~Indoor soil and stump tea~

[streets8r88]

Well to begin. I'd like to create a discussion about High Tech Garden Supplies' Stump Tea. I purchased a medium sized 4 oz bag to evaluate the product and see if it works, and how well it works. The bag itself has no companies mentioned besides HTG, and google doesn't link it to any companies besides HTG either. I'm coming to the conclusion that HTG has either taken the responsibility of selling the product and aided in the production of it, or HTG is the sole company responsible for the creation of the product that is being advertised with the following:

Bring Life To Your Roots With Stump Tea!!!
At HTG Supply, our employees are constantly searching for better ways to grow for our customers; and it was through this research that a direct relationship with the manufacturer of extremely high-quality products blossomed to produce Stump Tea, a one of a kind root enhancer! With this revolutionary ready-made brew, gardeners can now enjoy the proven benefits of compost tea in an instant liquid form (just add water)!

Stump Tea is a special blend of soil biology and beneficial Mycorrhizae that occurs naturally in the some of the world's most pristine forests. This synergistic mix vigorously inoculates the root zone and boosts metabolic rate by colonizing the roots with billions of "little helpers" that increase root size and production which in turn increases yields! Stump Tea not only has a great mix of biology, but it also incorporates soil conditioners and a few other natural ingredients to make one killer tea. Humic and fulvic acids aid in the uptake of micro and macro nutrients. Molasses feeds the biology so it can thrive. Kelp is an excellent source of natural micro and macro nutrients that are very easy for plants to take in. With all of the key elements that make up a great tea in one instant mix, Stump Tea has done all of the work for you, and ensures a perfect brew every time. Stump Tea is a proven, time-tested recipe that will impress even the most experienced of tea connoisseurs!

Stump Tea Benefits:

• 100% safe and natural ingredents create healthier plants
• Contains beneficial enzymes
• Helps to produce very lush, deep green plants
• Aids in the breakdown of nutrients for plant absorption
• Increases water retenton and enhances nutrient uptake
• Enhances the taste of fruits and vegetables (raises brix levels)
• Increases nutrient cycling in the rhizosphere (area around the roots)
• Helps plants deal with enviromental stresses better, including heat stress and disease (great for fighting harmful fungus)
• Breaks down toxins in soil and on plants

Applications:

Root Drench - Mix 1 Tbsp. per gallon.
Foliar - Mix 1 Tbsp. per gallon. Spray directly on leaves.
Transplanting - Sprinkle 1/4-1/2 Tsp. directly on the root zone.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ _________


The advertising is making it seem "godly" to say the least...

I don't like to "trust" advertising all the time. SO much misleading advertisements that make products appear better. The problem I see with stump tea is the fact that under "active ingredients" on the bag's label, it simply lists the active micro bacteria that are included in the powder. Then to the right of active ingredients, there's a couple words that say "other ingredients 97%". They don't list the other ingredients ANYWHERE...

Judging by the product's description, they did make it sound as though they have premixed molasses, and other food for the micro organisms into the powder.

Iff (the extra f implies if and only if) Stump Tea includes food for the micro organisms, then it would only make sense that either you must continually water with stump tea to feed the micro bacteria, or feed them another way.

Regardless of how the product works, I have been using it now for some time and am seeing great root results. The roots are striving for sure. But i'm curious as to how long the bacteria can support itself without needing more nutrients to convert into plant energy.

Should this product be getting more recognition for being advanced? Or is this a hoax that works but not for the right reasons..
​

 

[+ WitchDoctor +]

I know one of the managers at an HTG, he uses it on his own gardens and he definitely reps the product. The one by me mixes up 85 gallons and does free stump tea on tuesdays.

Here's the deal though...it's great as far as powdered packaged teas go. But it's no compost tea. It's got myco in it, which is probably where you are seeing great results on your roots.

Actual compost tea though, an AACT, made from real compost or worm compost is going to be at least 100 times more beneficial.

 

[Nullis]

So this is a powder I take it, not a liquid?

You might be able to find a brochure or something online that lists what the inactive ingredients are. You could also try e-mailing HTG for information. It makes perfect sense that the propagules or spores of the microbes would only be 3% or less of the total product, considering thousands upon thousands of microbes don't weigh very much or take up much room. If you've inoculated your soil with this product you can continue to feed the microbes with blackstrap molasses, liquid seaweed, humic/fulvic acids or any plant food\fertilizer rich in organic matter. The simple sugars in molasses cater primarily to bacteria, for which it is pretty much an immediate source of energy. Many bacteria also lack the enzymes required to break down more complex substances such as cellulose, lignin and chitin. Specialized bacteria, and fungi in particular are able to go to work on those tougher to digest materials. If you're growing in soil there should already be plenty of organic matter present for the microbes to break down.

Now, as for mycorrhizae, they simply don't do so well in teas. In general fungi wont do well in an environment which is more hospitable to the bacteria, such as one where there are lots of simple sugars, since the bacteria multiply more readily and will quickly dominate the substrate. Mycorrhizal fungi (most of them anyways) absolutely REQUIRE plant roots in order to live and produce spores or proliferate. For these reasons I don't see how myco could do very well in an AACT. If there are spores present they will likely get destroyed.

 

[+ WitchDoctor +]

Some people are putting myco in their AACT without problems (still can't see how it's beneficial), but some people get weird results with their teas from doing that (maybe different brands, different quality?).

I wanna say that some of the ingredients not listed may have been from fish aquarium water, or something similar on a bigger scale, since they manufacture it in reasonably big amounts...I just feel like I remember talking to someone there about it.

 

[TrynaGroSumShyt]

I know one of the managers at an HTG, he uses it on his own gardens and he definitely reps the product. The one by me mixes up 85 gallons and does free stump tea on tuesdays.

Here's the deal though...it's great as far as powdered packaged teas go. But it's no compost tea. It's got myco in it, which is probably where you are seeing great results on your roots.

Actual compost tea though, an AACT, made from real compost or worm compost is going to be at least 100 times more beneficial.

Same here. i go get free stump tea all the time from hyg store here where i am . It's a good base for making your own. its free if you bring your own container. but a $1 if they use their own.

 

[Sparks207]

How long does it last in a brewer?

 

[Sparks207]

How long does it last In the brewer

 

[Bulletproof_Love]

So this is a powder I take it, not a liquid?

You might be able to find a brochure or something online that lists what the inactive ingredients are. You could also try e-mailing HTG for information. It makes perfect sense that the propagules or spores of the microbes would only be 3% or less of the total product, considering thousands upon thousands of microbes don't weigh very much or take up much room. If you've inoculated your soil with this product you can continue to feed the microbes with blackstrap molasses, liquid seaweed, humic/fulvic acids or any plant food\fertilizer rich in organic matter. The simple sugars in molasses cater primarily to bacteria, for which it is pretty much an immediate source of energy. Many bacteria also lack the enzymes required to break down more complex substances such as cellulose, lignin and chitin. Specialized bacteria, and fungi in particular are able to go to work on those tougher to digest materials. If you're growing in soil there should already be plenty of organic matter present for the microbes to break down.

Now, as for mycorrhizae, they simply don't do so well in teas. In general fungi wont do well in an environment which is more hospitable to the bacteria, such as one where there are lots of simple sugars, since the bacteria multiply more readily and will quickly dominate the substrate. Mycorrhizal fungi (most of them anyways) absolutely REQUIRE plant roots in order to live and produce spores or proliferate. For these reasons I don't see how myco could do very well in an AACT. If there are spores present they will likely get destroyed.

If you've inoculated your soil with this product you can continue to feed the microbes with blackstrap molasses, liquid seaweed, humic/fulvic acids or any plant food\fertilizer rich in organic matter.

I was planning to buy this product instead of buying liquid kelp and molasses individually.
According to the description of the product it already has them in it:

Stump Tea not only has a great mix of biology, but it also incorporates soil conditioners and a few other natural ingredients to make one killer tea. Humic and fulvic acids aid in the uptake of micro and macro nutrients. Molasses feeds the biology so it can thrive. Kelp is an excellent source of natural micro and macro nutrients that are very easy for plants to take in. With all of the key elements that make up a great tea in one instant mix, Stump Tea has done all of the work for you, and ensures a perfect brew every time.

 

[Aruanda]

Judging by the product's description, they did make it sound as though they have premixed molasses, and other food for the micro organisms into the powder.

Iff (the extra f implies if and only if) Stump Tea includes food for the micro organisms, then it would only make sense that either you must continually water with stump tea to feed the micro bacteria, or feed them another way.

Regardless of how the product works, I have been using it now for some time and am seeing great root results. The roots are striving for sure. But i'm curious as to how long the bacteria can support itself without needing more nutrients to convert into plant energy.

Should this product be getting more recognition for being advanced? Or is this a hoax that works but not for the right reasons..
​

Hi, directed at the OP. From what I know about compost teas and EM is that you do need some source of food for them on a longer basis for them to really flourish. You are correct in your postulation as to needing to keep them fed. One solution would be to keep a regular feeding regime with more stump tea, molasses, etc. but a better solution is to lay the foundation and include compost/humus material in the soil structure which will feed them. I'm still learning more about mycorrhizae myself. Soil science and biology is just now looking out onto the vast and unknown frontier. But I recently came across this interesting article which addresses at least one aspect of why and how mycorrhizal associations are important and has specific application for CO2 uptake: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160630144507.htm

I will inquire with some people in my RegenAg/permaculture circles about some material on this subject as a whole and see how I can help clarify some details (as this is also highly interesting to me and discussing it here is an opportunity for all of us to learn). I got some of this Stump Tea and will be using it soon. May brew it with fresh worm castings too. You can follow it here if it is of interest to anyone: https://www.rollitup.org/t/northern-grow-lights-photon-180-citizen-1825-90-cri.920128/#post-12936313

Cheers!

 

[MagicalMinded1]

I going to go ahead and state the obvious here and say this thread needs to be deleted not one of you knows your arsehole from a common hole in the ground clearly... First off I'd like to start by saying that There are 3 different Stump Teas distributed by HTGSupply that will clearly help this conversation
THE FIRST BEING STUMP TEA Stump Tea Applications:

• Root Drench – Mix 1 Tbsp. per gallon.
• Foliar – Mix 1 Tbsp. per gallon. Spray directly on leaves.
• Transplanting – Sprinkle 1/4-1/2 tsp. directly on the root zone If you feel there's more information that you would like to read up on, I will leave a link directly to HTGsupplys website under each description giving you all the details that you will need to succeed and understand these products properly https://www.htgsupply.com/products/stump-tea/ THE SECOND IS CALLED STUMP TEA VEG BOOST
• Dilution Rates
  Soil: 5 – 15ml per gallon
  Foliar: 1 – 2ml per quart (For best results spray plants 15 minutes before lights go off and mix with a wetting agent.)
  As promised here's the link to the full description https://www.htgsupply.com/products/stump-tea-veg-boost/ The Thrid is Called StumpTea Sweetener
  Directions For Use
  Soil: 5-15ml per gallon
  Hydro: 2-5ml per gallon
  As promised Here's the link to the full description https://www.htgsupply.com/products/stump-tea-sweetener/

How long does it last In the brewer

Mix and brew for 12-24hrs the optimal Brew time sadly changes with the temperature of the water the temperature plays a huge role in the activity of the microbes. With the water temperature being colder it will take longer to achieve optimal Microbe levels When the water is the optimal temp and conditions the microbes will multiply faster id so suggest keeping your brewing water between 68 degreed Farenheight and 72 degrees Farenheight. make sure to use Air Stones and water circulation pumps in your brew bucket. Shortly after you turn you air stones off your brew's shelf life then begins because without air circulation your brew will then slowly become anaerobic so basically, it's best to use your fresh brew within 1/2 - 1 hr of your brew being completed so only brew what you need for that days watering Hope this helps everyone out there whos struggling to understand this concept. I'm now apart of this thread so if anyone has any more questions or issues please post and I'll do my best to pass along my knowledge and wisdom Happy Growing to you all and keep those Thumbs Green