compost tea question???

hey guys and girls, just got a quick question for you... we have had a compost tea sitting in a bucket outside for about 2 years now, comprised of horse and rabbit shit, and any leaves that have fallen into it... it hasnt been stirred or anything for god knows how long and is now like a brown sludge... do u still think it would be suitable to decant and water with?

cheers, steve.

Good question. Curious about the answer as well

hmm anaerobic decomposition in water sounds acidic. test the pH. then if the pH in in range start watering some other plant with it. If it dies don't use it. If it flourishes go for it.

svchop889 said:

hmm anaerobic decomposition in water sounds acidic. test the pH. then if the pH in in range start watering some other plant with it. If it dies don't use it. If it flourishes go for it.

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true, idk about using something like that if its just been sitting. that means it just gets stagnant. the good anaerobic bacteria will live only if it is feed( molasses) and oxygen(air stone or air jet)

siccmade420 said:

true, idk about using something like that if its just been sitting. that means it just gets stagnant. the good anaerobic bacteria will live only if it is feed( molasses) and oxygen(air stone or air jet)

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Liquid Manures

Mixtures of plant and animal byproducts steeped as an extract—stinging nettle, comfrey, seaweed, fish wastes, fish meal. Liquid manures are a blend of marine products (local fish wastes, seaweed extract, kelp meal) and locally harvested herbs, soaked and fermented at ambient temperatures for 3 to 10 days. Liquid manures are prepared similarly to herbal tea—the material is fully immersed in the barrel during the fermenting period, then strained and diluted and used as a foliar spray or soil drench. Liquid manures supply soluble nutrients and bioactive compounds.

Summary

Compost teas and herbal teas are tools that can be made on the farm to enhance crop fertility and to inoculate the phyllosphere and rhizosphere with soluble nutrients, beneficial microbes, and the beneficial metabolites of microbes.

Caution

Wheareas raw animal manures are used as a compost windrow feedstock, the composting process—thermophyllic heating to 135-160° F for 10-15 days—assures pathogen reduction. The raw organic matter initially present in the compost windrow undergoes a complete transformation, with humus as an end product. Any pathogens associated with raw manures will be gone. So caution is extended: Manure teas are NOT the same thing as compost teas or compost extracts. Because of concerns over new pathogenic strains of E. coli, the author advises growers to reconsider manure teas and/or to work with a microbial lab to ensure a safe, worthwhile product.