Stabilising Compost Tea?

Hi All,

Does anyone know how to stabilise  Aerated Compost Teas?

I make up large batches of Microbial Aerated Worm Castings/Compost Teas and would like to bottle to be used later.

To be used in six months to a year so the question is anyone knows how this can be done?

Need to put the microbes to sleep – make them dormant then wake them up when the bottle is opened.

Thanks in advance.
Anthony

Hi Mr Saber,

I am thinking that aerobically prepared tea is maybe not for you if you want to keep it 6 months.  The best way to make stabilised compost tea is to use stabilised compost, prepare the tea and get it straight out ASAP, which is not what you want.  This would be compost that is well matured and cured being free of the phytotoxins present in unfinished compost. I can supply you with references if you want to read on phytotoxins further.

Aerobic microorganisms tend to function in very extreme conditions, when the oxygen is switched survival reactions will kick in, so there will be survivors but I cannot recommend it.  If you are keeping it for a while the  IMO tea method (Indigenous Microorganisms Tea) would be more appropriate.

Best Wishes from across the pond.

Hi Eric,

Maybe I should have not stated aerated compost teas so let me try and clarify.

I know of two suppliers of liquid fertilisers that are made from Worm Castings and Chicken Poo.

Both are sold in bottles which have a 6 -12 month self life.

In Korean Natural Farming you can make a a prepared liquid stable by adding equal parts of sugar.

My question - what has to be done to make a so called active microbial liquid fertiliser stable for later use?

Cheers
Anthony

Hi Anthony,

Can you tell me the suppliers' names so that I know what I am dealing with here. Best Wishes.

i don't think you can have an active aerobic bacterial mix that will be "shelf-stable", like you're wanting. aerobic - they need to breath. per KNF, you'd store the IMO in a dry state, or put into hibernation with sugar. make your tea just before application. LAB (lactobacillus prep) can be stored for weeks, or months if in the fridge. LAB is not a fertilizer. there are protocol to make this prep. it is extremely useful as a compost accelerant and odor control for animal bedding. some people drink it as a probiotic. if you make it right, it tastes pretty good, if you like fermented foods. i digress.

Korean Natural Farming has lots of preps that will be kind of like what you want, but a ready-to-go active bacterial tea that is shelf stable is not one of them.

https://naturalfarminghawaii.net/ chock full of info, my friend's website. we joke that his beard must be so full of IMO, he could walk through a field and spread the good guys just by smiling.

Any more suggestions ?

I know it's possible but don't know how it is done.

Anthony