Compost tea

Method 1

1. Put a gallon (4 liters) of well-matured compost into a 5 gallon (20 liters) container.
2. Add water until the container is full.
3. Stir well.
4. Place in warm place for 3 days to ferment.
5. Strain.

Pest controlled

Method 2

1. Mix well-matured compost with water at a ratio of 1:6
2. Leave the mixture to ferment for 1 week
3. Filter the solution using a cotton flour sack
4. Add water to the solution until it has a tea-like color or you can also use it undiluted
5. Spray on plants every 14 days

Pest controlled

1. Powdery mildew
2. Botrytis gray mold

Method 3

1. Mix compost with water at a ratio of 1:5 or 1:8 (1 part of compost by volume to 5-8 parts of water by volume).
2. Leave the solution to ferment for 3-7 days.
3. Filter using a cotton flour sack.
4. Place the compost tea in watering can or sprinkler.
5. Spray early morning or late afternoon.

Pest controlled

1. Late blight is controlled by horse compost tea
2. Botrytis, downy and powdery mildew are controlled by cattle/straw compost extract
3. Fusarium wilt on tomato is controlled by bark compost tea.

How to apply?

1. Remove first the diseased plant parts and dispose them properly.
2. Place the compost tea in watering can or sprinkler.
3. Spray early morning or late afternoon.
4. Repeat application after 3-4 days.

Standard procedures for the preparation and application of homemade extracts

1. Use utensils for the extract preparation that are not use for your food preparation and for drinking and cooking water containers. Clean properly all the utensils every time after using them.
2. Do not have a direct contact with the crude extract while in the process of the preparation and during the application.
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3. Make sure that you place the extract out of reach of children and house pets while leaving it overnight.
4. Harvest all the mature and ripe fruits before extract application.
5. Always test the extract formulation on a few infected plants first before going into large scale spraying. When adding soap as an emulsifier, use a potash-based one.
6. Wear protective clothing while applying the extract.
7. Wash your hands after handling the extract.

External links

• Fourthway. How to make plant tea. http://www.fourthway.co.uk/posters/pages/planttea.html

References

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden. (2000): Natural disease control: A common-sense approach to plant first aid. Handbook # 164. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Inc. 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.
• Ellis, B.; Bradley, F. (1996): The organic gardener's handbook of natural insect and disease control. Rodale Press. Emmaus, Pennsylvania.