Compost Tea shelf life???

[OriginalMan]

I was wondering how long the compost tea would remain viable after you have brewed it. Or should I just plan on having a constant brew going on? I'm finding that I'm brewing too much and want to know if I'm just wasting the excess nutes. I don't know if I worded the q right

 

[EnkoGnitto]

I usually go by the smell......It's pretty obvious when it's gone bad, lol

 

[Relik]

Hi fellows, as EnkoGnitto stated you can tell by the smell if your tea has gone bad (anaerobic). It will smell more like shit or a sewer when anaerobic, whereas a good tea (aerobic) smells sweet, with compost undertones.

I usually dump the excess tea in my garden or on the compost pile, as I don't like to waste stuff. If you don't have a garden or a compost pile I'd suggest brewing less important quantities until you find what amount is good for you.

Good luck peace

 

[OriginalMan]

Thanks EnkoGnito, and Relic for your responses. I guess I should have known that it will start to smell like ...um...shit....lol. Relik you are right, I was a little overzealous when it came to brewing my tea (I figured I would need more than I did.). Well if I make more than I need, I'll just go water some of my moms flowers, they look like they could use it. Peace

 

[vonforne]

Well the smell takes a couple of days to come about. the micro-organisms in the tea start to die off after a few hours of not being aerated. Thus starting to produce the bad smell you are describing.

V

 

[OriginalMan]

Thanks Von for chiming in. Ok, I see. Basically don't make anymore than needed, as to not be wasteful. This was something that I have been wondering for a couple of days and have forgot to ask.

 

[3BM]

This is actually a very interesting question. I agree completely with everything that has been said so far. Microbial life is the cornerstone of brewing or fermenting a good tea. Once the tea has been brewing for a few days what happens if you stick the tea into cold storage? Freezing and refrigeration will preserve enzymes. The tea will not contain active BB but will still contain all the products they worked to produce; not to mention their biomass which may contain inert but alive bacteria. Teas can keep in refrigeration for a 1-2 wks. Frozen they will keep for months, but should be thawed at low temperature (not in the microwave, but in cool water) and used immediately after thaw. Another trick is to add a preservative like citric acid or baking soda before removing all air from a container, this will keep the mixture inert and fresh for months in a cool dry place until air is reintroduced. So the question of how long a tea will last is actually a bit more complex. Keeping a tea active will guarantee a huge dose of active organisms along with the fruits of their labor in enzymes and other organic compounds. But other preservation methods will extend the life of the tea beyond this active period, though without a huge dose of active organisms.

I would love to hear others thoughts on this subject. Ive had good experience with these methods, but what about you?


3bm

 

[Omega Rasta]

Well put 3BM....I use a simple 1 gallon container for compost teas, guano teas and worm casting tea as well.
I add 1 teaspoon of Bio Genesis Synergy for the yummies and a sweetener which keeps the brew useful.

The simple chore of adding 1/2 teaspoon of sea kelp cocentrate along with a 6 inch air stone helps the living organisms remain happy and basically without scent....or atleast a scent that is stealth.


Omega Rasta

 

[OriginalMan]

So it seems the question isn't as cut and dry as I thought. Very interesting.....

 

[visualsensation]

How long will it last if you keep it bubbling??

I am making a gallon of tea at a time but using alot less at the minute..Can I keep it alive for weeks as long as it is aerated?

I cut my tea when watering with 75% R.O. water. is this correct?

I had problems getting my teas to look like some of the pictures I have seen, but have that fixed and working like a charm at the moment, but I do not want to thin it out too much nor do I want to use it on my other plants all of the time. I would rather be able to keep it alive and use until gone to mix another batch.

 

[OriginalMan]

Good question.

 

[EnkoGnitto]

How long will it last if you keep it bubbling??
I am making a gallon of tea at a time but using alot less at the minute..Can I keep it alive for weeks as long as it is aerated?

I have kept teas bubbling for over a week.....they seem to start to smell after five or so days even if they are bubbled continuously. Maybe someone else will have a more scientific answer.

I cut my tea when watering with 75% R.O. water. is this correct?

Depends on what concentration you brew it at....


EnkoGnitto

 

[Relik]

I don't know if this will be helpful to you guys, but have you checked Pyrex's Bio-cultivator? He was perpetually brewing a tea concentrate and then diluting it with water before using it. The perpetual part is what is important, he managed to keep the beneficials alive for weeks thanks to his bacteria digesting almost everything he threw in there... here's the link, the man has left the site but the knowledge remains...
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=53095

Peace

 

[3BM]

Pyrex used a bio-filter to ensure active BB colonies in his recirculating system. High DO levels from a water fall effect and a place for BB to thrive. This is a great way to prolong your cocktails. Alternatively, just brew smaller batches of tea. Estimate correctly and you will use all the tea you brew, no worries about it getting old. Just my

 

[minds_I]

Hello all,

I never kept a tea over a week without using it.

With that said, I have given my girls some pretty funky smeelin...undoubtably anerobic... old teas and they love it.

What can I say I am a lazy grower...I only change things when necessary. What I usually do is after I use a batch, I just pour about 1/4 full of new water and let it bubble until I need tea again at which time I will "recharge" the bio-vessle (plastic milk jug..very convinient).

So, thats been my experience.

minds_I

 

[pastor420]

Now that I've read Minds_I's post I don't feel so bad. LOL

As for the dilution I add water until it looks like iced tea. And that's just plain old well water, nothing fancy.