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Richard · 05-17-2011, 03:40 PM

Worm Castings have two categories of use in horticulture:

Soil Conditioner. (a) to inoculate a soil mix destined for pots or planter beds. You really don't need more than a cup per cubic foot. (b) Applied 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick on the soil surface of a planter bed or orchard, under a 3 to 5 inch thick layer of mulch (1/2 to 1 inch diameter variety). If the surface of the ground freezes during your winter, then apply once per year in the spring - or at least every other year. If the ground does not freeze during your winter, then every 5 to 7 years is sufficient provided you maintain a thick layer of mulch.
Fertilizer. Well, its better than no fertilizer at all, but it is not a very economical choice in terms of volume, labor, or cost. Mainly worm casting are an unbalanced source of micronutrients -- which cause the "greenup" you see after application. (a) When worm castings are moist (not soggy or dry) then the levels of major nutrients is about 1/4 to 1/2 % each. You'll need about 25 pounds of worm castings per plant per year to deliver a significant impact of major nutrients on the fruiting banana plant, and about 300 lbs / plant / year to reach the plants' capacity. (b) Worm tea contains less micronutrients and less total nutrients than the castings. If you are going to make it then it should be over night and it should never be in a warm container more than 30 minutes because the nitrogen will leave. After 18 hours the beneficial micro-organisms in the tea will be dead. Foliar application (spraying on leaves) is not recommended for many parts of the world because the solution provides an environment for mildew and other fungi to grow.

05-17-2011, 03:40 PM	#28 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 850,029 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,537 Times in 4,719 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Earth Worm Castings Worm Castings have two categories of use in horticulture: Soil Conditioner. (a) to inoculate a soil mix destined for pots or planter beds. You really don't need more than a cup per cubic foot. (b) Applied 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick on the soil surface of a planter bed or orchard, under a 3 to 5 inch thick layer of mulch (1/2 to 1 inch diameter variety). If the surface of the ground freezes during your winter, then apply once per year in the spring - or at least every other year. If the ground does not freeze during your winter, then every 5 to 7 years is sufficient provided you maintain a thick layer of mulch. Fertilizer. Well, its better than no fertilizer at all, but it is not a very economical choice in terms of volume, labor, or cost. Mainly worm casting are an unbalanced source of micronutrients -- which cause the "greenup" you see after application. (a) When worm castings are moist (not soggy or dry) then the levels of major nutrients is about 1/4 to 1/2 % each. You'll need about 25 pounds of worm castings per plant per year to deliver a significant impact of major nutrients on the fruiting banana plant, and about 300 lbs / plant / year to reach the plants' capacity. (b) Worm tea contains less micronutrients and less total nutrients than the castings. If you are going to make it then it should be over night and it should never be in a warm container more than 30 minutes because the nitrogen will leave. After 18 hours the beneficial micro-organisms in the tea will be dead. Foliar application (spraying on leaves) is not recommended for many parts of the world because the solution provides an environment for mildew and other fungi to grow. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com