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Bear Creek, NC

This being my first year at brewing tea I have looked at different recipes and believe that Star Farms has the easiest. However, of the two he has listed, is one better than the other? Also I am having trouble finding seaweed extract and alaskan humis. Thanks for any help you can offer.

5/1/2011 12:20:18 AM

Georgetown, Ontario

Both those products are available at most hydroponics stores.

5/1/2011 7:31:04 AM

Seattle, WA

We also carry them at www.simplici-tea.com.

As far as seaweed goes, look for "cold water processed ascophyllum nodosum" Maxicrop has a different extraction method that's slightly inferior. Top brands are Acadian Seaplants and Nature's Essence (what we carry), though the Acadian is probably easier to find in your area.

Personally I would substitute the alaska humus with our fungal compost or if you can find some good local earthworm castings that would work as well.

Here's some more recipes to toss into the mix from my hobby site:
http://gardeningwithmicrobes.com/teaarticle2.shtml

The other articles might be worth a scan too if this is all new to you.

Good luck!

~Tad

5/2/2011 1:11:45 PM

Seattle, WA

Oh and I believe the Alaska Humus also goes by Ancient Forest in the hydro shops under the General Hydroponics brand.

5/2/2011 1:12:22 PM

Bear Creek, NC

I would have never thought it, but I found a hydro store online about an hour from me. I'll check to see what they can get. Got my 55gal brewer ready to try out. Just need to find those two ingredients. Thanks guys

5/2/2011 5:50:50 PM

Bear Creek, NC

I found the seaweed extract but they didnn't have the humus. Can I use just castings? Will that do a good enough job? Thanks.

5/3/2011 8:44:38 AM

Wi

Altgarden.com has great customer support in vast knowledge on their extensive product line.

6/2/2011 3:36:06 AM

Seattle, WA

Castings tend to work great, that would be my recommendation. Our fungal compost has excellent biology and is lab tested as well.

http://simplici-tea.com/fungal_compost.htm

6/2/2011 1:12:15 PM

Newfoundland,pa

I'VE BEEN MAKING MY OWN, I USE A 3 GALLON BUCKET. I FILL IT HALF WAY WITH MANUER, ADD SOME COMPOST(3 CUPS MAYBE)SOME HAY WITH MANUER DRIED IT. FILL THE BUCKET ABOUT 7/8ths FULL, THEN TOP IT WITH WATER. I GIVE IT A STIR TWICE A DAY. IS THIS GOOD ENOUGH? I READ IT ON THE INTERNET THAT IT IS READY IN A WEEK, BUT YOU NEED TO DILUTE IT 10:1 BECAUSE IT IS POTENT. I'M NEW TO GROWING BP's AND I WAS CURIOUS IF THIS IS TRUE AND USEABLE

6/14/2011 1:14:19 PM

Seattle, WA

Tugz71,

What you're describing is a manure tea or a non-aerated tea. You'll be brewing up anaerobic organisms for the most part, using that methodology. Now some cultures such as the Chinese have been using a similar technique for years. The danger is that pathogens from the manure (such as e. coli) could be reproducing in such a mix and then be sprayed on your plants. Since you're not eating the pumpkin it's not as much of a concern. It is also possible to burn the plants, as this would be more of a soluble nutrient application than a biological application (which is what you're going for when making aerated compost tea).

Checkout the articles at www.gardeningwithmicrobes.com and I explain the differences in a bit more detail. Good luck!

6/15/2011 12:25:27 PM

Newfoundland,pa

thanks for the advice-i'll check it out

6/15/2011 12:54:39 PM