A study of horticultural and composting books and other publications shows
conflicting advice on this subject. Not much is backed by scientific study.
What is certain is that any organic matter will eventually decompose and
therefore must be a candidate for composting.
Using the Rocket® composter anything once alive, can be safely composted with
very few exceptions. Meat or fish scraps which normally encourage rodents and
flies can be included as it is a closed system which denies access to these pests.
Avoid plants with serious diseases like honey fungus or sweet pea root rot,
potato blight for etc. as small amounts may linger and affect future crops.
Also omit grass and other plants that have been treated with hormonal weed
killers etc. as even in small residual concentrations can cause damage.
The Microbiology of Composting.
The biological degradation process of composting can be broadly described in terms
of four stages of micro-organism activity, characterized by different temperature
ranges.
At the beginning (Mesophilic stage) bugs operating at ambient temperature are
required. These include fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes. At the same time
acarines, millipedes and isopods will ingest the organic wastes. The soft tissue
of the decaying plants supports growth of nematodes and enchytraieds.
These consumers then attract and become food for the next level of consumers –
collembolans eat fungi, ptiliids feed on fungal spores. Nematodes ingest bacteria
and protozoa and rotifers feed on bacteria. The energy liberated during this
conversion causes a rise in temperature to between 45 and 70°c. At these higher
temperatures (Thermophilic stage) a specialised flora of bacteria, fungi and
actinomycetes take over.
It is then that organic degradation is rapid and pathogens, fly larvae and weed
seeds are destroyed. As thermophilic activity declines and temperature falls to
30-40° (Cooling stage) there is another series of organisms capable of growth at
normal temperature. Finally, as the compost is left in a heap, preferably protected
from too much rain (Maturation Stage) the nitrification stage proceeds and ammonia
turns into nitrites and the nitrates. It is this final material that aids plant
growth.
Unfortunately, in any batch process all the micro organisms – spores and all -
are largely discarded and have to build up again in the next batch.
It was with all these considerations in mind and to find a way to overcome the
various shortcomings of the present systems that the ’Rocket’ was devised.
Largely because it meets the 7 requirements of successful composting and importantly
the other main reason is because normally in all batch processes the micro-organisms
are all ejected as the compost container is emptied. However, because the Rocket®
composter is a truly continuous process and the waste mass passes gently through the
Rocket® composter, organisms are left behind to continue their work.
» Speed of decomposition
» Quality of finished compost
» Freedom from weed seeds, slug eggs and pathogens
» Cost effective
» Little manual effort required
» Conforms with current DEFRA rules for food processing
» Virtually odor free
» Access to rodents and flies is denied.
