alfalfa tea recipe

This article originally appeared in AMERICAN ROSE and was reprinted in Region
5 summer '95 and Region 20 fall '95 newsletters.Keep in mind this was written
for roses so the application may be different.

       Alfalfa Tea and Similar Delights
Cow Tea, Alfalfa Tea and Fish Emulsion solutions still work the best with
roses of all types, including miniatures. These mixtures feed the soil,
supporting the organisms that convert nutrients into forms available to
plants. A long chain but a simple one. Food value is built in as well, but
the primary boost comes from activating the soil organisms. If you haven't
brewed up some of this tea, your roses haven't enjoyed a natural treat.
Equiptment: 32 gallon, leakproof plastic garbage can with a TIGHT lid
                  Alfalfa meal or pellets (about 12 cups/ barrel)
                         (or 10 lbs. of cow chips or horse apples)
                 Long stirring stick - such as a broom handle 
                 Available water
Fermenting Method : Add the active ingredients to the garbage can, fill
nearly to the top    with water and stir. COVER TIGHTLY. Let steep for 2-3
days, stir again. Recover. Stir    and steep off and on for no more than a
week. The result will be a green solution with     a foamy consistancy. Its
ready to apply. It also smells.
Application : Use an old bucket to bail out a gallon or so per large bush.
Miniatutes can    use about half as much. Can safely be used every six weeks
during the active growing    season.Works great on all sorts of plants in
containers. Leaves green up, new growth    appears, bloom takes on a richer
hue. When the garbage can is nearly empty there       will be a rich sediment
left. Fill can with water, steep a day or so and apply again.       One
loading of organic ingredients will make two batches.
What Happens : Alfalfa contains a growth hormone called Triacontanol and an
organic     base on which organisms can feed. Alfalfa meal or pellets
broadcast and scratched         into the soil do the same thing, but tea
works much faster.
 Fortified Tea : To the finished Tea, add 8 Tb. of Sequestrene and 1 cup of
20-20-20      soluable fertilizer (or a 20-20-20 mix with trace elements).
Stir well. Apply one gallon     per established plant, but only about a quart
for miniatures. Its the best treatment     your roses ever had.

from Suzy Ewell Region 20 newsletter editor
Colorado Springs, CO
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