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Littlerock, WA

Hi all, I'm brewing my first big batch (45 gallons) and was wondering if I need to use it all immediately, or can I put it in jugs for later use?

6/19/2010 12:00:31 AM

South East

apply as soon as possible after brewing. Do not save it for extended periods of time, as the tea wil turn bad on you.

6/19/2010 7:43:09 AM

Coupeville WA

Cindy,
Your window of opportunity is 4 hours after the brew. It does have some hold time but not much.

6/19/2010 10:47:40 AM

Littlerock, WA

Thanks guys! Also, another question: I looked at the tea with a microscope after 12 hours, and don't see any little beasties swimming around like I see in Frank and Tina's diary pics. It's not a super-powered mircroscope or anything....so maybe I wouldn't see them. Or maybe it's too early in the brewing process? Maybe not enough food supply? To 45 gallons of H20 I added 3/4 cup soluable kelp powder concentrate, 12 oz molasses, 11 cups castings, 11 cups of alfalfa pellets. It's got a big foamy head on it right now, but I don't see little things swimming around. Is that OK?

6/19/2010 11:40:38 AM

24 to 36 hrs optimum time frame

6/19/2010 11:47:53 AM

South East

Cindy check out this site:

http://www.microbeorganics.com/

If you read thru it, theres short clips of active compost tea and a narator (the brewer) explaining to you what you see. You see tea in various stages and brew times, and theres recipes to. A valuable site for tea brewing. Make sure you read thru the whole page. Good luck.

6/19/2010 12:03:24 PM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

Cindy, use it within 1 hour after brewing for the best results. If you add fish do it at the beginning as it is being found that the tea can turn anaerobic quickly if you add it at the end. It is recommended to add fish in separate applications now. We will be looking at compost tea under the microscope on the bigscreen at the patch tour. I should have a date soon. Ryan

6/25/2010 7:46:27 PM