What You Didn't Know
Vegetation evolved in the oceans- like their marine ancestors, land plants can take in nourishment through the stomata on their leaf surfaces; similar to the way seaweed takes in food directly from seawater. Stomata intake CO2 and excretes water and oxygen, they also transport nutrients to the plant up to ten times faster than than that of root systems. In addition,when plants first evolved on land they formed an alliance with the existing microbial life in the air and soil. Certain species of fungi and bacteria became the chefs that prepared the plant's food and the medics that helped the plant fight off disease. Plants prefer to dine on biologically pre-digested nutrients because it is more easily assimilated. Healthy plants possess a strong immune system that includes a "bio-film" of microbial life on roots, stems and leaves.
So how does one make the best use out of all these biological principles?
By taking compost tea and using it as a foliar spray. When the tea is sprayed on the foliage the plant becomes enveloped in living organisms-thus enhancing the web of microbial life which the plant is a part of.
What Is Compost Tea?
Compost tea is a nutrient rich solution containing vast colonies of beneficial fungi and bacteria. These microbes digest nutrients into organic compounds that can be easily absorbed by the plant. The same microbes also colonize the surface of the leaves, creating a barrier for disease. Compost tea, unlike chemical foliar fertilization and mineral sprays, can not be over applied and does not burn leaves. Excess water running off leaves in microbe-rich droplets fortifies the soil and improves growing conditions. They also clean up toxic chemicals and turn them into nutrients. The results of this organic fertilizing method can be astounding: mineral rich vegetation, clear and glossy leaves, decreased vulnerability to disease, and even lessened insect attacks. The main drawback is that brewed compost tea is not always readily available-as it is a "live soup" and has a limited shelf life.
After about 3 months the potted soil in which the Aloe are growing will begin to deplete in nutrients. With further research I plan on partially recreating an experiment conducted on Aloe Vera plants using pigeon manure. Pigeon manure proved to show best overall results in Aloe Vera growth and development. I plan to test these results myself and will post my findings as the experiment advances. Further information on how to make compost tea, application amount, and storage will be included as part of the recorded experiment. There is currently no set date for the experiment to begin.
~Gabby
The Green Project 2013
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