Question about Compost Teas

keysareme

keysareme

Well-Known Member
My most recent batch brewed out well at about 73f.

Throughout the cycle, the temperatures most likely went up and down due to daytime and night time conditions.

I wanted to cool the Tea to around 65f, and I did using blue ice blocks.

Does cooling compost tea down do any damage to the microbial life or quality of the tea? If so, would 73f be too hot to water the tea in at, and if it is, what is a safe way to lower the temp before feeding?

Thank you for letting me know.
 
P

purplegrower02

Well-Known Member
I don't see why watering at 73 would be harmful.

as I understand microbes an d fungi are "happier" at around 75-80. Once they multiple and grow I don't see u there doing a significant harm in c oolong it down. The ones that will die will be so miniscule it's nothing to worry about.
 
Pattahabi

Pattahabi

Well-Known Member
You're fine without cooling, 65-75 degrees is optimal for brewing. Watering will be fine. Certainly it rains on a 73+ degree day. ;)

P-
 
burgertime2010

burgertime2010

Well-Known Member
Cool tea by leaving it in a black bag overnight. Wake up and water. I should say if climate permits this. Microbes should be fine. What is your tea like?
 
Pattahabi

Pattahabi

Well-Known Member
burgertime2010 said:
Cool tea by leaving it in a black bag overnight. Wake up and water. I should say if climate permits this. Microbes should be fine. What is your tea like?
Click to expand...
No. Microbes will not be fine. Look for the work of Tim Wilson and Elaine Ingram. They have studied compost teas extensively. Compost teas have a specific recipe for maximum multiplication and need to maintain a certain level of dissolved O2. Teas brew for a specific amount of time under specific conditions. The information is out there if people are willing to put in the time to read the material and the work to put together a good brewer.

I recently checked the dissolved O2 levels in my teas. Even with a way over-sized pump, I barely have enough dissolved O2 because of my brewer. Adding more inputs is only going to drop the O2 further increasing the chance your brew is going to go anaerobic.

P-
 
burgertime2010

burgertime2010

Well-Known Member
Pattahabi said:
No. Microbes will not be fine. Look for the work of Tim Wilson and Elaine Ingram. They have studied compost teas extensively. Compost teas have a specific recipe for maximum multiplication and need to maintain a certain level of dissolved O2. Teas brew for a specific amount of time under specific conditions. The information is out there if people are willing to put in the time to read the material and the work to put together a good brewer.

I recently checked the dissolved O2 levels in my teas. Even with a way over-sized pump, I barely have enough dissolved O2 because of my brewer. Adding more inputs is only going to drop the O2 further increasing the chance your brew is going to go anaerobic.

P-
Click to expand...
I am a tea newbie. I dont use much on the organic side, but innoculation is important in any grow. I just put bennies, carbs, seaweed and humic acid in the dark and keep it bubbly.
 
Pattahabi

Pattahabi

Well-Known Member
burgertime2010 said:
I am a tea newbie. I dont use much on the organic side, but innoculation is important in any grow. I just put bennies, carbs, seaweed and humic acid in the dark and keep it bubbly.
Click to expand...
Burgertime, Google those names, read. They have spent a lot of years brewing compost teas and looking at the microbes through a microscope. Look at soilfoodweb.com and microbeorganics.com. Imo these people are at the forefront of compost teas.

P-
 
keysareme

keysareme

Well-Known Member
purplegrower02 said:
I don't see why watering at 73 would be harmful.

as I understand microbes an d fungi are "happier" at around 75-80. Once they multiple and grow I don't see u there doing a significant harm in c oolong it down. The ones that will die will be so miniscule it's nothing to worry about.
Click to expand...
Nice, thank you.

Pattahabi said:
You're fine without cooling, 65-75 degrees is optimal for brewing. Watering will be fine. Certainly it rains on a 73+ degree day. ;)

P-
Click to expand...
Awesome, thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top