Ultimate NOOB Question: Worm Tea?

[Orchidementia]

I keep reading references to Worm Tea on this forum, but I'm probably staring right at the post that explains what it is and not seeing it. Could someone point me in the right direction please? Thanks!

[patticake]

Worm tea is an extract(so-to speak) from worms excrement. I first thought- how expensive!- Until I bought a bottle and found out that you dilute it quite a bit! It is great stuff! I mix it in with tap water that I've left out for a couple of days, to make sure the chlorine has dissipated from it. The orchids love it.

[patlee]

Jerry Meola has quite a few posts on worm tea and its benefits. He does a much better job of explaining it than I ever could. Do a forum search (upper right hand corner of the first screen) on either his posts or "worm tea". You won't be sorry you investigated this liquid miracle!!

[Martine]

Cool! I'll check that out, too!

[fred]

just for those who are new to the forum have a look at our section called Orchid Data Information For Newbies.
http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/orc...n-for-newbies/
a lot of info is in that section that will help you all

[arleneg]

Orchidmentia,

First of all, welcome to the forum. I hope you're enjoying your visit here.

Worm tea is good stuff. I use it on all my orchids and hydrangea.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by patticake

I first thought- how expensive!- Until I bought a bottle and found out that you dilute it quite a bit!

According to the website a $50 1 gallon bottle makes up 50 gallons. I don't have a particularly large collection but I'd still go through that much fertiliser in less than two months. How do those with large collections use this fertiliser without breaking the bank?

[arleneg]

Andrew,

I have 100+ orchids. My $40 one gallon of worm tea lasts between 3-4 months during spring and summer months.

[patticake]

I don't use it every time I water... Just as a little snack once a week or so.

[tom499]

I believe you can make your own supply, I've just never got round to doing it, but its basically a compost heap, only you collect the liquid run off which usually goes straight into the soil.

[cym 1972]

i have over 50 cymbidium orchids and use worm liquid all the time.and its all free have a worm farm also use it on all the fruit trees and veges fantastic stuff

[Andrew]

To clarify, I only have around 400 pots/mounts. About half of these are temperate terrestrials which aren't fertilised. For the rest, I fertilise weekly in summer and fortnightly-monthly in winter (depending on water rquirements). I'm curious how people with large collections (in the order of 1000's) use worm tea to make it economical. Do they cut down on the applied volume by using it as a foliar spray? Maybe Jerry could chime in on this one.