Comments on: Mark’s OSCR Videos – Part I http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:46:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Paula Allen http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-28448 Paula Allen Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:16:49 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-28448 Mark I like your style of explaining your system. I did place an avocodo in some finished non worm compost weeks ago. Put the quart size carton in the basement window forgot all about it. Watched your video and ran down to check. It had sprouted. So I put it in my worm bin. Maybe if it grows some more I will trans plant it into a 5 gallon bucket. I don't like avocodos and neither does my husband but I will see if it grows anyway. Find some one that loves avocodo's and give it to them. Will you be using your VC in gardens. I sure hope you post videos of how your garden grows if so. Mark I like your style of explaining your system. I did place an avocodo in some finished non worm compost weeks ago. Put the quart size carton in the basement window forgot all about it. Watched your video and ran down to check. It had sprouted. So I put it in my worm bin. Maybe if it grows some more I will trans plant it into a 5 gallon bucket. I don’t like avocodos and neither does my husband but I will see if it grows anyway. Find some one that loves avocodo’s and give it to them.
Will you be using your VC in gardens. I sure hope you post videos of how your garden grows if so.

]]> By: Mark from Kansas http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-26161 Mark from Kansas Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:51:51 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-26161 Hi James, I think you are correct. Those fluctuations of temps were a part of the set up phase of this bin and the learning curve. I am happy to report that this type of bin is my personal choice when it comes to vermicomposting. Mark Hi James,
I think you are correct. Those fluctuations of temps were a part of the set up phase of this bin and the learning curve. I am happy to report that this type of bin is my personal choice when it comes to vermicomposting.
Mark

]]> By: James http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-26141 James Sun, 18 Jul 2010 05:15:08 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-26141 I am wondering if the reason the bin first went up to 90 when the fan went on could have from increased oxygen and thus more activity for the aerobic bacteria inside of the box. I am wondering if the reason the bin first went up to 90 when the fan went on could have from increased oxygen and thus more activity for the aerobic bacteria inside of the box.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-23007 Andrew Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:52:11 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-23007 No apologies needed, Bentley. You didn't forget anything. We only talked about the "compost ecosystem". I didn't mention Berkeley or Vermitopias before. If I were writing as much as you, I'd be going crazy. It's good you've got Mark to help out a bit. Excellent work! No apologies needed, Bentley. You didn’t forget anything. We only talked about the “compost ecosystem”. I didn’t mention Berkeley or Vermitopias before. If I were writing as much as you, I’d be going crazy. It’s good you’ve got Mark to help out a bit. Excellent work!

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-22998 Bentley Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:13:09 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-22998 Thanks for the info, Andrew - and apologies for not remembering our earlier conversation about this (so many vermi-things floating around in my head its tough to keep everything straight - haha). I'd be interested to get your thoughts on the Vermitopias if you do happen to make it out there for a visit. 8) Thanks for the info, Andrew – and apologies for not remembering our earlier conversation about this (so many vermi-things floating around in my head its tough to keep everything straight – haha).

I’d be interested to get your thoughts on the Vermitopias if you do happen to make it out there for a visit.
8)

]]> By: Andrew http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-22997 Andrew Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:50:49 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-22997 Bentley, the Berkeley group has morphed a bit since they built the Vermitopias, but they are definitely still composting with worms. They are now called Bay Worms and are where I bought my worms in the "compost ecosystem". We had talked about this in one of your earlier blog posts. I didn't think to ask to see the Vermitopias. If you go the 2nd link below you can read that they've upgraded the design to use metal frames. I'll ask to see the Vermitopias when I visit them again. I'd promised them milkweed seedlings to attract Monarch butterflies to their community garden, so I'll stop by the next time I'm in the area. Here are links to the current group: http://www.bayworms.org/aboutus.htm http://www.bayworms.org/methods.htm Bentley, the Berkeley group has morphed a bit since they built the Vermitopias, but they are definitely still composting with worms. They are now called Bay Worms and are where I bought my worms in the “compost ecosystem”. We had talked about this in one of your earlier blog posts. I didn’t think to ask to see the Vermitopias. If you go the 2nd link below you can read that they’ve upgraded the design to use metal frames.

I’ll ask to see the Vermitopias when I visit them again. I’d promised them milkweed seedlings to attract Monarch butterflies to their community garden, so I’ll stop by the next time I’m in the area.

Here are links to the current group:
http://www.bayworms.org/aboutus.htm
http://www.bayworms.org/methods.htm

]]> By: Bentley http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-22994 Bentley Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:52:30 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-22994 ANDREW - your mention of being from Berkeley reminded me of one of my earliest introductions to the OSCR bin. There is a really cool article in one of the older editions of 'Worm Digest' - I believe it was actually called "Berkeley Worms". It discussed a really cool vermicomposting project that some students at Berkeley set up. What's great is that it looks like they are still at it - check out the website (I've linked to the page showing the OSCRs - which they have referred to as 'Vermitopias'): http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~compost/methods.html 8) ANDREW – your mention of being from Berkeley reminded me of one of my earliest introductions to the OSCR bin. There is a really cool article in one of the older editions of ‘Worm Digest’ – I believe it was actually called “Berkeley Worms”. It discussed a really cool vermicomposting project that some students at Berkeley set up. What’s great is that it looks like they are still at it – check out the website (I’ve linked to the page showing the OSCRs – which they have referred to as ‘Vermitopias’):

http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~compost/methods.html

8)

]]> By: Andrew http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-22986 Andrew Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:29:19 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-22986 Mark, I did not realize it was that much of a weight reduction. I'm slowly reading "Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture'' By Glenn Munroe and found this: "In general, outputs from vermicomposting processes can vary from about 10% to closer to 50% of the original weight of the inputs. This will vary with the nature of the inputs and the system used. The greater the proportion of high-C inputs to high-N inputs, the greater will be the weight of final output as a proportion of input weight." It sounds like you could adjust the food stock depending on whether your goal is to maximize "trash" reduction or to maximize vermicompost production. I think I'll just throw in what I have and take what comes out...at least for now. I actually prefer more VC, but won't try any complicated manipulation of food stock in order to achieve that goal. Mark,
I did not realize it was that much of a weight reduction. I’m slowly reading “Manual of On-Farm Vermicomposting and Vermiculture” By Glenn Munroe and found this:

“In general, outputs from vermicomposting processes can vary from about 10% to closer to 50% of the original weight of the inputs. This will vary with the nature of the inputs and the system used. The greater the proportion of high-C inputs to high-N inputs, the greater will be the weight of final output as a proportion of input weight.”

It sounds like you could adjust the food stock depending on whether your goal is to maximize “trash” reduction or to maximize vermicompost production. I think I’ll just throw in what I have and take what comes out…at least for now. I actually prefer more VC, but won’t try any complicated manipulation of food stock in order to achieve that goal.

]]> By: Mark from Kansas http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-22985 Mark from Kansas Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:13:11 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-22985 Andrew, Yes that is correct. One of the goals of this bin is to reduce the "trash" by 90%. The worms will hopefully process all but 10% of the organic waste. Andrew,
Yes that is correct. One of the goals of this bin is to reduce the “trash” by 90%. The worms will hopefully process all but 10% of the organic waste.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.redwormcomposting.com/worm-bins/marks-oscr-videos-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-22984 Andrew Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:05:10 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=1536#comment-22984 Yes, the working area - all the material above the cables/grating. So that stays at 16" depth even though you've put in all the food & additional bedding? Similar to my small flow through. It's like a magic trick where you keep pouring something into a cup and it never overflows. Obviously in the case of the worm bins the material compresses as the worms work their magic, but it's still interesting to observe. I mean in your case it's hundreds of pounds! Yes, the working area – all the material above the cables/grating. So that stays at 16″ depth even though you’ve put in all the food & additional bedding? Similar to my small flow through. It’s like a magic trick where you keep pouring something into a cup and it never overflows. Obviously in the case of the worm bins the material compresses as the worms work their magic, but it’s still interesting to observe. I mean in your case it’s hundreds of pounds!

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