The Mend Spear Kit™


The Spear is placed inside the woven compost tea bag to force water and air through the Fungi High compost inoculum. This pressure is necessary to dislodge the fungi. This is one of the secrets to achieve good fungi levels in a compost tea.

An air/water spear designed to dislodge stubborn fungi from a compost inoculum during the microbe brewing process. The kit also includes a woven compost tea bag into which the spear is inserted.

The kit consists of a woven synthetic bag with drawstring and an air/water spear. The bag is a compost tea bag used to introduce the MEND Fungi High compost inoculum to the brewing tank and to prevent the compost substrate from clogging the pump. The spear is attached to the bypass hose to deliver pressurised air and water into the bag to extract the fungi, propagules and hyphae from the Fungi High compost inoculum. Note: The bag size has been restricted to a 20-litre capacity due to Workplace Health and Safety issues, ie. after completion of brewing, a 10 to 15-kg bag can weigh 30 to 40kg.

Features:

  • Before use:
    a) Ensure the spear is fitted to the bypass hose on the MEND Brewstar™.
    b) Ensure that the bag contains the required amount of fungi high and has the spear pushed through to the bottom of the bag and is centred in the inoculum (The rope can be half hitched around the reducing nipple on the top of spear to prevent the bag and spear from becoming separated).
  • The Spear Kit assembly is then suspended in the middle of the brewing tank, near the surface , with the drawstring pulled tight and tied off to a suitable hitching point. Note: It is suggested that the bag be kept near the surface to prevent it from clogging the intake port of the brewing tank
  • Note: To achieve a tighter seal with the drawstring on the spear it may be easier if the drawstring at one end is knotted to form a loop and the other end of the drawstring is threaded through it.
  • Upon immersion, the Fungi High is dry and the bag may prove difficult to immerse, at this point the bypass tap can be opened slightly to allow aerated water to wash through and wet the substrate.
  • It is recommended that the bag be monitored until it has thoroughly been wetted.
  • Once the bag has settled into position, the tap can be opened to one third and water allowed to circulate through the inoculum for the 24-hour brewing period.

Packaging:

  • The kit is supplied in a labeled cardboard box.
  • Dimensions: 100cm x 12cm x 12cm.
  • Weight: 800 grams.

Mode of Action:

  • The pump is powered by 240-volt AC and is supplied with a 15-amp plug. The pump is a centrifugal pump and, for best results, should be positioned as low as possible when priming the system, ie. level with the brewing tank outlet.

Information:

  • The Bag is designed to contain the inoculum but general wear and tear may result in stitching or material failure. Ensure that the bag is thoroughly checked prior to use and, if necessary, a replacement sourced.
  • After use the bag should be thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry prior to reuse.

© Steve Cselka 2002 - 2011