Stone
Well-Known Member
Recently watched a program on tv where a flower grower has changed over from using regular fertilizer and pesticides/fungicides to exclusively using aerated vermicompost extracts as a daily? spray/drench. He claimed taller, stronger stems and freedom from pests and diseases.
His results were obviously outstanding (too my eyes anyway...the plants were spotless), so.....I did a little research :evil:
There is a huge amount of scientific literature available on the subject and the vast majority of it finds positive results (independant of fertilizer) in lab and field trials.
It is claimed to increase germination rates, growth rates, yield (sometimes), quality, suppress root pathogens, mites, aphids, mealy bugs and other pests.
The mineral content of the tea is directly related to the raw materials going in so this can be manipulated to some degree. And the preparation part would be important too or you could end up with brown water only But apart from the mineral elements, there seems to be many different effects from bacterial to hormonal and others.
It would be interesting to see if a regular spray and/or drench on our plants would see any benefits even if only pest or disease suppression.
Some reading for those interested:
http://www.samsoluciones.es/sam/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/produccion-con-te-de-compost1.pdf
http://growingsolutions.com/shop/images/bc0712_38.pdf
http://escholarship.org/uc/item/49t6942q#page-5
http://soilbiologicalsupplies.com.a...tea_-_Myzus_mealybug_and_2-spotted_mite_0.pdf
His results were obviously outstanding (too my eyes anyway...the plants were spotless), so.....I did a little research :evil:
There is a huge amount of scientific literature available on the subject and the vast majority of it finds positive results (independant of fertilizer) in lab and field trials.
It is claimed to increase germination rates, growth rates, yield (sometimes), quality, suppress root pathogens, mites, aphids, mealy bugs and other pests.
The mineral content of the tea is directly related to the raw materials going in so this can be manipulated to some degree. And the preparation part would be important too or you could end up with brown water only But apart from the mineral elements, there seems to be many different effects from bacterial to hormonal and others.
It would be interesting to see if a regular spray and/or drench on our plants would see any benefits even if only pest or disease suppression.
Some reading for those interested:
http://www.samsoluciones.es/sam/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/produccion-con-te-de-compost1.pdf
http://growingsolutions.com/shop/images/bc0712_38.pdf
http://escholarship.org/uc/item/49t6942q#page-5
http://soilbiologicalsupplies.com.a...tea_-_Myzus_mealybug_and_2-spotted_mite_0.pdf