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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STS
Umami Shiitake Mushroom Spawn Kit
Original price was: R1,399.R995Current price is: R995. Add to basket✔ Umami Shiitake Mushroom Spawn Kit (Lentinula edodes)
✔ 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
✔ The world’s premier hardwood gourmet mushroom, prized for its rich natural umami flavour -
STS
Heavy-Duty 300mm PE Layflat Tubing (75 Micron, Per Meter)
Original price was: R12.R10Current price is: R10. Add to basket🧫Premium 75-Micron Heavy-Duty Gauge
🧫300mm wide, Continuous Seamless Design
🧫Sold per meter.
🧫High-Clarity Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) -
STS
Beech Mushroom (Buna-Shimeji) Spawn Kit
Original price was: R1,399.R995Current price is: R995. Add to basket✔ Buna-Shimeji (Beech Mushroom) Spawn Kit (Hypsizygus marmoreus)
✔ 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
✔ Control the shape: bouquets or heavyweight -
STS
Medicinal Turkey Tail Mushroom Spawn Kit
Original price was: R1,399.R995Current price is: R995. Add to basket✔ Medicinal Turkey Tail Mushroom Spawn Kit (Trametes versicolor)
✔ 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
✔ One of the world’s most researched medicinal mushrooms with striking multicoloured fruiting bodies
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STS
📜Reference
MicroFlow CFT | Continuous Flow-Through Vermicompost Starter Kit & Course
Original price was: R1,299.R749Current price is: R749. Read more🛠Handmade, Plug-and-Play Urban CFT Worm Bin.
🛠 Assembled Micro-Flow CFT with Bedding and retaining disc.
🛠 Red Wigglers & Vermi-Syn3 – to start and maintain a worm bin.
🛠 Includes full Continuous Flow-Through (CFT) Reactor Manual -
STS Reusable Poly-Mesh Microbial Extraction Filter
R40 Add to basket🪱Durable Polypropylene Micro-Weave
🪱50cm Paracord-style 7-Core Lashing Cord
🪱Reusable 300µm Bio-Filter Bags
🪱Hydrophobic, Inert – will not rot -
STS
Eco Bini™ Bokashi BAM! Terra Preta Nova Charged Biochar Starter Kit (2kg)
Original price was: R279.R195Current price is: R195. Add to basket🪱 Dual-Action Solid-State Microbial Catalyst
🪱 Beneficial Active Microbes (BAM!) + Charged Macadamia Biochar (GAC)
🪱 100% Odour-Free Bokashi Fermentation
🪱 Creates Long-Lasting Terra Preta Nova Living Soil -
STS
Elephant Garlic Start Kit | GroCormZ
Original price was: R75.R49Current price is: R49. Add to basket🌱 Produces Authentic Ajo Macho (Solo Garlic)
🌱 Encapsulated Elephant Garlic Corm Included
🦠 Terra Preta Nova Biological Grow Ball
💧 Just Plant, Water & Grow — Pointy Side Up!
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STS
Elephant Garlic Start Kit | GroCormZ
Original price was: R75.R49Current price is: R49. Add to basket🌱 Produces Authentic Ajo Macho (Solo Garlic)
🌱 Encapsulated Elephant Garlic Corm Included
🦠 Terra Preta Nova Biological Grow Ball
💧 Just Plant, Water & Grow — Pointy Side Up! -
Potato Grow Bag – Heavy Duty (38L) with Harvest Flap
R149 Add to basket🌱 Grow Potatoes anywhere!
🌱 UV-resistant 38L bag with easy-harvest flap.
🌱 Reinforced handles, and aeration holes.
🌱 Ideal for small urban spaces. -
Organic Elephant Garlic Rounds (Ajo Macho / Solo Garlic)
R90 Read more🌱 Large, mild-flavoured single Ajo Macho bulbs
🌱Organic Elephant Garlic Rounds / Pearl / Solo
🌱 Vernalized for immediate planting or roasting
🌱 Seasonal – Limited Stock -
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
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STS
XA-Gel | Molecular Synergism & Organic Hydrogel | 60g
Original price was: R395.R195Current price is: R195. Add to basket🧫 Xanthan adds elasticity and moisture retention.
🧫 XA-Gel: Xanthan-Agar Premix for Molecular Mycology.
🧫 Optimize your agar with ” Rhizo-Glide ” synergy.
🧫 Prevents desiccation and creates shake-to-activate slants. -
STS
#32 STS Prac: Mushroom Grain Spawn Production & Hydration Guide (PDF Download)
Original price was: R450.R149Current price is: R149. Add to basket🧫Learn five grain hydration methods + NSS-Tek
🧫Decode no-US 80 kPa pressure cooker limitations
🧫Trichoderma / Endospore Trouble Shooting
🧫Why grain spawn hits a metabolic cliff -
STS
Eco Bini™ LAB-X | Osmotically Stabilized Lactic Acid Bacteria Inoculant
Original price was: R395.R225Current price is: R225. Add to basket🧫Osmotically Stabilized Lactic Acid Bacteria Serum
🧫Probiotic Inoculant – easy dose wide mouth PP Media Jar
🧫Bokashi bran, living soil, LAB applications and rapid odour control
🧫Ready to Use with No Pre-Activation Required -
STS
10x8x35cm Mother Spawn Bag [0.2μm Filter]
Price range: R12 through R745 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page📦 Commercial-grade 60 Micron Polypropylene.
📦 Non-woven 0.2µm ePTFE filter patch.
📦 Maximum sterility during grain spawn production.
📦 Gusseted design – Autoclavable up to 126°C.
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.