Does anyone have any knowledge of producing and using extract of seaweed? I have half filled a large water butt with freshly collected seaweed, & topped it up with water. I understand from snippets found here & there, that I will have extract of seaweed in about 6 weeks, which will have to be diluted at differing strengths depending on its intended use. I believe it is valuable as a foliar feed, root feed, for soil improvement and is especially good for seedlings & young plants. O.K., that exhausts my knowledge of the subject - and I don't guarantee any part of it to be absolutely correct, apart from the content of the water butt! I am seeking the following information.

What will the dilution rates be for the various uses?
How often should it be used?
I assume the seaweed is exhausted during the extraction, but is 6 weeks the correct time, & is there any use for the spent weed after that?

I have also put a 2 inch mulch of seaweed over the beds for the first time, but any benefit from that will be readily apparent during the season and its strength is not wildly variable & so should not burn roots or foliage.
In past years I have included small quantities in the compost heap, but I've no experience of extraction.
If this site had an icon of Stan Laurel scratching his hairline it would be most appropriate & I'd use it!

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Derek-G