Worm Tea Question

[Anton]

OK, I am confused. (not hard you say)

I was under the impression that worm tea was the liquid that drains through into the collection section of the worm farm, this is then watered down to be used as the miracle medicine we give our plants.

Yesterday I read a post where (Sorry I can't remember who posted) this person said worm tea was the product of having distilled water passed through the castings ???????

OK, WHICH is correct ? Or, are BOTH correct ????

[flowerchild]

Anton I know that I make a worm tea by soaking worm castings(worm poop by a fancier name) for 24hrs before I spray or water my orchids. This method was most economical for me as they wanted almost $30.00Cdn to order and deliver a 1litre bottle of worm tea. I bought a 4lb. bag of worm castings for only $7.00 and you soak 1part worm poop to 3parts of water for at least 24 hrs.

[chefatplay]

The worm tea Jerry and I is the liquid run off that is reintroduced many times and becomes concentrated. When you receive it, than you dilute it. (Wish we have a worm smilie.)

[Ben Grader]

Flowerchild, do you then dilute your liquid before using it?
What proportion do you make if you do. I have some castings soaking but don't know if it should be used neat or diluted.

[mayres]

I have a friend here where I live that has one of the Our Vital Earth home worm farm "kits" - and as you suggest Anton - there is a spigot on the bottom section where the liquid from all the layers collect - which is used as our "miracle elixer". Jerry has made a point of saying that all worm teas are not created equal. I can see where this would indeed be the case - based on water quality, ingredients used for worm food, additives, etc. How much any particular version helps our plants is difficult to determine without a large number of plants to test over time. My main reason for using it is for its insecticidal properties - which has been not perfect, but fairly good on mealies. Don't know if it is not perfect because I'm not using it concentrated enough or often enough? At any rate it does seem to help. mike

[justloveorchids]

As I have a worm bin of my own it looks like I need to do some controlled experiments using both worm liquid as produced by the worm bin and worm tea as made by steeping the castings

I honestly do not think that the actual dilution factor for the liquid is critical because i do not accurately measure mine i just pour worm liquid into the spray bottle and fill it up with water

I do know that it does not kill fungus gnats ............hence why until i get some mosquito dunks i have stopped misting my orchids which is darn annoying because their growth with misting was incredible

[flowerchild]

Originally Posted by Ben Grader

Flowerchild, do you then dilute your liquid before using it?
What proportion do you make if you do. I have some castings soaking but don't know if it should be used neat or diluted.

No I don't dilute it, I make about 2 litres at a time and just store it in empty juice bottles. I put it in a spray bottle and just mist the top of the bark and leaves when I remember to do it. I have been trying a little experiment, I have been spraying a cattleya and a howeara to see if it does make a big difference well guess what they are coming into bloom. The catt for the first time since I brought it home in march and the howeara for the second time since coming home in may. So obviously there is some truth to worm tea being good for orchids eh? Hope this helps Ben? Let me know if you need any more info k? Cindy aka flowerchild