what i meant was like brewing coffee, can i run the same basket so to speak and get more of the same coffee or will it just get weaker and weaker, or is it just good for one shot?
How do you use earthworm castings?
- Thread starter stihgnobevoli
- Start date
G
greenmatter
the way i understand teas is that the biodiversity is at it's peak early in the brewing and the "big fish eat little fish" thing starts cutting the number of different microbes living in the tea down until just the big fish are left ........ i think that is kind of the Dr. Suess version of what is going on but it's the picture i can understand.
microbe man and his posts tell the story way better than me
FWIW i always use fresh castings when i brew tea and usually top dress with what is left of the castings when it is done.
microbe man and his posts tell the story way better than me
FWIW i always use fresh castings when i brew tea and usually top dress with what is left of the castings when it is done.
M
MrSterling
Yeah, I've two lbs of red wigglers on the way. Looking forward to integrating them into my soil.
KGB~Dragon
Member
I would use I cup worm castings to 1 gallon of water, add in 1 to 2 tablespoons of molasses depending on stage of plant, bubble it overnight if possible or else make sure Ph is where you want it.
If you're worried about burning, drop the molasses, the worm castings will never burn you're plant. *unless the worm castings have been enhanced in some way. Pure is best.
Using Worm castings for top soil or dressing is an excellent augmentation to you're soil. I would mix it with soil also about 20% of total volume. The nutrients are readily available and require no breakdown to be absorbed by the plant. Plants resist fungus, pests and are healthy most importantly.
I have used 1 cup pure worm castings to 1 gallon water - shake multiple times a day for a few days and then strain it and use for bug repellent, foliar feeding and zero burn.
A subject worthy to be bumped and I think it is an under utilized organic substance. Try seeding or cloning in worm castings w/ perlite/vermiculite.
Find a local worm farmer make friends
you won't regret it.
Hello!
Do not guess with Compost tea inputs unless you're rocking a microscope (I'm not).... there has been plenty or research done for you and it's served up on a silver platter here on icmag and elsewhere.
Compost tea recipe as per our own MicrobeMan
[vermi]compost – 2.38%
unsulphured pure black strap molasses - 0.50% [but you can use a maximum 0.75%]
So for most of us using 5 gallon brewers with 4 gallons of water in them.
4 gallons water.
1.5 cups Vermicompost
1/3 cup molasses
Optional .25% kelp Maximum but this will delay the process.
Optional fish hydrolysate (high quality) - 0.063%
Do not use chemically deodorized liquid fish!
Again... Thank you Microbeman.
Also, I have to share with everyone because it worked so well.... Check out this link to my grow journal, I have linked photos of the castings and a brief detail of the process I used. Anyways, 100 gallon smart pot full of castings in 4-6 months is pretty cool and cheap. Now I'm wondering what took me so long to start making my own?!
EDIT: Don't even think about worrying about the PH of whatever you're doing with worm castings. Also, I know that Von would use a Drill with a paint mixer attachment to stir earth worm castings and water together for an EWC Slurry instead of a tea..... Gotta be awesome for problem plants that need a kick in the pants.
Do not guess with Compost tea inputs unless you're rocking a microscope (I'm not).... there has been plenty or research done for you and it's served up on a silver platter here on icmag and elsewhere.
Compost tea recipe as per our own MicrobeMan
[vermi]compost – 2.38%
unsulphured pure black strap molasses - 0.50% [but you can use a maximum 0.75%]
So for most of us using 5 gallon brewers with 4 gallons of water in them.
4 gallons water.
1.5 cups Vermicompost
1/3 cup molasses
Optional .25% kelp Maximum but this will delay the process.
Optional fish hydrolysate (high quality) - 0.063%
Do not use chemically deodorized liquid fish!
Again... Thank you Microbeman.
Also, I have to share with everyone because it worked so well.... Check out this link to my grow journal, I have linked photos of the castings and a brief detail of the process I used. Anyways, 100 gallon smart pot full of castings in 4-6 months is pretty cool and cheap. Now I'm wondering what took me so long to start making my own?!
EDIT: Don't even think about worrying about the PH of whatever you're doing with worm castings. Also, I know that Von would use a Drill with a paint mixer attachment to stir earth worm castings and water together for an EWC Slurry instead of a tea..... Gotta be awesome for problem plants that need a kick in the pants.
I Second MHG no need to screw with goodness.
A simple slurry will do far more good then drowning you worm castings in under aerated water.
Follow the recipes of the research professionals, they know what is up
If you use worm castings properly (top dress, slurry, Actively Aerated Compost tea) pH means little and is of no concern
Timbuktu
A simple slurry will do far more good then drowning you worm castings in under aerated water.
Follow the recipes of the research professionals, they know what is up
If you use worm castings properly (top dress, slurry, Actively Aerated Compost tea) pH means little and is of no concern
Timbuktu
outdoors in holes and large containers i use castings as an amendment. I also toss a handful into each hole before i plant..then top that with some mykos. I also top dress with castings and use them as a base for my compost tea mix.
If one can afford to use worm castings at 10-20% in all the soil it would be awesome.... but Compost tea is a very good way to make a little go a long way!
KGB~Dragon
Member
Nice MHG I am seriously considering growing worms too!
More Great tips on a great amendment to love your plants with!
I borrowed and gave you some recipe advice from a multitude of sources including ICMag posts, I wish I would have seen MicrobeMans post first but at least it's bumped up now too! The bottom line is Worm Castings are good for your smoke and they will never burn your leaves if you over do it.
I am a big fan of the worm Leachate also when diluted properly.
I get my worm castings for $1.00/LB and here are the nutrients specs the seller gave me -
Nitrogen, lbs/ac - Oven dried 135ppm // Air Dried 120ppm
Phosphorus - Oven Dried +200ppm // Air Dried +200ppm
Potassium - Oven Dried 3731ppm // Air Dried 4140ppm
Sulphur - Oven Dried 38ppm // Air Dried 9ppm
Salt Hazard mmhos - OD 1.6 // AD 1.6
Sodium meq/100 - OD 3.8 // AD 4.5 *this is a higher number
Zinc - OD 1.0ppm // AD .9ppm
Iron - OD 18.8ppm // AD 18.8ppm
Copper - OD 2.3ppm // AD 2.1ppm
ph - OD 7.3 // AD 7.4
Also contains Magnesium, Calcium and Manganese, Cobalt, Borax and Carbon.
More Great tips on a great amendment to love your plants with!
I borrowed and gave you some recipe advice from a multitude of sources including ICMag posts, I wish I would have seen MicrobeMans post first but at least it's bumped up now too! The bottom line is Worm Castings are good for your smoke and they will never burn your leaves if you over do it.
I am a big fan of the worm Leachate also when diluted properly.
I get my worm castings for $1.00/LB and here are the nutrients specs the seller gave me -
Nitrogen, lbs/ac - Oven dried 135ppm // Air Dried 120ppm
Phosphorus - Oven Dried +200ppm // Air Dried +200ppm
Potassium - Oven Dried 3731ppm // Air Dried 4140ppm
Sulphur - Oven Dried 38ppm // Air Dried 9ppm
Salt Hazard mmhos - OD 1.6 // AD 1.6
Sodium meq/100 - OD 3.8 // AD 4.5 *this is a higher number
Zinc - OD 1.0ppm // AD .9ppm
Iron - OD 18.8ppm // AD 18.8ppm
Copper - OD 2.3ppm // AD 2.1ppm
ph - OD 7.3 // AD 7.4
Also contains Magnesium, Calcium and Manganese, Cobalt, Borax and Carbon.
glad to see this thread is still going with great info. keep it up guys, my plants are looking better than ever thanks to you all.
