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Denver, CO

I know the story of my life. But anyways, I tried to brew a batch for the frist time today. Have 10 gallons in a trash can, with 1.5 cups worm castings, 1/2 cup of molasses and 1/2 cup of Seaweed (neptunes).

Temps were near 100 degrees here today, about 90 degrees in the shade where my brewer is. Within about 2 hours, 2 inches of a foam head appeared. I have read that the tea is done at this point. I have read that it takes 24 hours. I have read that you wiil know its done when you see it looks like a weak tea color.

How can I tell when my tea is ready to apply. I dont have a oxygen probe.
Thanks in advance
ghopson427@yahoo.com

7/19/2008 11:52:00 PM

Colorado Springs, Co (wtmanc3mc3@hotmail.com)

foam is no idicator whatsoever that the tea is ready. brew it for 24 -48 hrs and then use it. Sometimes they foam up well, sometimes they hardly foam at all, the foam is not really an idicator of whether or not the tea is good or bad either one. but generally speaking, 24 hrs minimum brew time, and i usually let mine go to 48 when i am feeling lazy.

7/20/2008 10:59:39 AM

Denver, CO

I understand the time tables of 24 hours or 48 hours, but why not 5 hours or 36 hours or whatever else time a person can come up with. It seems like there is no real way to if CT is finished or not. It's like we are just guessing or as if there is no science behind the process.

7/20/2008 1:11:17 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

There have been a bunch of studies by Tom Wilson that indicated 3 days for maximum bacteria growth and reproduction, not to mention fungus strands.
http://www.microbeorganics.com/
Check out the website and order the videos.
Its better to be informed on what you are doing instead of brewing tea just because people say its good.
A few real ways of telling how you tea is doing is by testing it with a Dissolved Oxygen meter, and putting it under a microscope, I've used a cheap-o from Ebay and saw critters swimming.
What ever you do, learn what is trying to be accomplished by brewing tea, and how to do it the right way.

7/20/2008 7:41:24 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Damn, its Tim Wilson, I appologize for the error.

7/20/2008 7:42:12 PM

Seattle, WA

ghopson,

The way those ranges were established is by looking at the teas through a microscope and determining when the largest numbers and diversity of microorganisms existed.

Foam is typically a byproduct of using vermicompost and is not an indicator of a good or bad tea. A couple of teaspoons of vegetable oil will do the trick in reducing foaming without harming the tea.

Couple of suggestions:
When brewing at such high temps, you will want to drastically reduce your food inputs. At that temp., you would probably want to be on the shorter range (24 hours), as the organisms will multiply more rapidly at that temp. I would also use more initial compost and from more than one source if possible. We use almost 1.5 cups in our 5 gallon brewing system.

Oh, and great advice Tom! Tim's dvd is a good starting point, but it only helpful if you have a microscope.

7/21/2008 2:32:52 PM

Littleton, Colo

Thanks Tom..Tad

7/22/2008 11:46:47 PM