Vermicompost/vermicompost: how to use correctly (composition, release format, consumption rates, etc.)

Compound

The basis of vermicompost is:

• potassium from 0.7 to 1.2%;
• magnesium from 0.3 to 0.5%
• phosphorus 0.8 to 2%;
• nitrogen from 0.8 to 2%;
• calcium up to 3%.

Unlike mineral fertilizers, these elements are presented in an active water-soluble form.

Among the active components are fulvic and humic acids, which are involved in the processing of photon energy from the sun. The fertilizer also contains strains of nitrogen-fixing bacteria, microbial spores, amino acids, and phytohormones of natural origin.

How to prepare fertilizer at home

Biohumus can be prepared at home. For this you need the worms themselves and compost. In the pit you need to put manure, straw, sawdust, all waste, fallen leaves, food waste, add 5 percent of sand, calculated from the total amount of compost.

After 10 days, add peat and lime to the compost, approximately 2 percent of the total mass. Then throw in a few red worms or ordinary rain worms. If they burrow deep, then the substrate is suitable for them. If not, then you need to try again in a few days.

From 700 to 1500 individuals per 1 square meter should be placed in the rotted substance. m. First, the worms will get used to the new conditions. This will take a month or two. Then they will begin to multiply and process the compost.

In order for them to have something to eat, new compost must be added every 5-10 days. After 4 or 5 months, you can collect the finished vermicompost. Before sampling the fertilizer, the inhabitants of the pit should take a break from feeding, that is, do not add new compost.

Advantages

1. Vermicompost is environmentally friendly.
2. Humic acids are a natural antibiotic that protects seedlings and adult plants from microorganisms.
3. A neutral acidity level is the prevention of plant diseases.
4. A high concentration of beneficial bacteria (2 billion per 1 g) guarantees the neutralization of heavy metals and radionuclides contained in the soil.
5. Vermicompost has a prolonged effect: it is applied once every 3-4 years.
6. Vermicompost contains no pathogenic microorganisms or viable weed seeds.
7. The use of vermicompost allows you to double the ripening of fruits without harm to plants and humans.
8. Adding vermicompost neutralizes weed seeds.
9. The content of E. coli in vermicompost is two times less than in manure.

drawback - the prepared solution quickly loses its beneficial properties. In its undiluted form, vermicompost retains its beneficial qualities throughout its use.

All about fertilizer

In winter, store shelves are full of vegetables, but you don’t want to buy them. Without the powerful use of chemicals, it is impossible to grow and preserve such specimens for a long time.

Nature is wise; it has long developed mechanisms of self-healing and reproduction, natural and logical, not requiring outside intervention. A person only needs to take a closer look, study the laws of nature and use them for his own benefit.

Vermicompost is a natural, highly effective fertilizer produced with the help of earthworms.

By passing soil particles with organic fragments through themselves, the worms secrete a substrate that looks like black soil.

The production of vermicompost is carried out on special “farms”, but for these purposes they use red Californian worms, which differ from ordinary earthworms in their significant fertility and ability to completely process any organic waste.

As a result of this “treatment,” weed seeds lose their viability, and pathogenic microflora are destroyed. The result is an environmentally friendly fertilizer with a high content of macro and microelements necessary for plants.

The advantage of this product is that it is concentrated, so it uses several times less than manure, compost or humus.

Beneficial features

The use of vermicompost as a fertilizer contributes to:

• health improvement, improvement of nutritional value and soil structure;
• accelerated growth, maturation and fruiting of plants;
• increasing the immunity of various crops and their resistance to pests and diseases;
• reducing the amount of nitrates in fruits;
• preventing the accumulation of heavy metals in plants.

This product is indispensable in greenhouses and greenhouses; it is used to enrich depleted soil. Regular application of it to greenhouse soil eliminates the labor-intensive process of replacing the fertile soil layer.

They often resort to replacing the top layer of soil not with the goal of increasing its fertility, but to remove contaminated areas, i.e. as soil disinfection.

Compound

The beneficial effect on soil fertility and plant life occurs due to the composition of vermicompost.

It contains nitrogen, various forms of phosphorus, a lot of potassium, beneficial acids and amino acids, vitamins, growth regulators and phytohormones.

Beware of fakes

Be careful: real vermicompost cannot be cheap - its production on an industrial scale is quite labor-intensive.

In appearance it is a dark mass, crumbly, moist, reminiscent of black soil. It is homogeneous, consists of particles of 1-3 mm, and does not contain the remains of unrotted plants.

If the package contains a mixture of earth and sand, small particles of undecomposed organic matter, you have wasted your money.

Application

Vermicompost is suitable for any plants when grown in open ground. It is applied to the ground when preparing the soil mixture for seedlings, used to soak seeds before sowing, and also used as a regular liquid fertilizer.

The main purpose of vermicompost:

• improvement of agrotechnical qualities of soil;
• increasing the moisture-holding properties of the soil;
• acceleration of seed germination;
• activation of the formation of the root system;
• stimulating productivity;
• maintaining soil pH levels;
• increasing plant immunity;
• activation of the biological mass of plants;
• increased cellular respiration;
• increase in fruit biomass;
• neutralization of nitrates in fruits;
• stimulating flowering.

Vermicompost: purpose and methods of application

Vermicompost is intended to enhance the supply of nutrients to plants, enhance the activity of soil microflora, activate the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins in plants, increase the resistance of plants to temperatures, reduce the intake of radionuclides, heavy metals and pesticides into plants, enhance the growth and development of plants, accelerate ripening , increasing the yield and improving its quality.

Methods of using vermicompost:

1. Vermicompost is a stimulant for soaking seeds for better germination.
2. Vermicompost is an excellent component of nutritious soil for seedlings of vegetable and flower crops, as well as indoor flowers for their growth and development.
3. Biohumus is an additive to the holes when planting seedlings in the ground, and when planting/transplanting seedlings of fruit and berry plants for their rapid adaptation.
4. Vermicompost is feeding plants and improving soil health (open or protected), saturating it with organic matter and beneficial components.

Vermicompost is ideal for large plants and crops that require neutral acidity. But there are a number of nuances that you should know. For example, not all plants are responsive to the addition of vermicompost - sunflower, mustard, rapeseed, peas, soybeans, etc.

Form

In gardening stores, vermicompost fertilizer can be purchased in three forms:

• liquid;
• pasty;
• dry.

Liquid vermicompost for seedlings

The liquid form is a concentrate and is considered the most economical in terms of financial costs. The second name for liquid vermicompost tea is vermicompost tea. Liquid and paste forms are suitable for feeding garden plantings, as well as for indoor plants.

Important! Before using liquid vermicompost for seedlings, the solution must be kept warm for at least 4 hours!

Dry vermicompost

The dry form is granules that resemble regular soil in appearance. Sold in bags of various packaging. The dry form is used when preparing the soil for planting during the process of digging up the ground.

Vermicompost: how it is obtained and release format

Vermicompost is a natural organic fertilizer produced by processing organic waste from crop and livestock farming by earthworm populations. Currently, special types of “domestic” earthworms have been bred from “wild” earthworms, which work on special farms producing vermicompost for its artificial cultivation (production). Currently, one of the most common is the specially bred Californian worm Lumbricus rubellus (another name is the Little Red Crawl).

Vermicompost production

Vermicompost is produced in TWO formats:

a) DRY or FERMENTED - this is the main product of production, free-flowing, friable, fatty, black-brown in color.

b) LIQUID – this is an extract from dry vermicompost, available in the form of a liquid, gel or paste, also black-brown in color.

In terms of usefulness, these two formats have no fundamental difference. In terms of its effect on the soil structure, there is one difference: dry vermicompost increases the looseness of the soil (making it air- and moisture-permeable), while liquid vermicompost does not have any effect on the soil structure.

On store shelves you can see vermicompost divided by purpose - universal vermicompost, or vermicompost for specific plants (for example, vermicompost for tomatoes, vermicompost for flowers, etc.). This applies more to liquid vermicompost. But this division is very arbitrary; it is more of a marketing ploy to confuse the buyer and increase sales.

But the manufacturer matters. It is important that this is a PROVEN MANUFACTURER that produces QUALITY products. For example, IP Tkachenko, his products are one of the best in Russia.

Vermicompost IP Tkachenko - product line

Crop susceptibility

Vermicompost is considered the main fertilizer for gardening work. Moreover, the susceptibility of crops to it depends on the type of plant.

Highly responsive plants (60-70%):

• all root vegetables;
• plants of the Solanaceae family;
• pumpkin crops;
• cereals;
• fruit trees.

Plants of medium and low level of susceptibility (20-30%):

• legumes;
• Maslenitsa

What is it and why is it needed

What is vermicompost? This is loose, fertile soil that worms process during their life.

In other words, vermicompost is an organic, environmentally friendly fertilizer that is obtained after worms process any organic waste that can rot. This biological product is absolutely harmless to people, animals and the environment, since it is free of chemicals.

In the garden, on the paths, in the beds between the rows, you can often see small piles of soil, which are called coprolites. It is earthworms that create heaps due to their vital activity.

They pass through themselves soil, manure, compost, which people use to fertilize their beds, creating coprolites from all this. At the same time, the worms consume all organic residues, releasing nutritious processed soil that is more accessible for plant growth.

In their pure form, plants will not be able to absorb manure, compost, grass residues, and roots. From organic, even the most accessible fertilizers, they can only absorb useful substances in the form of humus. And beneficial microorganisms and earthworms participate in its formation.

The environment of coprolites is filled with enzymes, acids, microorganisms, even natural antibiotics. All substances benefit plants, strengthen their immunity, and make them more resistant to diseases.

Some gardeners collect coprolites, then infuse them in water, pouring them over seedlings or indoor flowers.

Terms of use

The dry form of fertilizer is applied to the soil while preparing the land for gardening. The norm is 1:2 (vermicompost:soil). Dry fertilizer can be used in its pure form for planting seedlings.

At the stage of preparing seeds for sowing, they are soaked in a solution of vermicompost at a rate of 1:20 (fertilizer:water). Soaking time depends on the crop:

• onions and potatoes – 30-40 minutes;
• carrots – up to 2 hours;
• legumes – up to 6 hours;
• radishes and greens – up to 12 hours;
• cucumbers – 12 hours;
• most vegetables – up to 24 hours:
• melons – up to 24 hours.

After the emergence of seedlings at the formation stage, 3-4 pairs of true leaves begin feeding the seedlings. The interval between feedings should be at least 2 weeks. Calculation – 5 ml of vermicompost per 1 liter of water.

During picking, it is recommended to use a dry form of fertilizer. As a standard, take 1-2 handfuls of vermicompost for each cup (comb).

Tomatoes require more fertilizer than other crops . When transferring seedlings to planting holes, add 0.5 kg of vermicompost to the bottom. As a percentage, vermicompost should be 20% of the total volume of soil in the planting hole.

Cucumbers are also planted in a layer of worm compost up to 2-3 cm thick. Liquid vermicompost is diluted in a ratio of 1:50. Beds with cucumbers can be mulched with dry vermicompost (layer up to 2 cm). Cabbage and sweet pepper seedlings do not require such thorough preparation, so vermicompost is added only at the soil preparation stage.

When planting potatoes , take 200 g of dry fertilizer per hole. When preparing the land for sowing winter crops, the top layer of soil is also mixed with vermicompost at the rate of 700 g of fertilizer per square meter of land.

For foliar spraying, the fertilizer is diluted in a ratio of 1:200. Spraying is carried out once every two weeks at the stage of growing green mass.

Using vermicompost indoors

When growing seedlings indoors, only liquid form of fertilizer is used. Organic matter in the form of granules is a breeding ground for the development of midges. If it is impossible to use liquid fertilizers, an extract (vermicompost tea) is made from dry mixtures at the rate of 1 cup of dry mixture per 5 liters of water. The composition is infused for 24 hours.

Content

• Vermicompost: general definitions
• Vermicompost: purpose and methods of application
• Composition of vermicompost (vermicompost)
• Vermicompost: how it is obtained and release format
• How to use vermicompost
• a) Use of dry vermicompost
• b) Application of liquid vermicompost
• c) Application of vermicompost for individual plants
• About the safety of vermicompost
• Interesting fact: THE LARGEST BUYER OF VERBIHUMUS
• As a conclusion

Vermicompost increases the germination of seeds, activates the growth and development of plants, stimulates fruiting, saturates the soil with organic matter with a large set of microelements in a form accessible to plants, etc.

In this material we will summarize all the information related to the purpose and use of vermicompost. Let's consider not only its beneficial properties, but also its composition, features and standards of use, release format, etc.

Price and storage conditions

A liquid concentrate is produced to care for seedlings. The average cost of one 250 ml bottle is 80 rubles. The price depends on the concentration of active components. When purchasing fertilizers, choose formulations designed for a specific type of vegetable crop.

The concentrate is stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. After freezing, vermicompost does not lose its properties. Maximum storage time is 1.5 years. After the expiration date, the digestibility of substances decreases.

Interesting fact: THE LARGEST BUYER OF VERBIHUMUS

Such a buyer turned out to be Saudi Arabia, which announced the preparation of contracts for the purchase of vermicompost in the amount of about 5 billion bags of vermicompost per year!!! ...that's tens of millions of tons per year over the next ten years. It was officially announced on March 27, 2021 that as part of the large-scale “green” initiative of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud, to combat global climate change, Saudi Arabia plans to plant 10 billion trees in the coming decades. The goals are to green the desert, reduce carbon emissions, and overcome pollution and degradation of land resources. At the same time, the Crown Prince intends to launch a “green Middle East” program, which involves planting 40 billion trees throughout the region.

Thus, if the plan is to plant 50 billion trees in the next decade, that's 5 billion trees every year. Each tree is one bag of vermicompost (about 15-30 kg). In terms of commercial vermicompost, this will amount to about 75 million tons per year. All this will seriously increase the demand for vermicompost by hundreds of millions of tons in the coming years.

There is no doubt that these initiatives will be implemented. There is nothing to replace vermicompost in the desert. They refuse chemistry. International conventions and national legislations of countries prohibit the export of topsoil. A mature date palm seedling can cost $1,000, so spending $25 on vermicompost and providing it with starter nutrition is at least sustainable. The price of high-quality vermicompost for a bag weighing 15 kg (25 liters) can reach 25 US dollars. Russia had experience in selling vermicompost; we sold it wholesale in Jordan for $1.6 per 1 kg. Potential exports of vermicompost to the Middle East could reach $125 billion per year. Russia, it is advisable not to miss this chance...

Buy BIOHUMUS (liquid, dry) at a GREAT PRICE on Yandex.Market

Checking vermicompost

Dry vermicompost should contain coprolite granules that remain dense and do not crumble after physical impact.

Vermicompost, unlike peat mixture, quickly settles to the bottom of a container of water. You can roll a small ball from dry vermicompost. This cannot be done from ordinary soil.

Precautionary measures

The fertilizer is stored in a dry, dark place for up to one and a half years, counting from the production date indicated on the packaging.

It does not pose a danger to humans or animals, but when working with it you must follow the simplest rules:

• work with gloves;
• after use, wash your hands thoroughly with soap;
• In case of contact with skin or eyes, rinse with plenty of water;
• In case of accidental ingestion, rinse the stomach with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Reviews and recommendations

Gardeners who constantly use liquid vermicompost note:

1. The water extract helps protect plants from diseases (especially those vegetables that grow in greenhouse conditions).
2. Its use leads to an active reduction in the possibility of ascochyta blight, rot and powdery mildew.
3. Improving the quality of grown vegetables, which is achieved through regular use of the substance.
4. Improving the vitamin composition of grown products.
5. Reducing the level of nitrates in vegetables, herbs and fruits.

Liquid vermicompost helps not only improve the productivity of planted plants, but also grow high-quality, tasty and healthy products!