Liquid feeds give fast-growing tropical crops a quick nutrient boost between compost applications, and this climate has more sources for them than most, including one that would otherwise go straight to waste.
Basic Compost Tea
Steep finished compost in water, ideally aerated or stirred periodically, for a day or two, then dilute it before applying. It's a simple way to stretch a small amount of finished compost into a much larger volume of usable feed.
Captured Runoff -- A Free Liquid Feed
This climate has a genuinely useful extra option most others don't: the nutrient-laden runoff captured from a well-designed covered or raised compost system (see Chapter 11) can be collected and used directly as a ready-made liquid feed rather than left to run off and go to waste. It's essentially already a dilute compost tea, produced as a byproduct of protecting the heap from rain in the first place.
Other Fast Liquid Feed Sources
Fast-growing green manure and chop-and-drop material, Tithonia and mucuna among them (see Chapter 12), can be steeped in water in the same way as compost, given how fast and abundant this biomass is here. Diluted urine is the simplest liquid feed of all, and remains a reliable option wherever it's available.
Apply any liquid feed in the morning or evening, watered into the root zone rather than over foliage, to reduce evaporation loss and lower the risk of leaf scorch in strong tropical sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a basic compost tea?
Steep finished compost in water for a day or two, stirring periodically to keep it aerated, then dilute before applying to plants. It's a simple way to turn a small amount of finished compost into a larger volume of usable liquid feed.
Is the runoff from a covered compost system actually worth collecting?
Yes, genuinely. Nutrient-laden runoff captured from a well-designed covered or raised compost system is essentially already a dilute compost tea, produced as a byproduct of protecting the heap from rain, and using it directly as a liquid feed puts nutrients to work that would otherwise go to waste.
When's the best time of day to apply a liquid feed?
Morning or evening, watered into the root zone rather than over the leaves. This reduces evaporation loss and lowers the risk of leaf scorch that can happen when a liquid feed sits on foliage under strong tropical sun.