Our Story – Ten Years of Following Nature
SPeS was never supposed to become a biological engineering project.
It began with a simple question:
How can ordinary people grow more food using fewer resources?
There was no grand business plan, no venture capital, no research laboratory.
Just a backyard on the southern tip of Africa, a collection of recycled containers, and a willingness to keep asking “Why?” whenever something failed.
The Sustainability Testing Station (STS) grew from that curiosity.
Not because we believed we had the answers… Because we kept discovering that nature already did.
The History of Bundu Teq – We Didn’t Invent Bundu Teq
One of the biggest misconceptions about innovation is that it means inventing something entirely new. In reality, most breakthroughs come from seeing familiar things differently.
- Earthworms have been engineering soils for millions of years.
- Fungi have been recycling forests since long before humans existed.
- Microorganisms help build the atmosphere we breathe.
- The Amazon’s Terra Preta soils have remained fertile for thousands of years.
None of this is new.
Our contribution has simply been connecting these biological processes into a practical framework that anyone can build in a backyard.
Bundu Teq is therefore less an invention than a rediscovery.
Phase 1: The Hydroponic Initiative (2014-2019)
It started with the same disappointment many South Africans face—expensive hydroponic systems that demanded imported chemical inputs. We made our own Alpha and Omega Binary Nutrient Concentrate, fulfilling the Hoagland Formula for a full nutrient profile. But we knew there had to be a better way. Though “organic hydroponics” was considered impossible then…
“From Coke bottles to CEA dreams—solving the Hydroponic nutrient puzzle.”
Phase 2: The Mushroom Breakthrough (2019-2022)
While searching for ways to utilize agricultural waste, we stumbled into mushroom cultivation, and a whole variety of Gourmet Mushrooms—not grown on manure! After countless contaminated batches, the BioaKt discovery changed everything. Bundu Tek pasteurization with specific Calcium compounds created selective substrates with no contamination…
“Waste to wonder: Cracking contamination for SA’s unconventional substrates.”
Phase 3: The Vermicomposting Revelation (2023)
This was the missing link that made everything circular. When we started feeding spent mushroom substrate to worms, something magical happened. The worms not only processed it but created the most incredible vermicompost we’d ever seen. More importantly, we discovered this vermicompost could solve our original hydroponics problem.
“Worms as wizards: Turning spent substrate into VermiPonics.”
Phase 4: Closing the Circle – VermiPonics (2024)
The final breakthrough wasn’t about complicated systems—it was about simplicity itself. Vermicompost in the growing media as nutrient source, with bottom-feeding delivering clean water. No more chemical nutrients, no more complicated dosing schedules. Just pure, organic growth powered by the complete nutrient spectrum in VermiPonics.
“Bottom-fed brilliance: Organic hydroponics, earthworm bio-engineer edition.”
Phase 5: Soil Renaissance – VermiCHARged BAM! (2025)
Building on VermiPonics’ simplicity, our latest STS breakthrough fuses vermicompost’s living microbes with biochar’s eternal structure: VermiCHARged BAM!—a “microbial hotel” that turns Vermicast into a Biome supercharge for permanent Terra Preta fertility. Boosts yields up to 88%, enhances water retention by 13%, and cuts emissions by 30%.
“Biochar + BAM!: Centuries of soil Biome life, from one tub.”
Every Failure Changed the Question
Looking back, each stage of the journey solved one problem while revealing a much bigger one.
Hydroponics taught us that plants require dissolved nutrients—but also exposed our dependence on manufactured fertilisers.
Mushroom cultivation taught us how fungi transform waste—but also how fragile conventional cultivation had become.
Vermiculture revealed that earthworms were not simply composting organic matter—they were engineering entire microbial ecosystems.
Biochar reminded us that some of humanity’s greatest agricultural discoveries were made thousands of years ago in Terra Preta.
Each answer simply pointed toward the next question.
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Low-Tek Oyster Log Perforation Wheel
R110 Add to basket📦Rapid Grow Bag Micro-Perforation
📦Hardened Needle-Point Teeth
📦Ergonomic Wood Handle
📦Deter Fungus Gnats (Sciaridae) -
STS
STS 9kg/h Commercial Ultrasonic Humidifier – Smart, Stainless Steel
Original price was: R24,990.R19,995Current price is: R19,995. Add to basket🏗 9kg/h ultrasonic humidification with smart control.
🏗 High-Volume 220 m3/h Air Circulation
🏗 Dual Supply (Bottle/Tap),
🏗 Unmatched Electrical Efficiency – 360W power -
STS
Miso Nameko Mushroom Spawn Kit
Original price was: R1,399.R995Current price is: R995. Made to Order✔ Miso Nameko Mushroom Spawn Kit (Pholiota microspora)
✔ Includes 100 ml Living Inoculant (LI) in a reusable Culture Bottle
✔ Includes 1 kg Sterilized Sorghum Grain Spawn with SHIP & 0.2 µm PTFE filter
✔ Traditional Japanese gourmet mushroom with beautiful glossy amber caps -
STS
Oyster Mushroom DIY Kit | Bundu Tek Practical Grower’s Starter
Original price was: R1,400.R750Current price is: R750. Add to basket🏗 Stop buying mushrooms and learn how to grow them
🏗 Mother Spawn in Biojar with BioaKt Straw Pellets
🏗 STS Grow Bags, no lab equipment needed.
🏗 Simple Instructions and WhatsApp support.
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STS
Eco Bini™ Terra Preta Nova BAM! Soil Catalyst | 5 Litre
Original price was: R340.R239Current price is: R239. Add to basket🛠️ Biologically pre-charged Terra Preta Nova Soil Catalyst
🛠️ Premium macadamia shell Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
🛠️ Beneficial Active Microbes (BAM!)
🛠️ Zero nutrient lockout • Permanent microbial habitat • Ready to use -
STS
105L 5-Tray Vertical Worm Farm
Original price was: R6,299.R4,995Current price is: R4,995. Made to Order🪱 Large 105L volume vermicomposter!
🪱 5-tray stackable bin for recycling kitchen waste.
🪱 Includes auxiliary tools.
🪱 Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. -
STS
Vermi-Syn³ – The Fermentation Regulator [1000ml]
Original price was: R300.R195Current price is: R195. Add to basket🛠 3-in-1 Worm Food, Bokashi & Septic Odour.
🛠 Double-Tap Tek: Activated Biochar matrix with 3000 m2/g functional surface area.
🛠 pH- Optimized – 6.5 – maximum microbial health and rapid composting
🛠 Full Soil biome – Anaerobic and Aerobic -
STS
Vermicomposting Starter Kit – Easy!
Original price was: R300.R250Current price is: R250. Add to basket🪱 Includes 300-600 healthy Red Wigglers
🪱 In a breathable 1L Polypropylene screw-tub,.
🪱 320ml VermiBoost bio-enriched stabilizer.
🪱 Easy and eco-friendly.
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STS
Low-Temperature Dried Elephant Garlic Slices | 40g
Original price was: R115.R95Current price is: R95. Add to basket🧄Organically Grown Elephant Garlic
🧄Low-Temperature Dried to preserve flavour, aroma and quality
🧄Perfect for Braais, Soups, Pasta, Pizza, Marinades & Garlic Infusions
🧄Small-Batch Crafted in South Africa • No Preservatives • 40g -
STS
Organic Elephant Garlic Cloves – Vernalized
Original price was: R695.R495Current price is: R495. Add to basket🌱 Large, mild-flavoured cloves
🌱 10 Elephant Garlic Organic seeds
🌱 Vernalized for immediate planting
🌱 Seasonal – limited Stock -
STS
Passive Organic Hydroponics Start Kit & Course | Vermiponics
Original price was: R499.R359Current price is: R359. Add to basket🛠 5L Passive Vermiponic Starter System
🛠 Includes 2 dm³ VermiCore Living Growth Medium
🛠 Free STS Practical #11 Digital Manual Included
🛠 Learn to Build & Scale Your Own Vermiponic Systems -
STS
Kashmiri Garlic Pearl Poppers – (3 Month Allicin Supply)
Original price was: R400.R245Current price is: R245. Add to basket📦 3-Month Functional Supply
📦Long Pantry Storage
📦60-Second Thermal-Shock Prep
📦Dual-Action Activation Mechanics
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STS
High-Viscosity Sodium Alginate | 99% Pure | Reagent Grade
Original price was: R195.R179Current price is: R179. Add to basket🧫 99% Pure Reagent-Grade Sodium Alginate
🧫 High Viscosity (724 cP) for superior gel strength
🧫 Ideal for Preta Pearls, encapsulation & molecular gastronomy
🧫 Supplied in a reusable laboratory clip-top PP tub with silica pouch -
STS
DIY Binary Hydroponic Nutrient Kit | Makes 10L Professional Concentrates
Original price was: R350.R249Current price is: R249. Add to basket🌱 Makes 10L professional nutrient concentrate
🌱 Binary Alpha & Omega formula prevents nutrient lockout
🌱 Complete macro & chelated micronutrient package
🌱 Professional hydroponics made simple -
STS
Organic Elephant Garlic Corms (Heirloom)
Original price was: R135.R95Current price is: R95. Add to basket🌱 Start your Elephant Garlic journey.
🌱 Grows into Ajo Macho Solo Round.
🌱 Perennial plant and natural pest deterrent.
🌱 Limited Stock – 20 off per pack -
STS
ePTFE Filter Patch Stickers – 0.25µm filtration (24)
Original price was: R140.R95Current price is: R95. Add to basket🧫 Professional 0.25µm filtration
🧫 20mm synthetic filter stickers
🧫 Ensure clean GE for jar lids.
🧫 Autoclavable glue.
The Real Breakthrough
People often ask what the biggest discovery was.
It wasn’t VermiPonics.
It wasn’t Selective Nutrition.
It wasn’t Double-Tap Biochar.
The real breakthrough was much simpler.
We stopped trying to improve nature…
and started trying to understand it.
Once we viewed plants, fungi and microorganisms as cooperating biological systems rather than separate industries, the framework almost assembled itself.
Why the Sustainability Testing Station Exists
The STS isn’t a laboratory designed to prove ideas.
It’s a workshop designed to break them.
Most innovations look impressive under perfect conditions.
We wanted to know what survived under imperfect ones.
We wanted to know what survived under imperfect ones.
Power failures.
Water shortages.
Limited budgets.
Recycled materials.
South African Bundu realities.
Every failure became another experiment.
Every experiment became another lesson.
Eventually those lessons became STS Notes.
We’re Not Experts Looking Down
We don’t claim to know everything.
If anything, the last decade has taught us how much there still is to learn.
We’re gardeners.
Builders.
Engineers.
Mushroom growers.
Composters.
People who spend more time cleaning worm bins than sitting in boardrooms.
Everything we share has first passed through our own hands. If something doesn’t work at the STS backyard…
it doesn’t belong in yours.
The Journey Continues…
Bundu Teq is not finished.
Neither is Eco Bini.
Every season introduces new questions.
New failures.
New ideas.
Some will succeed.
Many won’t.
That’s exactly how the Sustainability Testing Station is supposed to work.
Because engineering biological independence isn’t about reaching the destination.
It’s about continually learning from nature.
One growing season at a time.
End of the Beginning… The Biochar Breakthrough
Our mission started with a South African dream: food sovereignty through closed-loop systems. We tied three kingdoms—plants (VermiPonics), fungi (Mushrooms), and Monera (Bacteria)—into a sustainable cycle, pasteurised by Vermicomposting worms. Then, biochar threw a spanner in the works, unlocking the ancient secret of Terra Preta: a stable carbon fortress that hosts microbes for centuries, born from Amazonian soils 7,000 years ago.
A single 2mm grain of biochar has a surface area as vast as a tennis court, creating a microbial fortress for soil and spawn. Our STS breakthroughs harness this power:
- Terra Preta Nova BAM! – Soil catalyst for resilient plants.
- PretaBiome – A fermentation-conditioned biological carrier engineered to establish, expand, and house beneficial microorganisms.
“From backyard worms to eternal soils—the Bundu revolution starts here.”
Learn to charge biochar like a proOr the Beginning of the End? Stay up to date with our Courses. Start growing smarter today.