Decomposing Tea Bags / Good Tea Bags - Organics

RobertB

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I first switched to organics in late spring. The first bags I made were out of coffee bags (sort of a pouch I folder over and stapled). Once applied I noticed small holes being torn into them within about 3 weeks or so and basically the hole bag had decomposed by two months with the organic still laying on the soil surface.

About a month after the first application with the coffee bags, I ordered some tea bags off of amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ILSCHQM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 These were a bit small but ok. Supposedly these are made from natural wood pulp paper. These ended up performing like the coffee bags or even worse. They completely decentigrated within 1-2 months leaving the contents piled up on the soil surface.

For the third application, I ordered some more tea bags off amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753KX4QX/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The biggest reason for ordering new bags is I needed larger bags. These were 3.5 x 2.75" which was much better and easier / faster to fill. These appear to made from some type of woven fabric. I believed they were applied a month or so ago and appear to be in almost new condition apart from the staining from the contents within.

Was interested in other people preference. So far the latest seam pretty good. I am getting ready to apply another application this coming weekend.

Also, in general, how long should each application of organic ferts be left on the plant? I am currently using Plant-tone

https://www.amazon.com/Espoma-PT18-...TF8&qid=1532352777&sr=1-4&keywords=plant+tone

But will be adding in a few bags of Espoma's Azalea-tone (https://www.lifeandhome.com/product...term=4580909040278930&utm_content=Ad group #1) to my more acid loving plants, azaleas, JBP, junipers, etc. Looks like they don't make Azalea-tone any more. I found it at my local wallmart.
 
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No real comment for you about tea bags breaking down. Mine basically do the same before too long, even breaking down they seem to contain most of the fert inside them. I got cheapo bags from amazon too.

Organics, from what I can tell will take up to 6 weeks to break down to a level that the plant can pick the nutrients up. I think you could technically leave organic fertilizer on there forever....but eventually it would contribute to a loss of percolation in your pot, when it becomes more like dirt. l have been removing if the fert is broken down after about 60 days.
 

RobertB

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Well, the most recent set of bags are not breaking down. They seam to be doing really good. Anyone else?
 

Tiki

Mame
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This is what ive been using
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QQF4XT2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Dont ask whats up with that pricing system..I get the 3 pack that doesnt cost $53???
They are the flip over type, no draw string so I place them flap side up on the surface and run a stick through them to keep them in place on the soil surface. Also been using the cut down PVC pipe insted of the little fertilizer baskets. Both work fine except when the pot surface is too small to contain the PVC cups I use the tea bags. Since these are basically made of plastic they shouldnt decay at all except from UV light Id assume.

Also using espoma Plant tone and Hollie tone. Cant seem to find Hollie tone at ANY of my wallmarts anymore. No tags on the shelf or anything, dunno whats up with that. All the other garden center stores and home improvement stores still carry it though.
 

theone420

Shohin
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Try these:

3x4 White Organza Wedding Party Favor Bags- Package of 100 by JASSINS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YUKAW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_O-LvBbW5R4XNS

I second those. I have been using them a couple months here and it has been over 120 degree on a few days so far and not below 100 degree since I've been using them and they are still holding up good.

I actually use these smaller ones but they are the same.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010BDTOAM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
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I second those. I have been using them a couple months here and it has been over 120 degree on a few days so far and not below 100 degree since I've been using them and they are still holding up good.

I actually use these smaller ones but they are the same.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010BDTOAM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@Adair M Do you guys reuse these tea bags? I bought the cloth type tea bags because of the organi-gunk that builds up on the soil surface. I like the concept of the plastic tea bags better...
 

Cypress187

Masterpiece
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If only those company's knew we used cat-litter clay, wedding bags, colanders and pond-baskets for bonsai, they could make a fortune.
 

Anthony

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@Cypress187 ,

most folk don't know Lecca has 5, 4, 3 and smaller mm grade
fired clay spheroids.
Used for garden stuff.

Our tests down here have shown that sphere type fired clay and aged compost
is to die for.
Good Day
Anthony
 

PeaceLoveBonsai

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I first switched to organics in late spring. The first bags I made were out of coffee bags (sort of a pouch I folder over and stapled). Once applied I noticed small holes being torn into them within about 3 weeks or so and basically the hole bag had decomposed by two months with the organic still laying on the soil surface.

About a month after the first application with the coffee bags, I ordered some tea bags off of amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ILSCHQM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 These were a bit small but ok. Supposedly these are made from natural wood pulp paper. These ended up performing like the coffee bags or even worse. They completely decentigrated within 1-2 months leaving the contents piled up on the soil surface.

For the third application, I ordered some more tea bags off amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753KX4QX/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The biggest reason for ordering new bags is I needed larger bags. These were 3.5 x 2.75" which was much better and easier / faster to fill. These appear to made from some type of woven fabric. I believed they were applied a month or so ago and appear to be in almost new condition apart from the staining from the contents within.

Was interested in other people preference. So far the latest seam pretty good. I am getting ready to apply another application this coming weekend.

Also, in general, how long should each application of organic ferts be left on the plant? I am currently using Plant-tone

https://www.amazon.com/Espoma-PT18-...TF8&qid=1532352777&sr=1-4&keywords=plant+tone

But will be adding in a few bags of Espoma's Azalea-tone (https://www.lifeandhome.com/product...term=4580909040278930&utm_content=Ad group #1) to my more acid loving plants, azaleas, JBP, junipers, etc. Looks like they don't make Azalea-tone any more. I found it at my local wallmart.


I’m confused. You want to use organic, but you don’t want it to breakdown? Don’t you want the contents of your fertilizer to go into your roots? I thought the whole idea of a tea bag is so that it WILL breakdown. What am I missing?
 

Anthony

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@Gdy2000 ,

you are either concerned about the Health of your
tree or not.

Note our soil mix - 5 mm silica based gravel
By itself it is - hydroponics.
With the aged compost you return to millions of years of
evolution for trees/roots/ earth organisms.

With teabags what goes in is N.P.K. plus the micronutrients
of the fermented oil seed meal.
Some also use fish emulsion to boost the organic compounds
and added nutrients.

However you use teabags and you get a deficiency of organic
particles in your organic mix.
But if want a trophy ------ who cares if the plant slowly dies.
Might take years, as bugs die, roots die, leaves die, dust falls.............
onto the surface of the soil in the pot.

Check the sheds of those who compete.
Good Day
Anthony
 
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I don’t reuse them.

Didn't think that people reused them. I have those orchid fertilizer baskets on some of my trees which seem ok, but they don't "hang on" to the sludge created by organic fertilizer, it just eventually oozes out of the side.

My mame and smaller shohin trees seem buried under the tea bags so I'll have to think of something to do with those.
 

RobertB

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I’m confused. You want to use organic, but you don’t want it to breakdown? Don’t you want the contents of your fertilizer to go into your roots? I thought the whole idea of a tea bag is so that it WILL breakdown. What am I missing?

Yes the organic ferts are breaking down along with the Tea Bags though. The new ones I am using are working good. Ive still got some on plants from the original application with these new bags back in July. most of the new bags are still good.
 
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