Good stuff there from Linda. The only two articles I read just now had to do with "teas". Back in the 70's I was a ag-extension Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya, and we used to "spread the gospel" of compost/manure and pesticide teas. We NEVER advocated folial application, though, as that's a very good way to introduce disease and parasites to the people who eat the foliage. Instead, we taught rural farmers to apply the tea to the base of the plant.

Her real criticism of teas is not that they don't work, but rather that they are inconsistently made, and that there is paucity of rigorous study of their effects. Those cautions should not discourage anyone from using teas in their personal grows. As always, educate yourself and don't burn out your plants. Teas should always be part of you master growing plan...not something you pour on while you are stoned and feeling the love for your plants.

Thanks for the links!

PS - I should clarify that we never advocated applying folial sprays to the leaves of plants whose leaves would be consumed by people. Can they be applied to the leaves of, for instance, young corn plants? Sure, but not to your lettuce leaves.