Worm castings questions

Im planning on a mix of 2 parts potting mix, 1 part perlite and 1 part worm castings.

Will the worm castings work well with chemical fertilizers during the grow or is it better to use organic ferts? Ive got a good tried and trusted chemical fert and id like to continue using it.

Also, do the worm castings mixed in soil this way continue to provide benefits during the whole grow or does it kinda "wear off" or loose its effectiveness over time?

Actually one more thing... What is the shelf life of the castings? Are fresh ones a must?

Thanks!

I have an answer to the last question but still wondering about the first two...

nizmo said:

Im planning on a mix of 2 parts potting mix, 1 part perlite and 1 part worm castings.

Will the worm castings work well with chemical fertilizers during the grow or is it better to use organic ferts? Ive got a good tried and trusted chemical fert and id like to continue using it.

Also, do the worm castings mixed in soil this way continue to provide benefits during the whole grow or does it kinda "wear off" or loose its effectiveness over time?

Actually one more thing... What is the shelf life of the castings? Are fresh ones a must?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

You're proportions are about right, most try to keep to 20% castings on account of their tendency to become clay like over time which inhibits root growth, but the perilite should handle that.

As far as mixing with chemical fertilizers, I am not sure. One of the primary reasons one uses castings is because of the beneficial microorganisms that they bring to the soil. Those microorganisms eat the nutrients that the plant normally would and poop out something much more nutritious and easily absorbed by the roots. Were it an organic fertilizer, I would assume that the microorganisms could go about their business as usual but I am uncertain about chemical fertilizers.

As far as continued efficiency, it wouldnt surprise me to see them start being less effective, however between pot changes and carbohydrate supplements (like molasses or honey, which the MOs love), I think you'll be alright.

Hope this helped a bit, happy growing!

The one part is simple, organics and synthetics dont mix or should I say the synthetic kills any beneficial micro beasties that reside in the organics. If your going with worm castings you should stick with 100% organics or organic based. Decide if you want to go with living organics and recycle your soil or just organic based and use like chems.

Organics takes a while to get "cooking" or becoming a living universe of bugs, mold and all kinds of little bugs and shit rotting basically the organic matter and breaking it down so the plants can use it, in short if you go this route you end up just needing plain water or teas every now and then because the soil is alive and its what your growing really and concentrating on. Plants grown in this soil will not need much tending to as they will thrive and not burn if done right and get exactly what they need and nothing more. It takes normally 30 days to mix your soil and get it going when going this route but just tossing in some castings is not doing anything if you go with synthetics as it will instantly kill all beneficial shit in the castings to begin with making it inert basically or just an additive with no benefit. If you are going to use organic based teas with a pro mix type soil the roots bacteria really does not get going well until after you have harvested. Its kind of the exact opposite your thinking, the castings have goodies in them that can be absorbed fast as its the shit you WOULD be waiting on if you had LIVING soil or live worms constantly shitting in the soil as they eat, you have to wait for them to eat in living organics and ANY synthetis and most organic based products will instantly kill worms and all beneficial shit. The castings is already shit and is fertilizer itself just look at NPK values and it will wear off and need to be added but can burn if used to heavy either at first or when adding more with some guano later on. I would say dont bother with the castings if your going to use a synthetic line of nutes its a waste and just add more perlite for excellent soil aeration and not pack effect from inert mud.

Thats great thanks for that guys. Maybe i should use the mix i suggested and just fert using worm casting teas? Or will castings alone not provide all the elements required?

Will these nutes likely kill the micro organisms?
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/315304-anyone-used-these-super-grow.html

I cant get hold of real guano here...

Also will the phosphoric acid based ph down that i use be harmful to the organisms?

I think it's quite an overstatement to say that anything will kill all micros. Having an education in medical lab technology, I can safely say that only a very powerful antibiotic would do that, not a simple salt. BTW, plants do not uptake organic matter, only inorganic.

As previously stated, while worm castings are a source of N (i've seen bags that say 1-0-0), they are a "slow release" fertilizer - as they break down, the organic N they hold is broken down and eventually becomes inorganic N. The plants use that. This happens slowly over time, whereas with a chemical fertilizer you are giving them instant inorganic nitrogen.

Eventually, the worm castings you apply will run out of N, but you will still have important organic material left over - that becomes part of the matrix of the soil you are using.

As previously stated, while worm castings are a source of N (i've seen bags that say 1-0-0), they are a "slow release" fertilizer - as they break down, the organic N they hold is broken down and eventually becomes inorganic N. The plants use that. This happens slowly over time, whereas with a chemical fertilizer you are giving them instant inorganic nitrogen.

Click to expand...

From the sounds of that it would seem logical (at least to me) that correct application of the right chemical ferts will be more effective than using worm castings.

Would i be better making teas or using it in the soil?

super2200 said:

The one part is simple, organics and synthetics dont mix or should I say the synthetic kills any beneficial micro beasties that reside in the organics. If your going with worm castings you should stick with 100% organics or organic based. Decide if you want to go with living organics and recycle your soil or just organic based and use like chems.

Click to expand...

That will be news to Foxfarm. The first few contents of their Grow Big liquid fertilizer:
Ammonium Nitrate
Ammonium Phosphate
Potassium Phosphate
Potassium Nitrate
Earthworm Castings
Magnesium Nitrate

Their Big Bloom fertilizer is Organic, Tiger Bloom and Grow Big are not organic and yet their feeding schedule mixes these together regularly.