12-30-2008, 03:40 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Re: Fert's
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard
You are getting good results because the plants are receiving nitrogen, a moderate amount of phosphorus, and potash -- plus, the worm tea contains micronutrients.
Now about worm castings and worm tea: the best of worlds would be if the worms were fed composted fruits, vegetables, and horse or sheep manure. If you are putting steer or cow manure into the worms' food chain, then you are getting higher concentrations of unwanted minerals which in the long run can degrade your plants. If any of the fruit or vegetable material is store-bought non-certified-organic material, then you might also have plant hormones in your worm castings that could cause your plants to have shorter stems, larger leafs, and less fruit development. This is especially true of commercially produced ornamental flowers, including poinsettias. Also, you are better off giving your plants worm castings than worm tea, because the tea is missing some ingredients that will break down and attract beneficial bacteria.
As for your general purpose triple-six fertilizer, I think you can do better, and probably for less money. Here is what I have written for the horticultural society: PTP_2008_12_Fertilize_II
For a few more details on micronutrients, see: Micronutrients
And since you are focusing on things labeled "organic", you should understand that the word alone is completely unregulated. Read this to find out what the label might mean on various products: PTP_2008_09_Organic
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On a side note: While the castings "attract" bacteria, The act of making tea actually proliferates the bacteria (and fungi) to tremendous populations. These ,in turn, will feed on the material (such as castings) in your soil, and each other, breaking all the components down into usable plant food.
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