What is worm tea?

Question

I have heard that worm tea is good for orchids. How can I make them? What are the advantages and distadvantages of using it.

Answer 1

"Worm" tea is made by straining water through vermicompost (worm castings). When prepared properly, it should be virtually odorless and is great to put in soil and potted plants.

It is brewed using vermicompost and other organic materials such as molasses, sea kelp and other componds to which water is then added. A pump with special nozzles is then used to oxygenate the mixture over an 18-24 hour period. The microbes (the good guys) are increased exponentially adn the mixture, with a shelf life of just 15 hours, can be sprayed on lawns, flowers, and trees safely.

Evidence shows that it will cure tomato blight and leaf curl on fruit trees. I can also replace conventional fertilizers on any yard.

The nutritous elemesnt and microorganisms of the castings (worms) are captured in this concentrated liquid form. When you put it on your plants and in the garden, you put healthy microorganisms back into the soil where they thrive and multiply, which creates a much healthier growing environment for your plants.

You can buy worm tea here: http://www.ourvitalearth.com/worm-tea.htm

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Worm tea is "brewed" by placing a portion of vermicompost (worm castings) in a bucket of water, and aerating it. The tea should be used as soon as possible from when the aeration is stopped.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/verm/msg1220485313727.html

Directions for making worm tea:
Fill 5 gal bucket with soft water.
Fill mesh or cloth bag with worm compost.
Tie bag with string & place in the bucket.
Turn on the aquarium bubbler placed in the bucket.
Make sure the bubbler & bag is underwater, & the water is bubbling vigourously.
Cover & "brew" for 24 hours
To boost organisms, add 1 Tablespoon of molasses after 12-16 hours from the start of brewing
After 24 hours ...remove the bubbler & bag...
You've made worm tea!
To use...Dilute with water 2:1 & use it immediately or as soon as you can
Don't store worm tea with the lid on or it may blow the lid off.
Worm tea is used as a fertilizer & sprayed on leaves of plants or poured on the soil.
http://www.wormmainea.com/Compost_tea.pdf

Advantages:
Provides many nutrients, minerals, beneficial microbes and bacteria essential for healthy soil.
Inoculates soil against fungi that causes black spot
Worm tea is richer in nitrogen, phosphate, calcium, magnesium and potash then the upper 6 inches of top soil.
Increases plant size and yield.
It's a natural repellent for aphids, spider mites, scale and white flies.
Worm tea can be used for seed germination:
The organisms in worm tea produce hormones, vitamins, nutrients, enzymes, amino acids and minerals needed by seedling cuttings and young plants
It's a low -cost fertilizer
Reduces the cost of gardening in the long run because the long-depleted soil is gradually restored naturally and plants grown in this soil begin to develop their own defenses against pests and diseases.
Uses everyday materials, so it's easy & economical to make
Because you make it yourself, you know what what's in the tea...no surprises
It's an alternative to using chemical fertilizers, so it can be used in organic farming.

Disadvantages:
Has to be used relatively quickly.
The longer the tea remains unaerated, the greater loss of microorganisms and of diversity. The loss in numbers and diversity could be as much as 30% - 50%, but it is still useful until it goes anaerobic.*
The tea will begin to have a strong odor when it has gone anaerobic

Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

that's a bit of a misnomer.... one does not make the tea with worms...... but with their castings... poo, in other words.....either by using packaged worm castings or by using the liquids that come off the bin in which worms are 'vermicomposted', or raised....
worm castings are just the best fertilizer....
as for it's goodness or not for orchids, I can't say... but it's fine for most other garden plants..... where the worms live naturally... up in trees, that's another story!....worms don't get up there naturally.....if you'll visit GardenWeb's orchid forum, I'll bet that site's FAQ's might help you with this.....

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/orchids/?5001

Answer 4

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