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Worm castings or worm compost offers many benefits to our plantations. Even though many different prepared products already exist, this natural fertiliser is very easy to use. In order to start with composting with boi or small amounts of worms, you have to follow simple but necessary steps to learn how to make earthworm humus.
Worm castings: everything you need to know
Worm humus is a high quality organic and ecological fertiliser. Like all natural ones, it has no added chemical components and can be used in organic gardens and crops.
Worm compost refers to organic matter from the digested soil which returns to the decomposed soil, giving rise to a beneficial new composition. It is possible to find it in forest soils by a completely natural process. However, it can be purchased or produced at home if you have worms.
Worm castings offers a spongy texture for better aeration of the soil and has a great capacity to retain water, without waterlogging the substrate. Due to its composition based on earthworm excrement, it has a high nutrient content, providing microbial flora, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus.
It also provides a large quantity of micro-organisms that are favourables for plants and protect harmful fungi and bacteria. It stands out for its easy assimilation by plants thanks to its fulvic acid content, stimulating root growth.
Benefits of worm castings
Among the many advantageous properties of this type of fertilisers are:
- A large supply of nutrients (especially nitrogen) to the substrate.
- Better aeration and water retention.
- Increased seed germination capacity.
- Increased microbial flora.
- Stimulation of plant development.
- Improved crop production and fruit size.
- Prevents pests.
- Use of organic waste from home that usually goes to the rubbish, protecting the environment.
Which worm castings can be used for composting?
There are many types of earthworms, but not all of them work well for composting. Among them is the Californian red earthworm, which has proven to be the most productive because of its reproductive capacity, as well as its daily composting capacity.
This variety is capable of reproducing up to 3.5 times a day, with each worm producing an amount of humus equal to its weight. It is also very long-lived, living up to 4 years, and with any diseases.
How to prepare worm humus step by step
In order to prepare this compost, use a vermicomposter, either purchased or handmade, where organic waste transforms into worm humus. When starting with this task, you should use a core of about 1000 worms. The steps for making worm castings are detailed below:
- Once you have the right material, you have to find the most appropriate place. To do this, place the vermicomposter in a shady corner, protected from wind and rain. In order for the worms to live comfortably create an environment with 70% humidity. Normally, the humidity provided by the food is sufficient. The ideal temperature range is between 15 and 25ºC .
- On the one hand, if the material crumbles easily, i’t importante to water spsaringly as it means there is a lack of water. On the other hand, if the material is squeezed and liquid comes out, it is a sign of excess humidity, for which dry debris or cardboard should be provided.
- Prepare the site. The first layer must contain coconut fibre or peat. Whichever material you choose, moisten it before. The base should be three fingers deep.
- Then add he worms to the first layer and cover the container. Allow a day’s time for them to get used to their new habitat before adding the composted material.
- Add the material. This can be vegetable waste, peelings, dried leaves, coffee grounds or eggshells. Never use meat, fish or food cooked with oils. Add material little by little, increasing the amount as the worm population increases.
- Keep in mind that each time you add material, a layer of the base substrate should be too.
- Leave worm working for approximately 6-8 weeks, depending on the number of worms you have. The compost will fall into the tray at the bottom of the composter, its dark colour, similar to soil.
- Finally, harvest it when the material is similar to soil and has a homogeneous shape. If there are many earthworms in the humus, it is advisable to put them in the sun, as they hate direct light and will go to the bottom of the tray, making harvesting easier.
Ways to use worm castings in plants
To apply it, simply mix the solid humus with the substrate before planting. If it is already planted, apply a thin layer on or around the soil. In the case of liquid humus, mix it with water and the right fertiliser dose according to the type of plant.
This organic cannabis fertiliser offers several benefits to crops, so it is necessary to know how to make quality worm castings, which will allow better rooting and growth of cannabis plants. By ensuring a more powerful and healthy development, the yields obtained by them will also rise.
