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How many worms is required...to compost effectively?
Hello
Our Franz, in another thread, asked a question: How many worms does it take to dispose of the scraps from two people? Franz, how fast would you like the worms to dispose of the scraps? If you want it gone in a hurry then you have to give them something they like to eat. How would you like to eat a T-bone steak? Rare, medium or well done? The worms are like you-fussy. The worms want their 'steak' done their way-rotten! To worms 'rotten' is 'gourmet'. If you are giving worms a rare 'steak' then it will take longer for the worms to consume it. But give them vegetation in the 'rotten' state-their gourmet, then they will 'eat it up' more quickly. From my experience scraps are throw on the compost pile 'raw'. Take for example lettuce. 'Almost' bad lettuce will last quite a long time unless it is immersed in water. If lettuce is put in water it will rot quickly. This equals a gourmet worm meal. If you want the worms to act faster give them something they can eat. Give them their 'gourmet' meal...."make mine rotten...that's the way I like it!" How many worms? It depends upon whether you give them something they like to eat or something they will look at...and wonder "This chef doesn't understand...". If the worms aren't eating, then it is time to change the chef...or something. Give it to them rotten...just the way they like it! Their gourmet! Ask any worm... Gary Fort Langley BC Canada |
#2
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"Gary" wrote in message ... Hello Our Franz, in another thread, asked a question: How many worms does it take to dispose of the scraps from two people? Franz, how fast would you like the worms to dispose of the scraps? If you want it gone in a hurry then you have to give them something they like to eat. Gary. if you were to have a little think, you would realise that if I produce 500 gms of compostible material a day, and the worms compost at 50 gms per day, there will be a daily surplus of 450 gms of uncomposted material. In a year, that will amount to roughly 165 kilograms of uncomposted material in the course of a year. [snip] Franz |
#3
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Oh yeah? Tell me this:
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? How many fleas does it take to make a fleabag? "Gary" wrote in message ... Hello Our Franz, in another thread, asked a question: How many worms does it take to dispose of the scraps from two people? Franz, how fast would you like the worms to dispose of the scraps? If you want it gone in a hurry then you have to give them something they like to eat. How would you like to eat a T-bone steak? Rare, medium or well done? The worms are like you-fussy. The worms want their 'steak' done their way-rotten! To worms 'rotten' is 'gourmet'. If you are giving worms a rare 'steak' then it will take longer for the worms to consume it. But give them vegetation in the 'rotten' state-their gourmet, then they will 'eat it up' more quickly. From my experience scraps are throw on the compost pile 'raw'. Take for example lettuce. 'Almost' bad lettuce will last quite a long time unless it is immersed in water. If lettuce is put in water it will rot quickly. This equals a gourmet worm meal. If you want the worms to act faster give them something they can eat. Give them their 'gourmet' meal...."make mine rotten...that's the way I like it!" How many worms? It depends upon whether you give them something they like to eat or something they will look at...and wonder "This chef doesn't understand...". If the worms aren't eating, then it is time to change the chef...or something. Give it to them rotten...just the way they like it! Their gourmet! Ask any worm... Gary Fort Langley BC Canada |
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#6
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Franz Heymann wrote:
"Gary" wrote in message And doing other things to promote faster consumption...like putting soil where they eat...worms have gizzards and need soil to digest their food. I doubt that. It is certainly not mentioned in any of the essays on worm composting that I have read. Franz While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. -- "I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in." -- George McGovern |
#7
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"bigboard" wrote in message ... Franz Heymann wrote: "Gary" wrote in message And doing other things to promote faster consumption...like putting soil where they eat...worms have gizzards and need soil to digest their food. I doubt that. It is certainly not mentioned in any of the essays on worm composting that I have read. Franz While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. Read this then "In most of the species, the oesophagus is enlarged into a crop in front of the gizzard. This latter organ is lined with a smooth thick chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as he remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine, which runs in a straight course to the vent at the posterior end of the body." THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. by Charles Darwin [FIRST EDITION, October 10th, 1881.] CHAPTER I--HABITS OF WORMS. http://www.webmesh.co.uk/darwinworms1.htm |
#8
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suspicious minds wrote:
"bigboard" wrote in message While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. Read this then "In most of the species, the oesophagus is enlarged into a crop in front of the gizzard. This latter organ is lined with a smooth thick chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as he remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine, which runs in a straight course to the vent at the posterior end of the body." THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. by Charles Darwin [FIRST EDITION, October 10th, 1881.] CHAPTER I--HABITS OF WORMS. http://www.webmesh.co.uk/darwinworms1.htm I hadn't realised the organs were called gizzards. Still, my point about their digestion still stands. -- A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular. -- Adlai Stevenson |
#9
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"bigboard" wrote in message ... suspicious minds wrote: "bigboard" wrote in message While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. Read this then "In most of the species, the oesophagus is enlarged into a crop in front of the gizzard. This latter organ is lined with a smooth thick chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as he remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine, which runs in a straight course to the vent at the posterior end of the body." THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. by Charles Darwin [FIRST EDITION, October 10th, 1881.] CHAPTER I--HABITS OF WORMS. http://www.webmesh.co.uk/darwinworms1.htm I hadn't realised the organs were called gizzards. Still, my point about their digestion still stands. Granted, although with due respect I don't think that Franz has read many essays on worms. On another point, worms breed, so as long as conditions are suitable and within reason, the worms will multiply according to how much food is available (as long as they are not overwhelmed) |
#10
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"suspicious minds" wrote in message news "bigboard" wrote in message ... suspicious minds wrote: "bigboard" wrote in message While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. Read this then "In most of the species, the oesophagus is enlarged into a crop in front of the gizzard. This latter organ is lined with a smooth thick chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as he remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine, which runs in a straight course to the vent at the posterior end of the body." THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. by Charles Darwin [FIRST EDITION, October 10th, 1881.] CHAPTER I--HABITS OF WORMS. http://www.webmesh.co.uk/darwinworms1.htm I hadn't realised the organs were called gizzards. Still, my point about their digestion still stands. Granted, although with due respect I don't think that Franz has read many essays on worms. I have read exactly none on worms qua worms. I have, however, read a substantial number of essays on the making of worm compost. The descriptions of the standard worm-composting process do not mention the necessity of introducing fine sand particles into the wormery. On another point, worms breed, so as long as conditions are suitable and within reason, the worms will multiply according to how much food is available (as long as they are not overwhelmed) My worms have multiplied beyond all recognition. (Without the use of sand to stay alive). Nevertheless, they are demolishing my kitchen waste at a miserably small rate. They would really have to increase their appetites tenfold if they are to have any hope of consming the waste as fast as I feed it to them. Does any other urgler have any experience of an indoor wormery? Franz |
#11
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On 11/10/04 9:34 AM, in article , "Franz
Heymann" wrote: "suspicious minds" wrote in message news "bigboard" wrote in message ... suspicious minds wrote: "bigboard" wrote in message While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. Read this then "In most of the species, the oesophagus is enlarged into a crop in front of the gizzard. This latter organ is lined with a smooth thick chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as he remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine, which runs in a straight course to the vent at the posterior end of the body." THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. by Charles Darwin [FIRST EDITION, October 10th, 1881.] CHAPTER I--HABITS OF WORMS. http://www.webmesh.co.uk/darwinworms1.htm I hadn't realised the organs were called gizzards. Still, my point about their digestion still stands. Granted, although with due respect I don't think that Franz has read many essays on worms. I have read exactly none on worms qua worms. I have, however, read a substantial number of essays on the making of worm compost. The descriptions of the standard worm-composting process do not mention the necessity of introducing fine sand particles into the wormery. On another point, worms breed, so as long as conditions are suitable and within reason, the worms will multiply according to how much food is available (as long as they are not overwhelmed) My worms have multiplied beyond all recognition. (Without the use of sand to stay alive). Nevertheless, they are demolishing my kitchen waste at a miserably small rate. They would really have to increase their appetites tenfold if they are to have any hope of consming the waste as fast as I feed it to them. Does any other urgler have any experience of an indoor wormery? Franz An indoor wormery? I have thought of doing that but not sure what would be required. Tell us Franz how you do it. That will be a starting point for this discussion. What kind of container(s) do you use? Etc. I can picture dirt getting on the floor...worms also... Do you keep the wormery in the cellar? Or where? Temperature would be important I would think. What temperature is your wormery? Gary |
#12
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"Gary" wrote in message ... On 11/10/04 9:34 AM, in article , "Franz Heymann" wrote: "suspicious minds" wrote in message news "bigboard" wrote in message ... suspicious minds wrote: "bigboard" wrote in message While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. Read this then "In most of the species, the oesophagus is enlarged into a crop in front of the gizzard. This latter organ is lined with a smooth thick chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as he remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine, which runs in a straight course to the vent at the posterior end of the body." THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. by Charles Darwin [FIRST EDITION, October 10th, 1881.] CHAPTER I--HABITS OF WORMS. http://www.webmesh.co.uk/darwinworms1.htm I hadn't realised the organs were called gizzards. Still, my point about their digestion still stands. Granted, although with due respect I don't think that Franz has read many essays on worms. I have read exactly none on worms qua worms. I have, however, read a substantial number of essays on the making of worm compost. The descriptions of the standard worm-composting process do not mention the necessity of introducing fine sand particles into the wormery. On another point, worms breed, so as long as conditions are suitable and within reason, the worms will multiply according to how much food is available (as long as they are not overwhelmed) My worms have multiplied beyond all recognition. (Without the use of sand to stay alive). Nevertheless, they are demolishing my kitchen waste at a miserably small rate. They would really have to increase their appetites tenfold if they are to have any hope of consming the waste as fast as I feed it to them. Does any other urgler have any experience of an indoor wormery? Franz An indoor wormery? I have thought of doing that but not sure what would be required. Tell us Franz how you do it. Have a good read at the following article for a description of the principles. http://www.troubleatmill.com/wormbin.htm That will be a starting point for this discussion. What kind of container(s) do you use? Etc. I can picture dirt getting on the floor...worms also... No dirt and no worms have landed on the floor yet. Do you keep the wormery in the cellar? Or where? In the garage. Temperature would be important I would think. Yes. What temperature is your wormery? Never colder than about 8 deg C in winter. (My central heating boiler is in the garage as well.). Never warmer than about 25 deg C in the summer Franz |
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#14
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On 11/11/04 3:25 AM, in article , "Franz
Heymann" wrote: "Gary" wrote in message ... On 11/10/04 9:34 AM, in article , "Franz Heymann" wrote: "suspicious minds" wrote in message news "bigboard" wrote in message ... suspicious minds wrote: "bigboard" wrote in message While they don't strictly speaking have gizzards, they do need some sort of gritty substance to help break up the food they ingest. I use calcified seaweed. Read this then "In most of the species, the oesophagus is enlarged into a crop in front of the gizzard. This latter organ is lined with a smooth thick chitinous membrane, and is surrounded by weak longitudinal, but powerful transverse muscles. Perrier saw these muscles in energetic action; and, as he remarks, the trituration of the food must be chiefly effected by this organ, for worms possess no jaws or teeth of any kind. Grains of sand and small stones, from the 1/20 to a little more than the 1/10 inch in diameter, may generally be found in their gizzards and intestines. As it is certain that worms swallow many little stones, independently of those swallowed while excavating their burrows, it is probable that they serve, like mill-stones, to triturate their food. The gizzard opens into the intestine, which runs in a straight course to the vent at the posterior end of the body." THE FORMATION OF VEGETABLE MOULD THROUGH THE ACTION OF WORMS WITH OBSERVATIONS ON THEIR HABITS. by Charles Darwin [FIRST EDITION, October 10th, 1881.] CHAPTER I--HABITS OF WORMS. http://www.webmesh.co.uk/darwinworms1.htm I hadn't realised the organs were called gizzards. Still, my point about their digestion still stands. Granted, although with due respect I don't think that Franz has read many essays on worms. I have read exactly none on worms qua worms. I have, however, read a substantial number of essays on the making of worm compost. The descriptions of the standard worm-composting process do not mention the necessity of introducing fine sand particles into the wormery. On another point, worms breed, so as long as conditions are suitable and within reason, the worms will multiply according to how much food is available (as long as they are not overwhelmed) My worms have multiplied beyond all recognition. (Without the use of sand to stay alive). Nevertheless, they are demolishing my kitchen waste at a miserably small rate. They would really have to increase their appetites tenfold if they are to have any hope of consming the waste as fast as I feed it to them. Does any other urgler have any experience of an indoor wormery? Franz An indoor wormery? I have thought of doing that but not sure what would be required. Tell us Franz how you do it. Have a good read at the following article for a description of the principles. http://www.troubleatmill.com/wormbin.htm That will be a starting point for this discussion. What kind of container(s) do you use? Etc. I can picture dirt getting on the floor...worms also... No dirt and no worms have landed on the floor yet. Do you keep the wormery in the cellar? Or where? In the garage. Temperature would be important I would think. Yes. What temperature is your wormery? Never colder than about 8 deg C in winter. (My central heating boiler is in the garage as well.). Never warmer than about 25 deg C in the summer Franz Hi Franz The site you mentioned above....http://www.troubleatmill.com/wormbin.htm I checked it out. Is that the system you use or have you modified the system in any way? Just tell me what you do, maybe I can help out... Gary |
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The message
from Gary Davis contains these words: All urglers will please pump the air with their arms for two minutes while taking deep breaths. This will stimulate oxygen to the brain leading to New Discussions. One and two and one and two...Rusty, you're not really trying, now come along.. Janet. I know. I have been deleting that thread unread. Sorry. Hup-two-three, hup-two-seven... Janet You are right on. And funny also...I like the way you express yourself! I am sorry for making your brain hurt. I try to clarify the topic of the 'post' by identifying it in the 'subject line'. (Please notice I have changed the subject line from what it was to what it is now). This will allow those of you who are 'composted to the hilt' to not read the message or messages as the case may be. You will notice that I do (now) post at the bottom...that should be, at least, some relief... Phew! I take Franz's posts about composting at face value...he has asked a valid question: How many worms does it take to compost vegetation from two people. Parkinson's Law applies: Worms multiply to fill the heap available. Are you suggesting that Franz should look at the prior posts? It is he that seems to be having a problem...not I. I am trying to solve his problem of worms not eating fast enough. To do that I need to know how he is composting. That is why I asked him to describe his methods. He chose to give me a website to read....I read it. Have you? What do you think of it? Maybe you are 'composted out' and have no more comments about composting at any level. If they're not eating fast enough they don't like what they're being given. provide them with a scrumptious repast of rotting vegetables, lawn mowings, weeds, horse shmanure etc, they will work mightily at a level which is not too hot for them. Where the rotting takes place would cook them if Franz is doing it right. If it's a wormery he's using, then I have no experience of that. But don't respond to that question here...or should you? No, I think you should respond to that question on the thread that relates to composting...(if you so choose) this thread relates to "Discussions that hurt the brain"...I think that is right!? This is all so confusing! Gary Nah, there's not a lot to hurt the brian here. If you want to molish your brian to hurt, you shwd visit The Shed innit. PS: Did you know that experts are those that know more and more about less and less...? (This is a rhetorical question...!) PSS: I, at one time, asked that a person email me directly with questions about asparagus, I think it was, and was chastised vigorously for that...dare I tell Franz to email me direct? Not me! Janet, you tell him! Was it so secret? Perhaps the chastisers were afraid you were going to give away some gem which they'd miss - or a technically illegal division of a registered variety... -- Rusty Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar. http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/ |
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