adding N to tea?

[nc-jrock]

Can any one tell me what a good natural source of N is to add to compost tea? Some thing to give a little help with a faster green up. Or any other nutrients for that matter. If this is this just not the way to go help me out, still learning and always will be. (should I just be more patient and let the tea do its natural nutrient cycling once applied?)
Thanks

[dishboy]

Can any one tell me what a good natural source of N is to add to compost tea? Some thing to give a little help with a faster green up. Or any other nutrients for that matter. If this is this just not the way to go help me out, still learning and always will be. (should I just be more patient and let the tea do its natural nutrient cycling once applied?)
Thanks

With all the N sources that readily go through a broadcast spreader and are low cost , why would you want to add N to a tea?

[NattyLawn]

Well, what's organic N to a bunch of microbes? Food. Give the microbes too much food and the tea will go anaerobic real quick, as the oxygen will be used up fast. That sort of defeats the purpose.

What you might want to consider, and if you're customers will pay for it, is applying the food source and then spraying the tea over top of that....

[Smallaxe]

It would be good to know, just how the CT works... is it counter-productive to add something other than healthy microbes - or not?

[NattyLawn]

It would be good to know, just how the CT works... is it counter-productive to add something other than healthy microbes - or not?

Like what?

[Landscape Poet]

Can any one tell me what a good natural source of N is to add to compost tea? Some thing to give a little help with a faster green up. Or any other nutrients for that matter. If this is this just not the way to go help me out, still learning and always will be. (should I just be more patient and let the tea do its natural nutrient cycling once applied?)
Thanks

I came across this while doing research as I am just switching my personal property over to Organic.

Follow this LINK (http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/organic/2002082739009975.html) and read number 8.

Now I am not to sure about this but it states it can give your tea up to a 45% N boost. Not sure it appeals to me either but maybe others can chime in on this. I have read this now in more than one location so it must not be as uncommon as you think. One site recommended diluting it down by 75% first. Not my cup of "Tea" LOL but if you really want the N this maybe a alternative for you.

[Smallaxe]

Like what?

I don't know. That is why I said it would be good to know how CT works.

I envision CT going in and converting the lawn debri into plant usable nutrients, then dying off or sporoforming, then their dead bodies are now plant food.
The timing for N would be after that process was over.

Or the wee beasties go down and tie up the N for a period of time, until it reaches critical mass b4 releasing the N. In that case you may want some N in you tea.

Personally I would have the ferts in place and use the CT as a soil builder and thatch remover. NPK becomes available through the microbes sooner or later, but the soil is fertile all the time.

[Tim Wilson]

Well, what's organic N to a bunch of microbes? Food. Give the microbes too much food and the tea will go anaerobic real quick, as the oxygen will be used up fast. That sort of defeats the purpose.

What you might want to consider, and if you're customers will pay for it, is applying the food source and then spraying the tea over top of that....

What Matt said. The microbes need at least a little food to turn into bioavailable N. Protozoa eating bacteria which ate organic matter = N

[ICT Bill]

There are some instances where this is needed in a program especially the first year
We often suggest 1/4 pound per 1000 sq ft for LCO's in central and south florida, they have a 12 month growing season and some of the SA and bermuda can be N hogs, 4 to 6 pounds per 1000 per year, those are tough numbers to reach with a tea program

Add it to the tank before you leave the shop, turn the aggitation on and by the time you get to the first customer your set

We have been trialing a soluble soy product this year for just these types of things, great so far

Often for LCO's that are starting a program for the first time it makes them feel better, almost a pacifier if you will