbes. Where as a...
www.redbudsoilcompany.com
youraveragehorticulturist
Well-Known Member
I would call what you made a Nutrient Tea. You definitely provided some NPK with that mixture.
Your plants look pretty good, nice job so far. But it you look close you can see the tips of your leaves are just barely, slightly burned. That means your tea was just a little strong. You said it's already been 2 weeks, so if you use that recipe, you might go 3-4 weeks between teas.
If you cut your ingredients by half you'll get a milder tea that maybe won't burn, that you'll use every 2 weeks.
If you just want something to mess around with you can make a Compost Tea, just for microbes, with molasses and worm castings and use that on the in-between.
Your plants look pretty good, nice job so far. But it you look close you can see the tips of your leaves are just barely, slightly burned. That means your tea was just a little strong. You said it's already been 2 weeks, so if you use that recipe, you might go 3-4 weeks between teas.
If you cut your ingredients by half you'll get a milder tea that maybe won't burn, that you'll use every 2 weeks.
If you just want something to mess around with you can make a Compost Tea, just for microbes, with molasses and worm castings and use that on the in-between.
Okay thanks for that. I just started a another batch earlier today. I was planning on giving it to them tomorrow but I guess I’ll wait. I did notice there was yellowing on the tips. Or do you think I could dilute it with more water?
youraveragehorticulturist
Well-Known Member
Sure, you can dilute it with water. Don't go too crazy trying to feed though, things are looking good right now. Maybe just give some to the plant on the right. It's lighter than the other one. The plant on the left has a deep green, well fertilized look.