Why to use worm Castings

[Aquaman2112]

Worm castings contain many beneficial bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for turning ammonium in soil into nitrates. Nitrates are the most easily used form of nitrogen for the plants. As well as containing these beneficial bacteria, they also contain amino acids which help in the growth and development of your plants. For hydroponics, worm castings are available in liquid form to cover all stages of plant development or additives to give your plants an added boost. Worm castings are a cost efficient way of supplying the needed nutrients to the plants and in most places are readily available

[badmf]

Plus they're great with peanut butter! :biglaugh:

[tokinjoe]

Oh good day Badmf....lol

[KGB47]

There's a great website, wormgold.com, that has products related to worm castings. Great stuff.

[HOT CARGO]

i use that stuff. its great to add to your mix. it gives the plants more natural grow pattern i think. more natural they look ,the more i like them.

peace

[Guest]

I use Tiger Bloom Big Bud along with bud swell bat guano. I get nice tasty, fat buds too!

Avid

[Capt. Crip]

Worm castings is the single best flavor enhancer IMO!
Nothing I have used works better and it's full of trace elements.I use only Pro-Mix and Worm Castings and perlite in my soil mixes.All other organics are watered in.
Castings RULE!!!!
Wiggle Worm all the way........................

[Capt. Crip]

It's SUPERWORM
http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/161DSC01424-thumb.JPG (http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/161DSC01424.JPG)





:biglaugh: :wave:

[Guest]

how much worm casins to a gallon can, im usin chicken manure as a supplement right now.

CBF

[Capt. Crip]

I use 15 lbs. to a bail of promix for growth and 30 lbs. to a bail for flowering.Not sure how that would break down but I can check the cubic feet on a promix bail and maybe go from there.
I only use wiggle worm as it is pure castings.
Take care.......................CC

[Capt. Crip]

My Promix bales are 3.8 cubic feet.
I am thinking a cup per gallon during flowering and a half cup per gallon of soil during veg.

I really think thats close and should seriously increase flavor for you,I swear it.
Take care......................CC

[wolfshadow]

I use worm castings for ALL my plants. I use the 5 pot rule:wink:
5.pots of potting soil.
2.pots of canaidian peat.
2.pots of perlite
1.pot of WC
1/4 cup of Dolimite lime.
No blood/bone meal for outside plants for me.
Dont matter the size of the pots 1-3 gal's for measuring works well.
Never tried the Hydro w/wc's,but I could only imagine that it would work and taste very well. They have natural insect repelants that work very WELL in the bush though.
<<ws>>

[Smokin'Bones]

CBF

With castings you really don't have to worry about a correct amount. You can grow in straight castings but wouldn't recommend it.

You can also make a tea 1 part castings to 3 parts water and let stand 24 hours. Stir well then water normally. Works wonders and definitely enhances the flavor.

Bones

[Smokin'Bones]

Just noticed... isn't this in the wrong forum??... Organic Hydro

[wolfshadow]

No. I believe its the RIGHT forum.
I myself, just jumped off topic abit talking about bennfits of WC's with soil :wink:
<ws>
:confused:

[Guest]

Castings are great they are basically humus and can not be over done really.. the problem is that the more you add the denser your mix becomes and the more water it will hold..ive got a lady right now that hasent been watered for over 11 days because i over did the casting on purpose ...shes just as healthy as her sisters though...

great stuff
take care
greenfriend

[Guest]

I Use FF OF soil and it already has WC, Should i add more WC? its 1 cubic ft of soil
How much more should i add if any at all? very curious if it will add even more taste?
peace..
Sack's First Outdoor Grow (http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=11794)
Our grow has adopted some new family members.. LQQK!!

sack :friends: :canabis: :joint:

[Growdoc]

I have seen freshly rooted clones in grodan put directly on top of wormcasting... only prob is mold/fungus...

WC is so important for your plants, always have some on hand...

Growdoc

[CalcioErba2004]

Worm Castings are awesome. I have a wormfarm that I get my castings from and my bait. :wink:

[Guest]

bait? what u fish 4 there? I LOVE fishin. We get MOnster salmon and Halibit here.

[CalcioErba2004]

Whatever bites. :biglaugh: We go catfishing, Bass fishing, but we like going out and catching striper, fun fish to catch.

[Bigmone357]

Did somebody say fishing? I LOVE FISHIN' lol :joint: :wave: I catch all kinds.Worm beds are the shit just a pile of leaves wet it all the time with the hose & they come to the top of the ground & feed we like to put CORNMEAL in the leaves to make the worms fat 'Nightcrawlers' yeah worm castings are DEFINATELY BLACK GOLD. Peace Bm357 :sasmokin:

[Guest]

So my question was this I Use FF OF soil and it already has WC, Should i add more WC? its 1 cubic ft of soil How much more should i add if any at all?
very curious if it will add even more taste?
peace..

Sack's First Outdoor Grow (http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=11794)
Our grow has adopted some new family members.. LQQK!!

sack :friends: :canabis: :joint:

[bartender187]

add more...

ide add like a cup to every gallon of soil... if the Wc make the soil drain too slow... supplement with Perlite as well...

[Bigmone357]

U don't need x-tra flavor with FF OF soil the stuff is has all it needs mixed right in.I think the Ocean Forest soil is rich enough IMHO if I where u & did add any it wouldn't be alot because the dirt holds enough water as it is. I like to add blood & bone to the middle/bottom layer of the FF soil in the pot ever ate a juicy steak that's what it's like to the [plant imo . This is a weed not rocket science go with your heart. Hope this helps.Later Bm357 :wave: :pimp3:

[Guest]

Thanx for the reply guys appreciate it. I will add just a lil to my black gold mixture. And not the FF.. peace..

Sack's First Outdoor Grow (http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=11794)
Our grow has adopted some new family members.. LQQK!!

sack :friends: :canabis: :joint:

[Bigmone357]

Your welcome sacko!

[ledhed]

I've been using worm castings for about six months now. In fact, up until I put my babies into flower, all I use is perlite, vermiculite, and worm castings. I cannot BELIEVE how much better my plants look at every stage of growth.

Worm castings are da shit. Literally!

[Guest]

There are worm castings and bat quano that have differing amounts of P-K-N. Pay attention for which phase you are using your bat quano and worm castings for. I use BudSwell Bat Quano and Worm castigs during flowering through to near finish in aeroponics. I use it in a tea form. Works great and has a natural flavor of dirt and buds.

Avid

[1quixotix]

Pro-mix, castings, vermiculite. All one needs to start plants in "soil". Other organic amendments come later. As an additive in soil and hydro: take a nylon stocking with a handful of the castings in a gallon or 5 gal of non-chlorinated water. Bubble overnight with a tsp. of unsulfured molasses. Strain if adding to hydro. Also that overnight brew is good to put into a spray bottle and spray leaves top and bottom. Creates sort of a bacteriological shield. Good to resist environmental stressors. I haven't noticed anyone mention spraying the leaves with casting brew, yet. Just the best thing going! Only gets better if you have a worm farm going! 1Q

[wikidcalibudgrl]

i was just looking at a product by Mad Farmer that is a worm casting juice( forgot the name,, the lady was gunna give me a sample of that, but gave us Jurassik Acid insted).. i wsa thinkin of getting some and using it as a foliar feed for my vegin' plants :chin: , sounds like the bomb-digity for plants,,
i was given the sample bottle of Jurassic Acid ,,made by Dr.Pursifull organic Elixirs,, it's a humic acid and can also be used as a floiar feed,, kinda conflictin info on it tho,, it gives Hydroponic doesages,,and then on the other side of the bottle says DO NOT use in nute solutions w/ pH less then 6.0 . :chin: hmmm,,, isn't it ideal for Hydro to be 5.5 -5.8 ? anyways :rant:
,,,, i'ma use it a s a foliar feed anyhow, but thought i'd throw that out there too

[Guest]

Can you use castings with coir in an ebb & flow tray?

[3legdog]

Worm castings are probably the most essential ingredient in my program...in soil & as a fert. I cannot stress enough how well wc tea has proven it's worth & i add it to all my guano tea mixes also. I have been using a product called "Superswell" it's a guano/wc combination thats (0-7-0) & it's a great tea in late flowering...really enhances the herbs flavor without adding anything....top notch fert. :woohoo: Take care all & have a nice weekend Peace 3legs :wave:

also wcbg the dr. pursivill..also makes the wc tea & it is a total rip..imho. Unless you cannot get a bag of castings & make it yourself. It's just a simple wc solution that needs dilution....make it yerself for 100th of the cost...my thoughts

[Guest]

wikid Was it Dr Purcifulls Worm Tea Elixir?

[B.C.]

Any time you make your own oganic hydro mix you have to watch your ph very close, it will fluctuate alot ! that's why I would suggest sticking with oganics from a bottle; ph buffer already in it... As far as castings go in soil anything over 25-30 % is overkill and imo isn't healthy, it's about a balance of organic materials. One of the most important things about casting is that it is not only organic but it's ALIVE. With a good " micro-herd " in your soil the plant will feed at it's full potential and be disease free. Also you won't need to fertilize as much because these benefical microrganizms are breaking down the organics in soil and feeding it to the plant.... So really your feeding the micro-heard and that's what's feeding your plant. I think FoxFarm OF has this down pretty well; a balance of organics and micro. bacteras.... my 2 cents... lol sorry for rambleing

[3legdog]

When you bubble a wc tea with or without guano for a few days the ph is absolutly beautiful. At around 7 it is easily lowered to about 6.5 where i prefer it. As far as bottled organics go i use several of them also & not many have a ph buffer & therefor are far worse imho to stabilize... than a tea bubbled a few days. Organics like EJ or NH drop the bottom out of the ph level & it's very hard to get it stable & up to atleast 6. This has been my experience Peace all 3legs

i also agree BC i only use about 10-15% wc in my soil mix...hell i cant afford any more than that....plus i am a feeder' & prefer a semi-weak soil mix so i can feed more often

[mean mr.mustard]

I use worm castings ON my soil and in a tea for my soil pot plants. It is awesome, but is the only organic I've ever burned with!!

[3legdog]

Yes mean mr. i have also burned more than 1 plan over the yrs' w/ the wc. I find now that as long as i let it sit in a wet mix for minimum 1wk(2 prefer).. all is well green happy & healthy. Other products such as blood/bone meal & composted manures will also make a hot nutrient/locked mix if ya dont let it sit a while & best to add some powdered dolimitic lime for the ph. Happy gardening everyone 3legs

[mean mr.mustard]

I do want to start a worm farm tho.
they munch trash fast!

[B.C.]

3legdog you make a good point, unless you let it set and bubble for a few days the ph goes way high and then comes back down. This is because the micro goodies are feeding at such a fast rate with all the oxygen and food in he water it makes it unstable then after a couple days when the feeding frenzy has slowed down the ph becomes stable. Another good point you made is letting your soil set and stew for a week or two.This is so over looked when people mix there own soil but such an important part of the organic process. Again your ph will be wack if you don't let the micro crittes do there thang.As far as organic nutes from a bottle pbp is very stable ph wise FoxFarms is another. I know what your saying about E.J. though very unstable. For the longest time they had problems with the grow part of there nute program, seems it was fermenting in the stores setting on the shelf before it was ever opened makeing the ph very unstable. This I learned the hard way. The hell of it was they knew it was like that!!! ( I got flat-assed pissed off over that one ! ) So no more ej for me lol that shit is nasty to run in hydro anyway or even bubbleing it a day for soil.I reckon I'm getting old and lazy and don't want to mix, bubble, or guess how much to use when makeing teas why should I, with good soil like FF OF and a little (or alot of) big bloom right out of the bottle I get better yeilds than when I was useing teas. But hey this is just my way of skinning a cat there's more than one way... lol. stay safe yall

[3legdog]

Right on BC Botanicares PBP nuts. are definetly fantastic right out of the bottle..the big bloom also. I also know what your saying about being a pita to mix teas thats why i switch around often & have built a collection of bottled organics. All the fish based products (alaska...neptunes..)are super acidic & seem to do well if i let them bubble 2-3 days...but man the smell almost runs me out the house :yoinks: :biglaugh: man my plants do stand at attention though when i hit w/ the NH 2-4-1....good stuff used right

There are many good bottled ferts....even the ones w/o stabilizers you just have to figure out what makes them work (nut.uptake&ph wise) for the herb plant & believe me i ve had plenty of failures but seem to have a descent grip now on what works for my set-up.

Also if i could afford it i would also use the FF OF soil mix. That stuff has all the right goodies in it for beautiful healthy plants with minimum feeding. I added more promixbx & perlite to mine(make it go further) the few times i've splurged & bought some. They need to make bails of the stuff, bring the price down & start selln' it at the depot.. then it's all i'd buy. Nuff out of me certainly wandering :off2: & dont want to do that... Peace everyone & have a nice weekend 3legs :wave: :Bolt:

[strain_searcher]

I used to use worm castings and they were great but they did cause bad drainage even with lots of perlite. I prefer bat guano tea much better now. :wave:

[Guest]

Question for anyone,reading about wormcastings,the ad says reduces water uptake in soil.Just outta curiocity,how is this beneficial?

[Guest]

:lurk:

[I.M. Boggled]

...I recommend brewing guanos separately from castings and mixing together before feeding...
I'm curious, why is that c-ray?

IMB :)

[the protege]

any benefit to adding worm castings to a coir/perlite mix? The beneficial bacteria sound good, but with reduced drainage, I don't know if that will cause a problem. I am planning on doing a dripper system with 60/40 perlite/coir mix, so it will not retain too much water. If I were to add castings, what would you change the ratios too? Anybody with first hand experience?

[zolar]

seems that i've been doing the right things empirically for years
my back's screwed up from auto accidents and i don't move heavy thing i don't have to but i've beenn dumping clippings weeds thinings and old leaves etc in 5 gal buckets around the yard for a while now and usually i dump the tea colored water into raised beds when the level of rainwater get to or the close the top before dumping the slimy stuff into the compost great thread i'll stop pulling the white stuff.

[Equipment Junki]

I just found out an interesting tidbit.

Fruit eating bats have one type of guano, and insect eating bats have guano that is high in chitin (pronounced Kite'n)

Chitin has been shown to keep powdery mildew and grey mould at bay.

I am (I keep forgetting) to find out what brands of Bat Guano comes from insect eating bats. Will update.

Respect

[fari]

I do want to start a worm farm tho.
they munch trash fast!

I guess i'm lucky:d:d

Worm castings
http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/501/5324planten_004-thumb.jpg (http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/501/5324planten_004.jpg)

Bless

[reaperz]

you can always make your own worming castings, use what mother nature gave us+its free

[Ziggy420]

any benefit to adding worm castings to a coir/perlite mix? The beneficial bacteria sound good, but with reduced drainage, I don't know if that will cause a problem. I am planning on doing a dripper system with 60/40 perlite/coir mix, so it will not retain too much water. If I were to add castings, what would you change the ratios too? Anybody with first hand experience?

I've been using TerraCycle ProFusion at 10% for Germination to 3rd week of veg. Paper towel to Jiffy pellet to coco...So far so good. Last 2 weeks schedule has been 10% TC ProFusion every watering and 50% Canna every 3rd day. Most places charge way too much $20-$40 but I got a gallon from wormsway.com for $10. I just checked back and it's up to $12.48. IMO it's great stuff if you don't have the time or want to mess with worms.

(http://www.wormsway.com/detail.asp?sku=TP410)

[Ziggy420]

Forgot to mention I'm using the TC Pro at 10% for foliar feeding as well. I spray it on when ever and doesn't seem to matter how often...the more the better. As with any organic fert I keep it in the fridge.

[Mr.Tighteyes!]

this is my first time using castings, i mixed it with my soil with a 3 to 1 ratio. I also add 1and 3/4 quarts of castings to 1 gallon of water and let it sit for 24 to 48 hrs and water them with it. Here is a great place to get them if anyone would like organicworm.com you can get all the wiggle worm castings you like and it is always safe and packaged discreetly. Just thought this could help a few folks if needed and your plants will love them to.

[Capt. Crip]

"Why to use casting"


Because it's the best organic fertilizer known to man....Natures ultimate recycler!!!!
Cannot burn plants with it and all living plants love it!!!

Badass stuff!!!

Wiggle Worm is what we use here...It's pure castings....

[Mr.Tighteyes!]

You got that right Capt. Crip my new Urkels that i'm testing with these Wiggle Worm castings are really truely loving them. I know alot about you Capt. and was just wondering if i am anywhere close to your doseage or not? Not trying to get your technique just was curious, because mine are really green and the leaves are just as perky as they can be. Later CC

[JackOneill]

I would never grow without EWC ever. Great stuff and is from mother nature and she does know best as all us organic fanatics know.

[stikik22]

Has anyone grown a plant using nothing but castings, the reason i ask is i have been doing it a couple months and i noticed that i had no males at all this go i planted 11 bagseed......aside from draniage i think its been a great grow so far.

[Guest]

Gross stuff but I used some Big Bloom and it is worm castings and bat guano. :puppydoge

[kuff23]

is it tru u can use worm cast as a medium entirely

[joesy whales]

Its very true, when I lived in AZ. I purchased castings stright from the worm farm, 150 bucks for a pickup load, they were stright out of the worm beds, big worms screened out but all sorts of small wigglers and eggs in a sandy soil. I don't think I have ever grown any healthyer plants and it drained almost to good and talk about roots. a five gallon pot would be totaly packed with roots in 2 months. no burn at all.

[kuff23]

thanks 4 the insight j whales

[RockyMountainHi]

Has anyone grown a plant using nothing but castings, the reason i ask is i have been doing it a couple months and i noticed that i had no males at all this go i planted 11 bagseed......aside from draniage i think its been a great grow so far.



"bagseed" -- could you be a lil more spefific?

Hermi spawn seed will generally be female and more hermi prone than the plant that made it.

Likely your plants will hermi during flower and you get some seeds.

I'll bet dollars to doughnuts the soil had any impact on the female ratio.


Why is this in the HYDRO forum?

[kuff23]

If I were 2 plant this way would i need 2 add any nutes? or can I grow using wormcasts and get the best results :rasta:

[Gods son]

good thread

[Organic Rooster]

worm poop is great!

[-=KwarE=-]

I bought a worm factory off of ebay and compost all my food in it. It works great and i make a worm tea with the liquid that drains off the "worm factory" i add a couple ounces of mollases, 20ml of age old kelp, 12oz of worm juice, and let it bubble with 8gals of water and some heat for 1-3 days... It is INSANE, the amount of foam i get off the bubbler. The bloom from the beneficial bacteria has never made my roots so healthy.... I use it in my cloner too. Keeps the slime from starting. One of the best secrets in organic farming IMHO.

[RockyMountainHi]

I use it in my cloner too. Keeps the slime from starting.


Slime in your cloner? This can't be a good thing,

I get alge start to be visable and it's time for a hot soapy scrub. Usually a couple water changes between scrubbings and ALWAYS remove non succesful cuts when there is no hope left for them. No slime and prolly 85+% of the cuts take root.

Slime and roots are not words I like to see used together - I get flashbacks. lol

[-=KwarE=-]

no your missing th point.... slime on the stem before roots form is a sign of anaerobic bacteria, and it will happen to any cloner w/o tea that isnt cleaned regularly... By adding this compost tea, i barely ever have to change the water in my cloner... I just top it up, and scrup out the inline Y filter so the misters keep spraying. The beneficial bacteria from the worm tea, wards off the anaerobic growth before it can start; as well as adding tons of beneficial microbes, protozoa, funghi, and nematodes to the water which only quickens the onset of roots.

Cleaning your resevoir every couple weeks is sort of a solution, but your not killing anaerobic bacteria, its just getting rid of it before it can take over the res.

[RockyMountainHi]

I said clean the alge - NOT SLIME.




Most growers I know - don't need any additives to overcome a slime issue in cloners; what ever works for ya, but I won't wait to clean till they slime and therefor don't use additives.

My knowlege and experience of hydro ops is nill - well not nill exactly, but

Do what works for you, but I'll invest some extra time and avoid the slime.


http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/38229SD70day1-thumb.jpg (http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/500/38229SD70day1.jpg)

[Pguard]

When I first started growing a few years ago and still didn't know much about the bacteria goodness I made an accidental side by side comparison: I ran out of worm castings and had 2 plants with it and 2 plants without. I'm still amazed now of te difference it made, the plants with worm castings grew almost 2 times faster and had an awesome clear lush green compared to the dark matte of the plants without it.

A truly amazing suplement, but it's very important to prepare and keep wet the mixture one week before the plants get there so the bacteria can expand.

[abuldur]

I never buy them you can pic them up when you go picking mushrooms.
But never let them dry bacteria will die.

[charlesweedmore]

worm Castings is great and i will use them in coco :)

[ItsAllOver]

Thanks for the run through.

[s13sr20det]

I also use the worm factory, and LOVE IT!!
http://www.vermiculture.ca/store/images/uploads/wormfactory5/black5oldlid.jpg

[Spanishwilly]

I make my own castings and now we have more than we need. There's a great design on "instructables" for a cloth worm farm. Anyway. They're great.

[pepelepew098]

first time i grew with castings, i was blown away....i experimented with 50% castings 50% perlite, and i've never seen plants grow so fast and so healthy...as soon as the seeds sprouted i put them in the mix and a week later they were 1ft tall...fastest i've ever seen a plant grow....good thread