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-   -   Earth Worm Castings (http://www.bananas.org/f312/earth-worm-castings-13444.html)

Willow87 03-24-2011 05:48 PM

Earth Worm Castings
 
I was wondering if earth worm castings are safe to use on cuttings that dont have roots?

Jack Daw 03-24-2011 07:54 PM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow87 (Post 157547)
I was wondering if earth worm castings are safe to use on cuttings that dont have roots?

Sure they are. You can't overfertilize with worm castings and they are ideal nutrient-wise.

Willow87 03-24-2011 07:56 PM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Thanks so much Jack. I think I'm going to buy some to put around my cuttings to see if that helps them root

Worm_Farmer 03-25-2011 07:39 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Yes, Worm castings do not burn plants.

But, too much castings will make you soil muddy and wet.

Willow87 03-25-2011 07:42 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Ok So ill just put a little around the plants? I'm trying to get them to root faster, and I've used earth worm castings before with good results

Jack Daw 03-25-2011 08:47 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow87 (Post 157563)
Thanks so much Jack. I think I'm going to buy some to put around my cuttings to see if that helps them root

I haven't heard about castings having some significant rooting capabilities, but once the plants start rooting, they will get all the nutrients in just right amounts to survive. :)
And Worm_Farmer is correct, careful about watering, because worm castings hold water much better than anything else comparable to them.

Willow87 03-25-2011 09:54 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Thanks Jack. I got some today and put it around other plants too. I think some of the cuttings have little roots on them.

Worm_Farmer 03-25-2011 10:35 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
I like to mix my castings into my potting soil mixes and add lots of perlite. My larger potted plants I will put around the top of the pot and water in. In ground plants I spread it around the root base water in, add mulch and more water. Make sure to put the castings under a layer of mulch for all in ground plants.

I personall put a shove or two of castings around each banana plant then add a large laywer of mulch. I do this 2 - 3 times a year.

Edit: Just wondering, how much did you pay for your castings? And how much did you get?

Willow87 03-25-2011 10:38 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
I mixed a little bit of the castings in the top few cm of the soil for my potted plants. i just threw the rest of it around my in ground plants. I hope thats good?
I got a 5 lb bag for $10 Its kind of expensive for me but I heard so many good things about it.

Worm_Farmer 03-25-2011 10:46 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow87 (Post 157599)
I mixed a little bit of the castings in the top few cm of the soil for my potted plants. i just threw the rest of it around my in ground plants. I hope thats good?
I got a 5 lb bag for $10 Its kind of expensive for me but I heard so many good things about it.

That will work, just try to cover it with mulch, maure, leafs, anything oraganic. There is a reason for this, if I remember right now the sun will dry it out kill the microorganisms in the castings. Also the microorganisms will grow and spread once applied. Because I only screen my castings once I do went up with a good amount of baby worms in my yard, which cants do anything but good. :)

Thats right on par at $2 a lb, I sell mine for the same price around town and usually throw some free castings when people buy plants or pups from me.

Willow87 03-25-2011 10:50 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Ok so the pots with the cuttings in it i need to mulch those to keep the microorganisms alive? Wow thats nice that you give free castings with your plants. I only had a couple of bananas survive, only the ornamental ones unfortunately

Worm_Farmer 03-25-2011 11:18 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Mulch will never hurt. On my potted plants I dont use mulch because the leafs usually provide all the shade it needs(IMO).

Willow87 03-25-2011 11:19 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Oh ok. I have the dragon fruit in mostly shade right now. They get a little morning sun

Jack Daw 03-25-2011 02:50 PM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Worm_Farmer (Post 157598)
Edit: Just wondering, how much did you pay for your castings? And how much did you get?

I have my own worms. ;)

:08:

Cecil 03-26-2011 07:25 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow87 (Post 157606)
Oh ok. I have the dragon fruit in mostly shade right now. They get a little morning sun

Hi Cameron

What this? Talking dragon fruit on a banana thread, don't get me wrong i love my bananas and i have quite a lot growing and now some in flower.

I an currently trying to establish a dragon fruit plantation and wondering if many other members share our interest.

A task i have taken on at the present time, is testing the results of a product called Bd Max a Herbal Activator,witch is designed to prevent the damage caused by cold frosting on plants. So i am testing it on my dragon fruit, as it can get pretty cold where i live in Australia.

What colour flesh do your dragon fruit have?So far i only have white red and yellow.

Thanks Cameron

Cheers Cecil

Cecil 03-26-2011 07:34 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Willow87 (Post 157606)
Oh ok. I have the dragon fruit in mostly shade right now. They get a little morning sun

Hi Willow 78
What's this talking about bloomin dragon fruit on a banana show.

That is how i got involved to start with,not that i don't like bananas i love them and i have quite a few growing and now flowering.

Wondering if there are many other folks with any interest in dragon fruit like us pair. Must mention i live in Australia and i am trying to grow quite a few dragon fruit, hoping to make a few bob out of them one day.

Where i live it gets pretty cold in winter, so i am currently experimenting with a product called Bd Max or Thermo Max witch is designed to protect plants from frosting so we will have to see

sunfish 03-26-2011 08:03 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil (Post 157721)
Hi Willow 78
What's this talking about bloomin dragon fruit on a banana show.

That is how i got involved to start with,not that i don't like bananas i love them and i have quite a few growing and now flowering.

Wondering if there are many other folks with any interest in dragon fruit like us pair. Must mention i live in Australia and i am trying to grow quite a few dragon fruit, hoping to make a few bob out of them one day.

Where i live it gets pretty cold in winter, so i am currently experimenting with a product called Bd Max or Thermo Max witch is designed to protect plants from frosting so we will have to see

http://www.bananas.org/f13/dragon-fr...html#post40362

http://www.bananas.org/f8/dragon-fru...html#post86334

Jack Daw 03-26-2011 08:22 AM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Cecil (Post 157721)
...Where i live it gets pretty cold in winter, ...

Honey, there's no place in Australia that can actually be classified as pretty cold in winter. :ha:

Willow87 03-26-2011 02:41 PM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
Hi Cecil. I just started growing dragon fruit(cuttings) I have American Beauty and Natural Mystic. I think they are the pink flesh variety. I'm looking for the yellow variety now.

Lagniappe 03-26-2011 11:51 PM

Re: Earth Worm Castings
 
I start seeds in pure castings. they seem to drain very well, but I've never attempted to start cuttings with them. With Pitaya cuttings, however, I started mine in damp compost so castings should be fine.


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