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Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Here's a thought......Compost Tea (CT) is an element of growing that is gaining in popularity. CT isn't fertilizer & it isn't water. It is actually much more complex in that it involves so many more dynamics & is b rewed by the grower rather than purchased.

What would folks think about a dedicated CT board?

I know there are many CT forums on the web. But none are dedicated to Pumpkins & most are vehemently opposed to the "other inputs" that we generally agree we must use to remain competitive.

John & Ken?

7/3/2006 11:24:28 AM

Antigonish,Nova Scotia,Canada

I for one would be very interestied in such a site! looking forward to more news and info about CT!....thanks,
Bill

7/17/2006 4:52:42 PM

Connecticut, USA

Done.

7/18/2006 12:13:47 PM

No Place Special

I have seen what Don Young JR and SR have done with the tea and have heard of others using it with great success. Don Youngs and his dads leaves and plants look AMAZING. Even the old growth on their early state fair plants look MUCH younger than they are. I have my first batch ever brewing right now. Maybe tea is the next big secret in growing giants? I look forward to reading and adding input to the CT board, great idea Steve.

7/18/2006 12:38:37 PM

great suggestion steve,,and ty ken !

I learned about manure tea(the old burlap sack in the barrel trick) 35 years ago from some great oldtimers that took the time to show me some of the tricks that made the gardens standout in this northwoods, short season area.

I have used many forms of it since then, this year I started "aerating" worm casting tea for use on the AG's after reading some of the posts and Monty's "how too" here. I have been mixing up some different recipes as the season progresses, base of molassass, adding alfalfa meal, bone meal,substituting rabbit manure occasionally. This has been all hit and miss(perhaps experienced brewers can throw out some actual recipes) but they all have worked in the brew. I usually run 2, 25 gallon batches a week and dilute with water b4 application to all the AG's as well as veggies in the garden. Everything looks great at this point.

7/18/2006 7:26:33 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Thank you Ken.

A timely entry indeed.

After seeing the hopes of several growers dashed this year by Fusarium, I decided to look into alternative methods of controlling it.

Another motive of mine is rather selfish. I want to control or suppress diseases without the use of chemical fungicides at my son's elementary school.

7/18/2006 11:10:32 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Just today I spent about 40 minutes on the phone with Joseph J. Whaley BS, MED who is the Executive Director at the Sustainable Studies Institute. SSI is a nonprofit that works closely & shares office space with Dr. Elaine Ingham's Soil Foodweb, Inc. in Oregon.

Dr. Ingham referred Joe Whaley to me because they would like the CT GS&PGA to try a pilot program to control Fusarium in one of our member's heavily infested (Fusarium) patch.

Joe knows that I am approaching this experiment with guarded caution. I have insisted on a soil background Fusarium test so we can quantify the results. In exchange, Joe insists on personally designing our compost & the brewing resipe so as to insure success. However he also requires we step up with the required $600 worth of "tea testing" to make sure our teas are measuring up to his standards.

7/18/2006 11:10:38 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

For the record, it is assumed by Joe Whaley that we will achieve 100% Fusarium control of we follow SSI's prescription program. This is an unusually strong assumption on behalf of Joe but I am looking forward to testing his methods.

7/18/2006 11:19:57 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

Steve get in touch with G , i think he say's he got it...LOL

7/19/2006 1:09:10 PM

Mastic Beach, New York

"100% fusarium"

7/19/2006 1:10:25 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Billy,

I've talked with G about F but not about CT yet. I'll call him. LOL

Pumpkin codes...cool.

7/19/2006 2:33:13 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Great idea Steve! Thanks to you as well Ken!

7/21/2006 8:13:39 AM

President - GPC

Great Idea.....Also I like the fulvic acid spray from the heirloom tomatoe lady in CA......this too seems to make way too much sense.....Thxs for the CT postin T N CT....Yo Wiz N CO

7/21/2006 9:34:10 AM