6/11/2021 The Science Behind Holganix Series: The Magic Behind Compost Tea

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The Science Behind Holganix Series: The Magic

Behind Compost Tea
By Nicole Wise on Feb 8, 2012 2:56:00 PM

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One of the hottest new topics in the agronomy word is the concept of compost tea.

According to Compost Tea Industry Association, “compost is generally defined as a liquid extract
of compost.” While, Merriem and Webster simply state that it is, “a mixture that consists largely of
decayed organic matter.” Regardless, it’s filled with a heap of ingredients (click here for information
of compost ingredients) with the purpose of improving plant growth and biological activity in the
soil. 

How is compost tea created? 

Compost tea is created “by steeping compost in water” (Elaine Ingham) and is brewed either
aerobically or anaerobically. 

Aerobic brewing means that oxygen was utilized, sometimes through the use of bubblers or air
stones. However, anaerobically brewed compost tea is created without the use of oxygen and
usually takes a much longer time to produce. The benefit of anaerobically produced tea is that it
retains more of the original quantity. This occurs mainly because the bacterium used, doesn’t need
as much energy to create the mixture. 
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What are the pros to using compost tea?

1. They contain very small amounts and sometimes even no nitrates and phosphates.

2. Under the right circumstance they can be inexpensive.

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3. Compost tea cleans contaminated soil.

4. Utilizing tea-based generics allows you to gain a competitive edge and advertise yourself as
being organic.

5. Compost tea contains living, beneficial soil microorganisms and food sources that allow you
to balance the soil food web and proactively address plant health issues. 

What are the cons to using compost tea?

1. The results are inconsistent.

2. It is mainly reliant upon gardener testimonials and there is not a lot of scientific study
preformed.

3. Producing the product is time consuming and complicated.

4. Every time you make a batch you end up with a different product. In other words, each run is
different.

Overcoming the downsides of compost tea

While a radical idea like composting has usually been isolated to hobbyists and gardeners, lately
compost tea is starting to take off in commercial use.

One of the new leaders in making compost tea a mainstream idea has been Holganix.

With a focus on biology as the solution to plant health, Holganix is continually pioneering new
methods of incorporating compost tea-type products to build resilient plants and healthier soils.

Our flagship product line, Bio 800+ is a 100% organic plant probiotic that provides a complete
ecosystem in a bottle, containing over 800 species of beneficial microorganisms. 

Manufacturing the product line, begins with a patented plant-based compost tea derived from one
f l li A i Addi i li di h l
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6/11/2021 The Science Behind Holganix Series: The Magic Behind Compost Tea
of eleven climate zones across America. Additional ingredients are then layered in to create a
product that is teeming with beneficial soil microorganisms, nutrient enhancers and microbe
food. To see our ingredient list, click here. 

To ensure that each batch is consistent, Holganix uses a panted manufacturing process and
conducts DNA fingerprinting so each batch is living (literally) up to Holganix's quality standards.

Holganix also has numerous university studies and case studies validating Holganix's claims as a
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consistent product that produce quality, consistent results.  

Works Cited

http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/Tea/tea1.htm

http://www.soilfoodweb.com/

http://www.keenforgreen.com/b/10-fun-composting-facts

http://compostguide.com/compost-tea/

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compost

http://www.composterconnection.com/site/anaerobic-digester.html

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7479875_aerobic-anaerobic-composting.html

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/brewing-compost-tea.aspx

http://www.composttea.org/what_is_compost_tea.html

Posted by
Nicole Wise on Feb 8, 2012 2:56:00 PM

Nicole Wise

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6/11/2021 The Science Behind Holganix Series: The Magic Behind Compost Tea

Topics:
lawn care,
holganix,
agronomy,
green industry,
marketing hints and tips,
organic fertilizer,
compost tea,
fertilizer,
organic,
environment

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TheGardener
7/16/2012, 3:25:10 PM

Compost tea is probably a useful thing. But the matter is that it takes a lot of time to be prepared
and nobody knows what kind of bacteria and funguses he grows. Together with useful bacteria
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there can live harmful fungi and other plant diseases in your compost. Instead of it you can take
already done and guaranteed microorganisms which will work in the soil and on plants as
fungicides and insecticides. Any harm, any lost time, any equipment. The whole you need is the
biological preparation and water. To be sure visit the page duby duby duby dot altcompostea dot
x90x dot net. Believe me you’ve never seen something better.

Reply to theGardener
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Holganix
7/17/2012, 8:32:06 PM

The Holganix compost is specifically engineered and tested to ensure the same groups of fungi and
bacteria are present as well as tested to make sure there are no pathogens present. The Holganix
scientists know what microorganisms are present with every batch. No one organism can complete
a natural food web. A 4:1 ratio is present in all healthy soils. 4 good to 1 bad. If you achieve this
ratio the soil and plant will perform at optimum levels. Using Holganix, the opportunity to achieve
this ratio is greater than any other product made today.

Reply to Holganix

Jim Bohaon
10/21/2014, 7:11:00 PM

Does the efficacy of Holganix vary with the seasons? In other words, is it more effective in warm
weather than in cold? Is there a detriment to applying it to warm season grass in the Fall? How long
does it remain effective in the soil? Can you suggest a calendar or schedule for warm & cool season
lawns & for vegetable gardens?

Reply to jim bohaon

Larry Harrison
12/24/2014, 7:30:42 PM

Does the efficacy of Holganix vary with the seasons?

Reply to Larry Harrison

Jodie Cook
7/1/2015, 9:53:10 PM

I recently attended a soil food web intensive taught by Dr. Ingham, then noticed your compost tea
product in a fridge at our local irrigation supply store. My question: Your compost tea is not made

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locally in southern California with ingredients from here. Doesn't it have different species of
organisms in different ratios than would be naturally occurring in healthy socal soil? Shouldn't
ingredients be sourced locally?

Reply to Jodie Cook

Kaitlyn Ersek
7/6/2015, 7:00:37 PM

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Dr. Ingham is an extremely intelligent woman and I love her soil biology primer! Our compost
teas are designed by agronomic zone... in other words you have a compost tea specific to your
southern area. The jug will have the zone label on it. As far as different species go, a good ratio
to have in the soil is 5:1 (5 good to 1 bad). It's a super simple way to explain this concept.
Ultimately, we are trying to boost your soil so that the balance stays in sync. Often, the soils
aren't balanced and aren't what you would find in healthy soils. For a more in depth
explanations on your questions, I would encourage you to reach out to Dr. Robert Neidermyer
(our Director of Plant and Soil Sciences). You can reach him at rneidermyer@holganix.com.
Thank you for the interest Jodie!

Reply to Kaitlyn Ersek

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