Indoor Compost Tea Utilization: A Simplified Guide
Compost tea is an organic alternative to harsh chemical fertilisers for indoor plants. This brew, made from compost, water, and aeration, offers numerous benefits for both plants and soil.
Brewing Compost Tea
To make compost tea, you'll need chlorine-free water, sifted finished compost (approximately one cup per gallon), and a clean bucket. Aeration is crucial, either using an airstone or by stirring briskly. After 12-24 hours of brewing, the mixture should be strained through fine mesh or pantyhose before dilution.
Dilution Guidelines
Dilution guidelines vary depending on the plant's needs. Most indoor plants require a 1:10 dilution, while robust, heavy feeders can benefit from a 1:4 dilution. For foliar spray, a dilution of 1:4-1:10 is suitable, and very weak tea is ideal for seedlings and very young plants.
Troubleshooting
If the tea smells bad, discard it and start over. If the sprayer clogs, use a finer strainer or dilute more. Spray in the morning to avoid brown leaf tips that can occur when spraying late in the day.
Application Methods
Soil drench is best for compacted, old, or smelling soil, slow, pale, or root-bound plants, and heavy feeders. Foliage spray is used for powdery mildew, aphids, or visible leaf pests, thin, flexible leaves, and in the morning after watering.
Benefits of Compost Tea
The benefits of compost tea are numerous. It adds beneficial bacteria and fungi that speed up nutrient cycling and help suppress pathogens. These beneficial microbes break down organic matter into plant-available nitrogen, phosphorus, and micronutrients.
Compost tea results in faster growth, fewer brown tips, and healthier leaves. Plants absorb the released nutrients faster than from raw compost. Regular use can lead to lower fertiliser needs, stronger plants, and improved plant vigor.
Safety and Maintenance
Safety practices include straining well, testing on one plant or a small section before widespread use, using in a ventilated room or near an open window, not applying on very hot days or at night when leaves stay wet, watching treated plants for 3-7 days, and discarding liquid after 24-48 hours if leftover.
Regularly clean tools with soap and hot water, rinse well, and brew for 12-24 hours to avoid contamination. No change in plant condition may require increasing monitoring, tracking more precisely, or slightly adjusting the dose.
Recommended Manufacturers
Recommended manufacturers for compost-covered tea systems suitable for indoor plants include companies specializing in organic gardening products and bio-based compost systems, such as Worm Power, Black Soldier Fly Systems, and Biochar Solutions.
Frequency of Application
The frequency of compost tea application depends on the plant type. Light feeders can receive it every 3-4 weeks, while heavy feeders or stressed plants may require it every 2 weeks for a month, then reducing. Seedlings should be treated once a month at most, very weakly.
Pest and Disease Resistance
Pest and disease resistance may also improve with the use of compost tea. Visible benefits include improved root growth, leaf color, and overall plant vigor.
A simple log can be used to track changes in plants and determine the most effective dose and frequency for each plant. With consistent use, compost tea can become a valuable tool in maintaining a thriving indoor garden.
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