The title explain it all. Also when should they be used and what are the benefits of both Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
Um, where did you get the number "2" from? I'm thinking you may be talking about something else. If not, here is some insight... In a tea, you are essentially "freeing" the bacteria (millions upon billions), protazoa (again, millions), and fungi. It is more so thought of as a "bioreactive" process because the herd will divide about once every 20 minutes...that's exponential growth, every 20 min, for about 36hrs (some say less, because at 36 it's essentially overkill). All of these guys feed/release your amendments...allowing the free uptake by your roots, and so on. That's about all I'll add. I'm sure these folks can give you a more rounded explanation, as I'm severely new at this. Hope it helps.. Lu
We've got an AACT thread around here somewheres Lamont - may have some information for you in it... J
What are the 2 types of bacteria that compost tea adds? The 'good guys' and the 'bad guys'. Labels should identify benefits of either or both. Survival of the fittest if you will.
I guess I thought there was a fungal tea and a micro-bacterial tea. One type that happened at around 24 hr brew and another 36-48. Am I way off base here Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
If you are using a quality compost/vermicompost, a 36 hour brew with proper aeration will generate bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. I have verified this with my own microscope. Protozoa are important because they feed on bacteria and fungi and by doing so they complete the nutrient cycling process. Protozoa utilize ~40% (don't quote me!) of the minerals contained within the microbes that they feed on, and excrete the rest as waste in the form of soluble nutrients that are ready for adsorption by the plants roots. From my understanding, microbial specific brews are better used for preventing/battling pathogenic soil/plant infestation. If you're trying to maximize nutrient cycling in your soil by applying an ACT, you're going to want to brew long enough for the protozoa to show up in the tea. Have you ever visited this site? http://microbeorganics.com/