Making Microbes - Part II
A couple weeks ago I wrote a post about brewing your own microbial soup as a food source for your worms. As mentioned, it is relatively easy to breed your own population of assorted microorganisms simply by adding organic matter to a bucket of water then providing some aeration.
Shortly after writing that post I actually learned the hard way that using smelly (anaerobic) liquid is generally NOT a good idea, as it can contain bi-products (like alcohol) that are harmful or even fatal for your worms. Luckily my mistake didn’t cost me too dearly (only a few dead worms), but it was definitely a valuable learning experience.
Anyway, I’ve decided to make some more microbe water - properly this time - so I can test it out and see what the worms think of it. I’ve added a handful of grass clippings to a bucket of rain water, along with an air stone (connected via tubing to an aquarium air pump). Within a few days I should have myself a yummy concoction.
As mentioned in my previous (microbe water) post, I want to soak cardboard with this liquid and add it to one of my worm bins, along with some cardboard that has been soaking in plain water. It will be interesting to see if there is a major difference in worm colonization rates.
Should be fun!
Technorati Tags: microbes, microorganisms, microbial, protozoans, worm food, worm bin, worm composting, vermicomposting
Share This
Written by Bentley on August 5th, 2008 with
2 comments.
Read more articles on Home Vermicomposting.
Bentley
#1. August 5th, 2008, at 7:23 PM.
Hey Bentley,
When I make vermicompost tea, I throw the castings back into the bin. The worms seem to love them as almost immediately they show up.
I am guessing the microbes are enhanced by the molasses in the tea. Anyway, maybe a good solution is simply to put some vermi tea in your bin instead of waiting until the microbes colonize in the organic material. Or, put some vermicompost in the bucket when you add the organic material.