VERMICOMPOST FOR ORCHIDS - Orchid Board

betoguerrero · #1 11-28-2008, 06:40 PM

I know that the vermicompost is the "non plus ultra" ( the best of the best) for comun plants.... have anybody try the vermicompost in Orchids??? Is this good???

camille1585 · #2 11-28-2008, 07:40 PM

Wish I could tell you, but I have no clue what vermicompost is! What is it?

bandeeorchids · #3 11-30-2008, 08:58 AM

For all epiphytic orchids it will be the "non plus ultra" killer. For terrestrial orchids it might work.
Horst

betoguerrero · #4 12-01-2008, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Wish I could tell you, but I have no clue what vermicompost is! What is it?

HI CAMILE

Vermicompost (also called worm compost, vermicast, worm castings, worm humus or worm manure) is the end-product of the breakdown of organic matter by some species of earthworm. Vermicompost is literally the best nutrient-rich, organic fertilizer and soil conditioner.

I read about it.... they said that this vermicompost can be use in orchids too....

betoguerrero · #5 12-01-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bandeeorchids

For all epiphytic orchids it will be the "non plus ultra" killer. For terrestrial orchids it might work.
Horst

And like a foliar????

camille1585 · #6 12-01-2008, 10:52 AM

So that's what it is! I used to go collect some worm mounds to add them to my pot plants. Don't know if I would add any to orchids though.

Andrew · #7 12-01-2008, 08:55 PM

As a fertilizer, there is a commercially produced worm leachate that is getting good reviews over at another forum. No doubt steeped castings can also be used as a liquid fertilizer. Solid castings are likely to reduce the drainage in most epiphyte mixes, so any benefits as a source of nutrients would be negated by the absence of roots to take them up.

Tropic · #8 12-02-2008, 12:48 PM

Making a diluted tea with this material and dipping the orchids in this will work well. I have had some success with my mini-orchids and I use a formula of 1 cup vermicompost to 1 gallon water, leave it 'brewing' in a warm area for a week then drain off the liquid and add 50:50 with water. This I then use for the orchid dip and even a weekly regimen of foliar fertilizing on some hard leaf orchids .

betoguerrero · #9 12-02-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropic

Making a diluted tea with this material and dipping the orchids in this will work well. I have had some success with my mini-orchids and I use a formula of 1 cup vermicompost to 1 gallon water, leave it 'brewing' in a warm area for a week then drain off the liquid and add 50:50 with water. This I then use for the orchid dip and even a weekly regimen of foliar fertilizing on some hard leaf orchids .

Thank You sooo much.... I produced this vermicompost or humus.... and I'm not sure to use in my orchids....
Do you have more flowers or do you have stronger leaves and roots???

Royal · #10 12-02-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by betoguerrero

Thank You sooo much.... I produced this vermicompost or humus....

You produced it!? Are you a worm?

Quote:

Originally Posted by betoguerrero

Do you have more flowers or do you have stronger leaves and roots???

Here we go again... Stronger than what? How do you measure leaf strength?

I like Andrew's and Tropic's answers. It can be beneficial - but so is fertilizer. Try it out, but don't count on miracles. Try a side by side with your normal stuff and the worm castings.