I have been maintaining my water additions at 75% weight volume to dry bedding weight, as suggested by various texts on vermicomposting, and realizing adequate composting action and herd cultivation in my operation. However, about three weeks ago I began experimenting with moisture concentrations of 90 to 95% while maintaining a 1/4 inch layer of peat moss over the moistened medium. This peat moss layer serves to contain the moisture better and give the stock a dry refuge if the moisture concentration is too great for their well being. The results to date are quicker regeneration to banded breeders and a cooler core temperature inhibiting anarobic action. The rate of decomposition apppears slightly longer when compared to a control bin at 75% concentration, but should still occur within 7 to 9 weeks by my estimates. The moister medium is also minimizing gnats and putrid meat odors.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 25, 2001

Answers

Are you still keeping close to a 7 pH reading?

-- TomK (tjk@cac.net), May 25, 2001.

Thank you for sharing this info Jay, but after following this forum for a few months I still do not have any idea what this statement is all about!!? Obeviously some thing about worms, but I have seen nothing leading up to this; can you present something more informative??

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), May 25, 2001.

Check the archives Mitch under Vermiculture. Jays been keeping us posted on his ongoing experiments for a long time.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), May 25, 2001.

Jay, you say "minimizing gnats and putrid meat odors."

Have I missed something here????? Do I want a WORM FARM IN MY HOUSE????? LOL

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), May 26, 2001.

The pH did adjust toward base, addition of orange rinds set it back slightly acidic (5.5 to 6).

Diane, I feed my bins All household scraps, meats included to produce higher nitrogen levels. So far I have controlled odors,gnats and mites with peat moss and clover added to the medium. Sticking to raw vegetable matter will prevent any possibility of putrification of feed, however nitrogen level potentials are lower when not using flesh scraps. I'm probally luckier than most, my wife has lived with an organics/horticulture area in our house since we got married. When foul odors begin permeating our living quarters, she gives me 12 hours to correct the offensive project before she functions as hazmat disposal and takes it to the pit.

If using zeolite as a bedding material, consider using cheap , unscented kitty litter or oil absorber. If its marketed as one of these, its cheaper than the garden zeolite and the same stuff. Just check the ingreidients.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 26, 2001.