----- Original Message -----
From: James Hedley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Friday, February 07, 2003 6:16 PM
Subject: Re: CT=BDcompost,preps+Alaska humus, forest humus & kelp
> Dear Allan,
> I agree with you on the use of compost teas that are just left to brew in
> barrels. I have never used aeration.
> It is imposible to tell what bacteria is in the mixes as it would depend
on
> what was in the mix. Seems to me that manure and compost teas have been
used
> for hundreds of years without compost tea brewers. I see that the more
> complex that ypu make the techniques the less people will use it. Vote 1
for
> the use of anaerobic compost teas.
> Sincere regards
> James
Dear James
I meant to come in on this earlier, I think Elaine's
terminology is unduly harsh on our type of tea (brew if you like). I have
done some fully aerated tea a- la - Ingham style and was quite pleased with
the way it brewed - nice earthy smell, plenty of froth and bubbles, etc and
its quick. However it WILL NOT KEEP! If you take this 'proper CT ' and turn
off the air and stop stirring it degenerates rapidly (a few days) into the
most putrid, stinking, mess, that none of us would even think about putting
out on our plants or soil - THAT is Elaine Inghams' anearobic compost tea
and she's right, you wouldnt want to use this in a fit.
You and I both know that the brews we make in drums
(and in my milk vat) are nothing like that!! THERE IS NO COMPARISON !! My
stuff will keep in closed containers for at least a couple of weeks or in
the tank with an occasional stir for up to a month and still give good
results - no doubt your brews would too. I think we are doing ourselves a
huge disservice by using the anaerobic label now that it has been so closely
associated with something spoiled and rotten rather than just used to
describe a different brewing method.
There are millions of species of beneficial anaerobic
critters on earth - not all bad guys!
Cheers
Lloyd Charles
