Compost Tea

Compost Tea

Compost tea is an aerated solution that is derived from steeping compost in water, primarily used to enrich cannabis plants with beneficial microorganisms essential for healthy growth. It is a liquid, nutrient-rich extract, commonly employed as a foliar spray or soil drench, which treats plant deficiencies by improving nutrient uptake and enhancing soil quality.

In cannabis biology, compost tea acts as a natural fertilizer that encourages robust root development, increases plant resistance to diseases, and boosts overall plant vigor.

The Preparation Process

The preparation of compost tea involves brewing well-decomposed organic compost with oxygenating devices over a period, typically 24 to 48 hours, allowing beneficial bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and nematodes to multiply. These microorganisms play a crucial role in breaking down soil nutrients into more accessible forms for the cannabis plants, thus addressing common deficiencies such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium scarcity.

Additionally, by adding ingredients like molasses, kelp, or fish hydrolysate to the compost tea, growers can create tailored nutrient solutions to target specific plant needs.

How Do You Make Compost Tea from Compost?

Compost tea is a simple and effective way to enhance plant growth. To make it, add compost to a container of water and let it steep for a few days. Then, strain out the solids and use the liquid to water your plants. This is what is compost tea.

Benefits for Cannabis Growers

For cannabis growers, integrating compost tea into their plant care regimen can be particularly advantageous, as it bolsters the plant’s immune system, optimizes the rhizosphere (the root zone), and aids in establishing a thriving microbiome that deters pathogenic attacks. When applying compost tea, it is crucial to maintain proper sanitation and use air stones or pumps to ensure adequate oxygen levels, which inhibit the growth of anaerobic bacteria that could harm the plant.

By utilizing compost tea, cannabis cultivators can adopt an organic approach to correcting and preventing nutrient deficiencies, resulting in healthier plants and potentially higher yield crops.