Vermicompost: how to use COMPETENTLY (composition, methods, standards, etc.)

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Vermicompost is the best organic fertilizer, which has no analogues. This is an excellent growth stimulator without a single gram of chemicals. It has become popular among gardeners due to its rich range of beneficial properties and environmental friendliness. For ease of use, fermented and liquid types of vermicompost are available for sale, packaged in plastic bags or bottles of various sizes.

With the use of vermicompost, the yield increases by 30% or more

Liquid biohumus for the garden, seedlings and indoor plants is the primary fertilizer. It allows you to saturate the plantings not only with useful microelements, but also to stimulate the development of soil microflora. The instructions are simple and understandable to any gardener. This practical and practice-tested fertilizer, vermicompost, if desired, will not be difficult to make yourself.

Content

Vermicompost: general definitions
Vermicompost: purpose and methods of application
Composition of vermicompost (vermicompost)
Vermicompost: how it is obtained and release format
How to use vermicompost
a) Use of dry vermicompost
b) Application of liquid vermicompost
c) Application of vermicompost for individual plants
About the safety of vermicompost
Interesting fact: THE LARGEST BUYER OF VERBIHUMUS
As a conclusion

Vermicompost increases the germination of seeds, activates the growth and development of plants, stimulates fruiting, saturates the soil with organic matter with a large set of microelements in a form accessible to plants, etc.

In this material we will summarize all the information related to the purpose and use of vermicompost. Let's consider not only its beneficial properties, but also its composition, features and standards of use, release format, etc.

How to store fertilizer?

Polyethylene bottles are used for packaging liquid vermicompost. The guaranteed shelf life of most manufacturers is 3 years. Usually the label indicates that there is no expiration date. Store in places inaccessible to children and animals, separately from food. The best conditions are a dry room with temperatures from -5°C to +35°C. When sediment forms or freezes, the liquid does not lose its properties.

Video on how to make high-quality vermicompost at home.

If a gardener understands how to use vermicompost, he will always be pleased with the harvest and flowering flower beds in his garden plot.

Vermicompost: general definitions

Vermicompost (vermicompost, from the Latin “vermi” - worms) is an environmentally friendly organic fertilizer, a product of processing organic matter (on an industrial scale, most often cattle manure) by a population of earthworms specially bred for this purpose. Of the total processing volume, the yield of commercial vermicompost is about 60%.

Vermicompost does not contain pathogenic microflora, helminth eggs, weed seeds and heavy metals. Despite the fact that it is an organic product, vermicompost does not have an unpleasant odor, its odor is neutral.

Vermicompost contains a unique community of microorganisms beneficial to soil and plants, which, when added to the soil, populate it, secrete phytohormones, antibiotics, fungicidal and bactericidal compounds, which leads to the displacement of pathogenic microflora. All this ultimately heals the soil and eliminates many widespread plant diseases.

The importance of vermicompost in organic farming can hardly be overestimated.

Crop susceptibility

Vermicompost is considered the main fertilizer for gardening work. Moreover, the susceptibility of crops to it depends on the type of plant.

Highly responsive plants (60-70%):

all root vegetables;
plants of the Solanaceae family;
pumpkin crops;
cereals;
fruit trees.

Plants of medium and low level of susceptibility (20-30%):

legumes;
Maslenitsa

Vermicompost: purpose and methods of application

Vermicompost is intended to enhance the supply of nutrients to plants, enhance the activity of soil microflora, activate the synthesis of proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins in plants, increase the resistance of plants to temperatures, reduce the intake of radionuclides, heavy metals and pesticides into plants, enhance the growth and development of plants, accelerate ripening , increasing the yield and improving its quality.

Methods of using vermicompost:

Vermicompost is a stimulant for soaking seeds for better germination.
Vermicompost is an excellent component of nutritious soil for seedlings of vegetable and flower crops, as well as indoor flowers for their growth and development.
Biohumus is an additive to the holes when planting seedlings in the ground, and when planting/transplanting seedlings of fruit and berry plants for their rapid adaptation.
Vermicompost is feeding plants and improving soil health (open or protected), saturating it with organic matter and beneficial components.

Vermicompost is ideal for large plants and crops that require neutral acidity. But there are a number of nuances that you should know. For example, not all plants are responsive to the addition of vermicompost - sunflower, mustard, rapeseed, peas, soybeans, etc.

Advantages

Vermicompost is environmentally friendly.
Humic acids are a natural antibiotic that protects seedlings and adult plants from microorganisms.
A neutral acidity level is the prevention of plant diseases.
A high concentration of beneficial bacteria (2 billion per 1 g) guarantees the neutralization of heavy metals and radionuclides contained in the soil.
Vermicompost has a prolonged effect: it is applied once every 3-4 years.
Vermicompost contains no pathogenic microorganisms or viable weed seeds.
The use of vermicompost allows you to double the ripening of fruits without harm to plants and humans.
Adding vermicompost neutralizes weed seeds.
The content of E. coli in vermicompost is two times less than in manure.

drawback - the prepared solution quickly loses its beneficial properties. In its undiluted form, vermicompost retains its beneficial qualities throughout its use.

Composition of vermicompost (vermicompost)

Vermicompost is a concentrated fertilizer containing a balanced complex of essential nutrients and microelements, enzymes, soil antibiotics, vitamins, plant growth and development hormones. It contains a large amount of humic substances.

Humic acids, fulvic acids and humins - this gives this organic fertilizer high agrochemical and growth-stimulating properties. The more humic components, the more nutritious the soil.

Composition of dry biohumus (vermicompost):

moisture – 40-45%;
ash – 35-45%;
organic substances – 35-65%;
humic substances – 20-32%;
total nitrogen – 1.0-2.0%;
total phosphorus (P2O5) – 0.9-3.0%;
total potassium (K2O) – 0.9-2.0%;
as well as beneficial natural microflora, phytohormones and vitamins, etc.

All nutrients are present in it in a balanced combination and in the form of compounds bioavailable to the plant. By the way, it should be noted that caprolites (the waste products of worms) glue the soil together into small lumps with the help of mucus, and this, among other things, allows the prolonged release of nutrients to the plant.

The fertilizer is easily and gradually absorbed by plants throughout their development cycle.

Composition and complex of useful properties

In terms of the availability of nutrients, vermicompost is several times better than compost and manure. Moreover, the composition does not contain pathogenic microflora or weed seeds. Beneficial microorganisms ensure soil health and improve its fertile properties.

Organic fertilizer vermicompost contains:

set of nutrients;
many macro and microelements;
a set of amino acids and humic substances;
essential soil antibiotics.

The composition is balanced and easy to digest. It is contained in the smallest lumps of soil left as a result of the vital activity of worms. This makes it possible for plants to receive food prolonged, throughout the entire development cycle.

Beneficial features:

Biohumus, or vermicompost, introduced into the soil, provides essential nutrition to plants. It accelerates seed germination by 2 times, increases the quantity and quality of fruits, and ensures fruiting in every season.
Crops fertilized with this drug acquire immunity to many diseases.
Vermicompost does not have an unpleasant odor; it can be safely used not only for seedlings, but also for many beloved indoor plants and lawns.
Ease of use: watering at the root or spraying foliage.
The fertilizer is environmentally friendly, as it does not contain nitrates or substances harmful to the soil. Under its influence, the soil quickly restores its nutritional properties.
Positive results of use are observed within 5 years.

Video about application and beneficial properties.

The effectiveness of the fertilizer is evidenced by statistical data. For example, if 1 ton of rotted manure gives an increase in potatoes by 100-120 kg, then the same amount of vermicompost increases the yield by 1600-1800 kg. Moreover, tubers are less affected by wireworms and other diseases.

Vermicompost: how it is obtained and release format

Vermicompost is a natural organic fertilizer produced by processing organic waste from crop and livestock farming by earthworm populations. Currently, special types of “domestic” earthworms have been bred from “wild” earthworms, which work on special farms producing vermicompost for its artificial cultivation (production). Currently, one of the most common is the specially bred Californian worm Lumbricus rubellus (another name is the Little Red Crawl).

Vermicompost production

Vermicompost is produced in TWO formats:
a) DRY or FERMENTED - this is the main product of production, free-flowing, friable, fatty, black-brown in color.
b) LIQUID – this is an extract from dry vermicompost, available in the form of a liquid, gel or paste, also black-brown in color.

In terms of usefulness, these two formats have no fundamental difference. In terms of its effect on the soil structure, there is one difference: dry vermicompost increases the looseness of the soil (making it air- and moisture-permeable), while liquid vermicompost does not have any effect on the soil structure.

On store shelves you can see vermicompost divided by purpose - universal vermicompost, or vermicompost for specific plants (for example, vermicompost for tomatoes, vermicompost for flowers, etc.). This applies more to liquid vermicompost. But this division is very arbitrary; it is more of a marketing ploy to confuse the buyer and increase sales.

But the manufacturer matters. It is important that this is a PROVEN MANUFACTURER that produces QUALITY products. For example, IP Tkachenko, his products are one of the best in Russia.

Vermicompost IP Tkachenko - product line

What is it and why is it needed

What is vermicompost? This is loose, fertile soil that worms process during their life.

In other words, vermicompost is an organic, environmentally friendly fertilizer that is obtained after worms process any organic waste that can rot. This biological product is absolutely harmless to people, animals and the environment, since it is free of chemicals.

In the garden, on the paths, in the beds between the rows, you can often see small piles of soil, which are called coprolites. It is earthworms that create heaps due to their vital activity.

They pass through themselves soil, manure, compost, which people use to fertilize their beds, creating coprolites from all this. At the same time, the worms consume all organic residues, releasing nutritious processed soil that is more accessible for plant growth.

In their pure form, plants will not be able to absorb manure, compost, grass residues, and roots. From organic, even the most accessible fertilizers, they can only absorb useful substances in the form of humus. And beneficial microorganisms and earthworms participate in its formation.

The environment of coprolites is filled with enzymes, acids, microorganisms, even natural antibiotics. All substances benefit plants, strengthen their immunity, and make them more resistant to diseases.

Some gardeners collect coprolites, then infuse them in water, pouring them over seedlings or indoor flowers.

How to use vermicompost

a) Use of dry vermicompost

The rate of use of dry vermicompost is summarized in the following table:

Type of work	Application rate
Preparation of soil for seedlings of vegetable, green and other crops	10-25% of the total soil volume
Planting vegetable seedlings, planting root crops	100-200 gr. per hole
Planting seedlings of fruit and berry crops	about 2kg per seedling
Fertilizing of flower, vegetable and other green crops during the growing season	500 gr. dry vermicompost per 1m2
Feeding berry bushes	about 1.5 kg of dry vermicompost per plant
Preparing soil for indoor flowers	10-20% of dry vermicompost from the volume of the pots
Rehabilitation of greenhouse soil	about 20% of the total soil volume

Dry vermicompost is not left on the surface; it must be embedded in the soil, evenly mixed with the main soil.

When preparing SOIL SUBSTRATE using BIOHUMUS (for planting, replanting or changing the top layer of soil), use the following ratio: 1 part vermicompost + 3 parts component (turf soil, peat, sand, etc.). Those. the share of vermicompost in the total volume of soil is about 25%.

Vermicompost (dry/fermented/granulated, etc.) from various manufacturers

b) Application of liquid vermicompost

Liquid vermicompost is very effective for soaking seeds. The liquid format of vermicompost is used throughout the growing season for regular feeding of vegetable, fruit and berry, green, flower and other crops. This is a concentrated solution (1 liter of vermicompost concentrate is enough to prepare 200 liters of working solution).

You can make your own liquid vermicompost from dry one. To do this, one glass of dry vermicompost is diluted in 5 liters of water at room temperature, stirred well and left for one day at room temperature. After this it is ready for use.

Type of work	Application rate
Soaking seeds before sowing	15-20 ml./1 l. water, soak before sowing for 12-72 hours
Treatment of tubers, bulbs and cuttings before planting	15-20 ml./1 l. water, soak tubers and bulbs for 6-12 hours, cuttings for 14-24 hours
Treatment of seedlings before planting	5ml. / 1 l. water, dip the roots of the seedling for 3-5 minutes before planting
Root feeding	10-15 ml/10 l. water, applied through irrigation, it is advisable to alternate with foliar feeding, consumption rate is 4-10 liters. working solution per 1m2
Foliar feeding	25-30 ml/10 l. water, spray in the morning and evening hours during the growing season
Feeding seedlings	3-5 ml./5 l. water, watering once a week

Vermicompost - concentrate (liquid) from various manufacturers

c) Application of vermicompost for individual plants

The rate of use of vermicompost for individual plants is in the following table

Culture	Norm for using vermicompost
All crops for digging the soil in autumn or spring	Apply 2.5 cups (500 ml) per m2 to the surface layer of soil and mix to a depth of 10 cm
Vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.	When planting: 1/2 cup (100 ml) per hole Feeding: once a month 100 ml per bush or 1 cup (200 ml) per 1 m2
Onion garlic	In preparation for sowing: 1 cup (200 ml) per m2 Top dressing: 1 cup (200 ml) per 1 m2
Strawberry wild-strawberry	When planting: 1/2 cup (100 ml) per hole Feeding: once a month 100 ml per bush or 1 cup (200 ml) per 1 m2
Garden flowers	When planting: 1/2 cup (100 ml) per hole. Feeding: once a month 100 ml per bush or 1 glass (200 ml) per m2
Indoor flowers	When planting: mix 1 part vermicompost + 3 parts soil. Feeding: once every two months, 2-3 tablespoons per plant.
Fruit and berry ornamental shrubs	When planting: depending on the size of the plant, 2-4 cups (400-800 ml) per planting hole. Feeding: 1-2 times per season, 1-2 cups (200-400 ml) per bush.
Liquid fertilizing for all types of crops (gives a quick effect)	Top dressing (root and foliar): 1 cup (200 ml) per 10 l/water. Leave for at least a day.

What is important: the use of both dry and liquid vermicompost DOES NOT CAUSE OVERDOSE that disrupts the soil microflora or burns plants. It is advisable to follow the standards specified in the instructions for use. However, if you deviate from the norm, an excess of vermicompost will only benefit the plant.

Application

Vermicompost is suitable for any plants when grown in open ground. It is applied to the ground when preparing the soil mixture for seedlings, used to soak seeds before sowing, and also used as a regular liquid fertilizer.

The main purpose of vermicompost:

improvement of agrotechnical qualities of soil;
increasing the moisture-holding properties of the soil;
acceleration of seed germination;
activation of the formation of the root system;
stimulating productivity;
maintaining soil pH levels;
increasing plant immunity;
activation of the biological mass of plants;
increased cellular respiration;
increase in fruit biomass;
neutralization of nitrates in fruits;
stimulating flowering.

Interesting fact: THE LARGEST BUYER OF VERBIHUMUS

Such a buyer turned out to be Saudi Arabia, which announced the preparation of contracts for the purchase of vermicompost in the amount of about 5 billion bags of vermicompost per year!!! ...that's tens of millions of tons per year over the next ten years. It was officially announced on March 27, 2021 that as part of the large-scale “green” initiative of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud, to combat global climate change, Saudi Arabia plans to plant 10 billion trees in the coming decades. The goals are to green the desert, reduce carbon emissions, and overcome pollution and degradation of land resources. At the same time, the Crown Prince intends to launch a “green Middle East” program, which involves planting 40 billion trees throughout the region.

Thus, if the plan is to plant 50 billion trees in the next decade, that's 5 billion trees every year. Each tree is one bag of vermicompost (about 15-30 kg). In terms of commercial vermicompost, this will amount to about 75 million tons per year. All this will seriously increase the demand for vermicompost by hundreds of millions of tons in the coming years.

There is no doubt that these initiatives will be implemented. There is nothing to replace vermicompost in the desert. They refuse chemistry. International conventions and national legislations of countries prohibit the export of topsoil. A mature date palm seedling can cost $1,000, so spending $25 on vermicompost and providing it with starter nutrition is at least sustainable. The price of high-quality vermicompost for a bag weighing 15 kg (25 liters) can reach 25 US dollars. Russia had experience in selling vermicompost; we sold it wholesale in Jordan for $1.6 per 1 kg. Potential exports of vermicompost to the Middle East could reach $125 billion per year. Russia, it is advisable not to miss this chance...

Buy BIOHUMUS (liquid, dry) at a GREAT PRICE on Yandex.Market

Price and storage conditions

A liquid concentrate is produced to care for seedlings. The average cost of one 250 ml bottle is 80 rubles. The price depends on the concentration of active components. When purchasing fertilizers, choose formulations designed for a specific type of vegetable crop.

The concentrate is stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. After freezing, vermicompost does not lose its properties. Maximum storage time is 1.5 years. After the expiration date, the digestibility of substances decreases.

Safety precautions

Liquid vermicompost is not a toxic substance, so you will not need safety glasses and masks when using it. If there are scratches or irritations on your hands, you can wear rubber gloves, and after the feeding process is completed, you must wash your hands. The fertilizer is sold in unbreakable plastic bottles.

If, by some chance, fertilizer gets into your eye, rinse with plenty of water; if you swallow a certain amount of the solution, then rinse your stomach with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or activated carbon. There have been no cases of poisoning with vermicompost and a reaction is possible only in case of individual intolerance.

Vermicompost tea from vermicompost, recipe by Marina Rykalina

Marina Rykalina advises using a mixture of vermicompost, a soil mixture based on rotted compost, because such compost is more saturated with various minerals and useful microelements due to the technology of its preparation and vermiculite. She insists that it is very important to add leavening components to the mixture to obtain a more pronounced result. Marina also emphasizes that liquid vermicompost should be diluted exclusively in warm, settled water without chlorine.

Reviews

Based on reviews from those who have tried this product, the advantages of the fertilizer can be highlighted:

Actively fertilizes the soil.
Suitable for all types of plants.
Safe product: no harmful flora.
Can be used for several years in a row on the site without reducing the positive effect. Complexly affects different cultures.
Increases productivity.
Has a higher percentage of nitrogen than humus.
It does not have a sharp, unpleasant odor, unlike manure.
Stimulates the formation of buds and abundant flowering of indoor plants.
Activates the growth of the root system.

There are other advantages of eco-fertilizer:

Suitable for treating seeds and seedlings.
The natural product belongs to the class of substances with low fire hazard and is non-toxic.
Positively affects the fertility of the substrate. Can be combined with other types of fertilizers.
Does not clog the soil, unlike manure.
Good friability.
Biofertilizer absorbs moisture well.
Even when a natural product is frozen and then defrosted, the unique organic fertilizer does not lose its beneficial properties.
Stimulates the formation and reproduction of soil microorganisms, during the active life of which humus is formed.

No negative aspects have been identified when using vermicompost. Excessive application of organic fertilizer provokes an increase in soil pH levels, which disrupts the microflora of the substrate.

Possible negative nuances are associated only with incorrect use of the concentrated product (exceeding the norm by 1 sq. m or a flowerpot), but such cases are the exception.

There are practically no negative reviews about vermicompost; natural organic fertilizer is recommended by many vegetable growers, flower growers and gardeners.