Compost Tea foliar spraying and soil application equipment

[Scay Beez]

Mag drive pumps are supposed to damage fungi and can also change the polarity of heavy metals due to the magnetism. Atomizers are said to work well for bacteria but due to small droplet size also isn't the best for fungi. I have found coarse droplet atomizers but they are huge commercial size for fields of produce. I have also seen backpack sprayers mentioned but I haven't seen one that catches my eye.

What equipment makes applying larger amounts of compost tea easy and microbe friendly (foliar and soil applications)?


- sbz

 

[Suby]

I'm along for the ride, I'd like to know 2

 

[quadracer]

I like to introduce fungi to the soil through other means, either through a compost mulch or the introduction of local fungi fruits.

I would tarp my beds through the rainy season, and check up on the soil when it was sunnier. To my surprise, there was a flush of fungi growing out of the soil.

Another good way is to leave out a bale of hay on the ground for a couple of months. The bale will start to decay, and the fungi will start to move in. You can then take the hay and mix it in your bed/soil or use it as a mulch.

I know this doesn't really answer your question about application equipment, but it seems I've had better luck with fungi growing on its own than with compost tea.

 

[CT Guy]

The advantage of compost tea is that you can grow a high concentration of active fungi in a relatively short period of time. You also can control the conditions, as when you use mulch and other soil amendments, you are reliant on environmental conditions to a certain extent. Don't get me wrong though, these are excellent, well proven ways of raising fungal numbers in soil.

I would also suggest adding humates to the soil, as they are a high carbon source for the fungi.

In regards to sprayers, I've used the echo and solo pump backpack sprayers. They have both worked well, but you may need to change out the nozzle tip (no 90 degree angles).

~Tad

 

[Scay Beez]

CtGuy: What is your opinion/experience using atomizers? I always hear mixed reviews. Also what kind of pump do the backpack sprayers use? Many thanks as always!


- sbz

 

[Scay Beez]

I found this doing some google searches at jollyfarmer.com:


Most spraying equipment can be set up quite simply to apply compost tea.
Following is a list of what we recommend:

Diaphragm pump works best, but other pumps are acceptable.

Main filter size = 16-20 mesh.

No filters at the boom nozzles.

Nozzles = 0.5 gpm or larger, 0.8 recommended (at 40 psi).

Low operating pressure (<60 psi)




- sbz