Compost Tea Question

Daveyloco

Member
I got lazy and didn't swing by my local hydro store to pick up Fox Farm or Happy Frog like I normally do. Instead I picked up some miracle grow moisture control potting soil to transplant some clones (which I've never used ever).

Soon after I finished transplanting I read about how the petroleum based fertilizers can be harmful for the
environment, shame on me I would probably just take note and not go that route in the future, however I'm just now getting with the program and starting to use compost teas.

My question is, will using Miracle grow soil harm or negate the effects of beneficial micro organisms from compost teas? If so I'll need to transplant all over again using the right soil.
 

Bugeye

Well-Known Member
The synthetic nutes and time release chemicals are not good for your micro-organisms. AACT's are used by folks trying to convert their gardens from synthetic nutes back to organics to speed up the process so it isn't like it will hurt your plant. Just won't get the full benefit of the teas right out of the gate.
 

dannyboy602

Well-Known Member
Extra N in the soil leaches into waterways and increases algae populations and robs oxygen from lakes and rivers. I don't see where it does anything with respect to microbial activity. However all this goes out the window once you use tap water (chlorine and chloromine) to water your plants. You can take out those harmful microbe killing elements with products available from many aquarium shops. Do that before you mix up a batch of tea.
 

Bugeye

Well-Known Member
No worries. I believe it is technically the chelating agents on slow release fertilizers that are nasty for your microbes.
 
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