Compost Teas: 24 hour, EM, IM, BD & fermented plant extracts

[Graeme Gerrard <ggerrard AT resonant.com.au>]

> From: "D" <madhava AT fidalgo.net>
> To: "Jeff Lowenfels" <jeff AT gardener.com>, <eddington AT lvcm.com>,
>    <Compostteas AT lists.ibiblio.org>
> Subject: Re: [Compostteas] Some info re EM in response to D
> Date: Sun, 2 Jun 2002 23:22:08 -0700
>
> I found Elaine's comment "The actinobacteria are really hard on the
> beneficial fungi." very interesting.
>
> Is it possible that by using compost tea that is not properly balanced we
> could do more harm than good in the long run to our soilfoodweb.
>
> > From what Elaine said it sounds like people using EM could suffer from a
> serious lack of beneficial fungi in the future.
>
> Could CT's cause similar problems?  If we don't have a balanced mix in the
> tea or if the mix of organisms is thrown out of whack by filters and spray
> equipment.
>
> I look a the N-P-K situation.  When people first started focusing on those
> Nutrients they were having great results.  Now, so many years later that
> trip has turned into a nightmare.
>
> I get nervous messing to much with mama nature and trying to do too much
> adding or subtracting.
>
> I'm a big fan of the idea of compost tea and plan on using it but at the
> same time I'm a little nervous.....

I also have not tried it.  I'd like to experiment with the BD compost 
preps - either making separate teas or brewing all the preps 
together.  Has anyone tried this already?  What results.

The whole thing seems very promising - but I also am "a little 
nervous" about the process.  How does one ensure there is balance in 
what the brew produces - given the question raised about pathogens 
and Elaine's comment about actinobacteria.
It is just a thought, but the processes in making the BD compost 
preps and the time involved perhaps ensure that things don't go awry. 
Actually, anyone who has made the preps will know that they do - but 
then this is obvious by normal sense observation. With CT the very 
advantage of the speed with which the stuff is produced could mean 
that there is low certainty about the outcome.

What do others with significant experience think?

--
Graeme Gerrard
ggerrard AT resonant.com.au