What is Worm Vermicomposting

Vermicompost is the product or process of composting utilizing various species of worms, usually red wigglers, white worms, and earthworms to create a heterogeneous mixture of decomposing vegetable or food waste, bedding materials, and vermicast. Vermicast, similarly known as worm castings, worm humus or worm manure, is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by a species of earthworm.

Containing water-soluble nutrients, vermicompost is an excellent, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. The process of producing vermicompost is called vermicomposting.

Here are some of the Key Benefits of using earthworm castings (Vericompost)

  

Naturally Organic and Odor Free - Worm castings come straight from the earthworm with no alterations.  Nothing is added or changed.  The earthworm does it all.  There is no odor, so you can use it directly from the bag on indoor plants.

 

  

Will Not Burn – With worm castings, you never have to worry about over fertilizing.  Worm castings will not burn at any concentration.  You can even start seeds or root cuttings in pure worm castings.

  

  

Improves Soil Structure – Worm castings are cylindrically shaped pellets that resist compaction and keep the soil loose.  This allows roots the ability to grow fast and fibrous.  It also allows for excellent drainage so roots don’t become waterlogged.

 

 

Beneficial Bacteria and Microbes – Worm castings contain high concentrations of beneficial bacteria and microbes that are added by the earthworm in the digestive process.  These microscopic creatures help different elements of the soil work in conjunction with each other to create healthy, living soil that provides the best possible atmosphere for optimum growth.

  

 

High Availability of Nutrients – The digestive tract of the earthworm grinds and uniformly mixes the nutrients and trace elements found in the soil into simple forms, so plants need only minimal effort to obtain them yet also remain available in the soil for long term use.  This allows plants to feed as needed for weeks at a time. 

 

Trace Minerals - In addition to containing Nitrogen, our castings also contain small amounts of Phosphorus and Potassium and the trace minerals Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Boron, Copper, Zinc and Manganese.

Contain Plant growth hormones - Worm castings naturally contain Auxins and Cytokinins, which are growth hormones that promote bigger and more fibrous plant roots.  

 

 

 

         

Worm Castings used to make Worm Tea.


Castings and Worm Tea are not only a Fertilizer but can be used for Fungus Control, and as a Insect Repellent.

Fungus Control: Four major university research projects and testing has shown that the complete soil food biology found in worm castings will quickly control fungus problems. Within a few weeks plants suffering from fungus problems will show significant improvement that lasts. All ground fungus is quickly brought under control. Nitrogen is released in the fungus control process providing added plant growth. (This is published research information and can be given to buyers in a generic form).

Insect Repellency: Testing has shown that several microorganisms found in worm castings stimulate the organisms in plants that work as repellents for a large array of insects. The repellents increase to a level that the insects find the plant nectar distasteful. The insects then leave. The effectiveness has been seen for aphids, white fly, and other bugs that feed on the plant juices. Plants tested included but are not limited to: begonias, various citrus, hibiscus, various house plants, morning glory, roses, solanum, and zylosma. The number of individuals who have successful applications now exceed 1,500. This research is on-going. .

Fire Ant and Common Ant Repellency: Ants can detect the natural repellency organisms when they walk over worm castings. They find the worm castings highly objectionable. An immediate negative reaction can be seen by ants when worm castings are applied. The ants leave areas covered with a ‡ inch layer but will begin to walk across the layer after a few weeks. Apparently some change happens to the top layer. Red fire ants will leave their nests within 24 hours of a single application. We are working with the top research scientists for the application on red fire ants. The ant revulsion has many applications.
How Does the Insect Repellency Work?

My best understanding and explanation is:

The relationship between the enzyme chitinase and insect repellency is well documented from academic research. (Extensive research work is now being done to genetically alter plants to produce a high level of chitinase). Using worm castings is a non-toxic, and organic method of doing the same without genetic alteration.

The enzyme chitinase will dissolve chitin and chitin makes the exoskeleton of a bug. If the level is below detection then it is not toxic to the bug and they can NOT detect it. Increase the level of chitinase above this level and the bug is repelled by the nectar of the plant rather than attracted to it. The bugs reaction to chitinase is similar to our reaction to sour milk. One drop of sour milk mixed into a glass of sweet milk and you will drink the glass with no negative reaction. However, mix in three tablespoons and no one has to convince you to not drink the milk.

Using worm castings triggers the chitinase production level. At this point I can't name the trigger organism. I have a theory that I am researching. I should be able to name the organism soon. Applying the worm castings to the soil at a 10% - 20% mix results in the level of internal chitinase increasing. The 10-20% mix comes from research by Ohio State, Subler, Edwards, et al, regarding the optimum mix for optimum plant growth. Applying a ‡ inch layer to the top of a plant equates to 10%. A 1 inch layer to 20%.

The detection level for the bug is in the range of 1 million cfu/dwg. We have tested plants covered in white flies. The level of chitinase producing organisms is usually less than 300,000 cfu/dwg. One particular hibiscus tested at 260,000 cfu/dwg prior to application. This 10 foot tall hibiscus was covered in white flies. Three months after application the white flies had left the plant totally. The chitinase level had increased to 670,000,000 cfu/dwg.

The speed of repellency is in direct relation to the size of the plant. Spider mites will leave house plants in about two weeks. Aphids will leave roses in less than two months and it will take about three months for all of the white flies to leave a ten foot tall hibiscus.

It appears that this mechanism works for nearly every plant. I have included a list of the plants tested. All of the plants listed were tested by 11 nursery managers/staff and two garden writers. All tests to date have shown success. (These tests were NOT performed by California Vermiculture). We have performed our own tests and shown efficacy have relied on tests by others as support data. Nearly every one of these testers scoffed at the possibility of worm castings being able to repel insects.

People have told me that he could not accept insect repellency. I agreed that the idea sounded outrageous but offered samples for personal testing. One guy had roses that had been plagued with aphids for over six years. He said that there was not a single spot on these roses bigger than the size of a dime NOT covered in aphids. He applied a 1 inch layer in the watering basin. In less than two months, all aphids were gone. He has now applied worm castings to all of his roses. He now has not a single aphid anywhere.

Nursery managers have asked their clients to apply worm castings and observe the possible pest repellency effects. The number of people who have seen success in their own tests exceeds 1,000. I have asked how many of their clients have complained of no positive results. Not one complaint for lack of results has been made to date .

New Soil Soup 7 Gallon Brewer     



                                     

Includes:  1 G. Nutrient Solution, 10 pounds of Worm Castings, 7G bucket, spigot, lid, bubble break, 2nd generation BioBlender w/ heater, & filter.

• Second generation BioBlender (much quieter and more affordable to maintain)
• Integrated heater (batch will finish in 24 hours or less every time)
• Doubled the Nutrient Solution and Worm Castings in the brewing kit
• Increased the bucket size to 7G
• Added a spigot to the bottom of the bucket
• The system is now enclosed (no more messes from bubbling over the sides).
• Bubble break added to the bucket lid

 

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Worm Factory® 360 
Saves Time: Let the Worm Factory®360 do the work for you!
Instead of spending time turning piles of compost yourself and removing worms by hand, the multi-tray system separates the worms from the compost so you don’t have to. Also, because the worms continually eat through the waste in the stacked trays, compost is  produced at a faster rate than traditional methods of composting.
    

Worm Factory 360 with 2lbs red worms $139.00  
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