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San Jose California

New grower---I was advised by whom I believed to be a good
tomato grower, to just make a simple worm casting tea in
a 3 gallon bucket with a few cups of just worm castings,
nothing else, and no aeration, and sit for 48 hrs. I did
this last year for my tomatoes and pumpkins---is this considered anaerobic and harmful?

3/29/2012 3:22:53 PM

President - GPC

Could be, how did it smell? Best bet is to areate to deter the bad biology and encourage the aerobic.....

3/29/2012 3:40:23 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

You want your tea to be well aerated and brew for only 16 to 24 hours - too short and the beneficial microbes haven't grown yet; too long and they run out of food source and die due to overpopulation. Anaerobic tea introduces harmful pathogens to the soil and plant and should not be used.

3/29/2012 4:44:19 PM

Goodwood, Ontario, Canada

The experts I've read suggest brewing for 36 to 42 hours. Maybe it is dependent upon the ingredients of the tea???

3/29/2012 4:57:57 PM

San Jose California

WIZ, smell wasn't bad as I remember, didn't taste so good though!!!

Orangeneck--would mine have been considered anaerobic then?
I do plan to aerate this year for sure!

3/29/2012 5:03:25 PM

Seattle, WA

Kurtis,

Worm castings probably didn't have much in the way of pathogens or bad anaerobes (worms are highly efficient at removing such microbes).

There was a recent thread on the compost tea yahoo forum about simple ways to make teas without aeration. Essentially they were stating you can stir vigorously (don't add any or much food sources) and then stir when you walk by the bucket throughout the day, and then apply 24 hours later.

Not the same concentrations of microbes as a properly made ACT, but can still have some nutrient/microbial benefits.

3/29/2012 5:39:53 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Kurtis i would go with whatever tad says he is the resident authority on tea. The timings I stated are what is recommended for my 5 gallon setup and ingredients.

3/30/2012 9:10:15 AM

Seattle, WA

Orangeneck,

I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes, just sharing what I've learned. I hope you'll continue to post your experiences as well.

3/30/2012 2:09:00 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Tad, I use your KIS brewer, and tea packets lol. All I know is how to dump the stuff in there, wait, and spray it when it's ready.

3/30/2012 6:14:16 PM

Sourthern Utah

its not harmfull, if u stir it a couple times a day,, i use similar fer my kins and maters,, but after ,, 72 hrs it will sour,, fer sure

3/30/2012 9:01:49 PM

San Jose California

Thanks all for the reply(s) I'm getting started on putting together my tea brewer!

4/2/2012 2:24:33 PM

Seattle, WA

Orangeneck,

Well when you buy a commercial brewing system, that's essentially what you're paying for, that the company has done all the necessary testing for you so that you don't have to have a microscope or worry that your brew could go anaerobic if you follow their instructions.

4/2/2012 3:27:55 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Is there a visual...what does it look like, to know if it's done, and ready to use? Peace, Wayne

4/20/2012 12:09:08 AM