How to make fungal compost tea?

 Boost Your Plant's Growth with This Fungal Compost Tea Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

Image by kinska leefa from Pixabay 

Using compost tea for plants is one of the best ways to promote growth and health in plants. Compost tea is a liquid fertilizer that is made by steeping compost in water. It is a great way to add nutrients and beneficial microbes to the soil around plants. In this article, I will explain how to make fungal compost tea, which is a type of compost tea that is particularly beneficial for plants.

Benefits of using fungal compost tea on plants

Fungal compost tea is a type of compost tea that is made from fungal-dominated compost. Fungal-dominated compost is compost that has a high concentration of beneficial fungi. Using fungal compost tea on plants has many benefits:

• Increased plant growth and yield
• Improved plant health and disease resistance
• Enhanced nutrient uptake
• Soil improvement and increased soil biodiversity
• Improved soil structure and water-holding capacity

Understanding fungal-dominated compost

Before we dive into the recipe for fungal compost tea, it's important to understand what fungal-dominated compost is and why it's beneficial for plants. Fungal-dominated compost is compost that has a high proportion of fungi compared to bacteria. Fungi are important because they break down complex organic matter in the soil, making it available to plants. They also form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, providing them with nutrients and protection from disease.

To create fungal-dominated compost, you need to provide the right conditions for fungi to thrive. This means creating a compost pile that is high in carbon and low in nitrogen, has a good balance of moisture and oxygen, and is turned regularly. Over time, the fungi will outcompete the bacteria in the compost pile, resulting in a compost that is dominated by fungi.

How to make fungal compost tea: Step-by-step guide

Now that you understand the benefits of using fungal compost tea and how to create fungal-dominated compost, let's dive into the recipe for making fungal compost tea. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Collect your compost: Start by collecting your fungal-dominated compost. You can either make your own or purchase it from a garden center or online retailer.
2. Gather your materials: You'll need a few materials to make fungal compost tea, including a large container, an aeration device, and some molasses.
3. Add compost to a container: Add your compost to the container, filling it about 1/3 to 1/2 full.
4. Add water and molasses: Fill the container with water, leaving enough space at the top for the aeration device. Add a tablespoon of molasses for every gallon of water. The molasses provides a food source for the beneficial microbes in the compost tea.
5. Aerate: Add your aeration device to the container and turn it on. Aerating the compost tea provides oxygen to the microbes, helping them to multiply and thrive.
6. Brew: Let the compost tea brew for 24-48 hours, depending on the strength you desire.
7. Strain and apply: Once the compost tea has been brewed, strain out the solids and apply the liquid to your plants. You can use a watering can or sprayer to apply the compost tea to the soil around your plants.

Ingredients needed for making fungal compost tea

To make fungal compost tea, you'll need a few ingredients:

1. Fungal dominated compost
2. Water
3. Molasses
4. Large container
5. Aeration device

Molasses in compost tea: Why it's important and how to use it

Molasses is an important ingredient in compost tea because it provides a food source for the beneficial microbes in the tea. Molasses is a source of simple sugars that the microbes can use to multiply and thrive. When adding molasses to your compost tea, use about a tablespoon for every gallon of water.

Brewing options for fungal compost tea

There are two main brewing options for fungal compost tea: aerated and non-aerated. Aerated compost tea is the most common method and involves using an aeration device to add oxygen to the tea. Non-aerated compost tea is made by simply steeping compost in water without using an aeration device. Aerated compost tea is generally considered to be more effective because it provides oxygen to the microbes, allowing them to multiply and thrive.

Using fungal compost tea on flowering plants: Tips and tricks

Using fungal compost tea on flowering plants can be particularly beneficial. Here are some tips and tricks for using fungal compost tea on flowering plants:

1. Use a weak solution: Flowering plants can be sensitive to fertilizers, so it's important to use a weak solution to compost tea. Start with a 1:10 dilution and adjust as needed.
2. Apply to soil: When using compost tea on flowering plants, it's best to apply it to the soil around the plants rather than directly on the leaves. This will prevent any potential leaf burn or damage.
3. Apply early in the day: It's best to apply compost tea early in the day when the plants are hydrated and the temperature is cooler. This will help prevent any potential stress on the plants.

Best fungal compost tea recipes for flowering plants

Here are some of the best fungal compost tea recipes for flowering plants:

1. Basic fungal compost tea: Follow the step-by-step guide above to create a basic fungal compost tea.
2. Flowering tea: Add some dried chamomile flowers, rose petals, and lavender to your compost tea for an extra boost of nutrients and a pleasant fragrance.
3. Boosted tea: Add some fish hydrolysate, kelp meal, and worm castings to your compost tea to provide your plants with a complete range of nutrients.

Other recipes for compost tea

If you want to experiment with other types of compost tea, here are some recipes to try:

1. Bacterial compost tea: Use compost that is dominated by bacteria to make a bacterial compost tea. This type of tea is particularly beneficial for plants that prefer more acidic soil.
2. Vermicompost tea: Use worm castings to make vermicompost tea. This type of tea is high in beneficial microbes and nutrients.
3. Manure tea: Use composted manure to make manure tea. This type of tea is high in nitrogen and other nutrients.

Where to buy fungal compost tea

If you don't want to make your own fungal compost tea, you can purchase it from a garden center or online retailer. Look for compost tea that is made from fungal-dominated compost and has a good balance of nutrients.

Conclusion

Fungal compost tea is a great way to boost plant growth and health. By using fungal-dominated compost and adding aeration and molasses, you can create a powerful liquid fertilizer that is rich in beneficial microbes and nutrients. Whether you make your own or purchase it from a retailer, compost tea is a great addition to any plant care routine. Give it a try and see the difference it can make in your plants!

Ready to boost your plant's growth with fungal compost tea? Try out one of the recipes above and see the difference it can make!