Bedding, feedstock and design with proper culturing through moisture management

1. VERMICULTURE
in the Tropics
• VERMI is Latin for “bulati” or worm
• Make sure you have composting worms (Epigeic), “manure worms”
like:
1. Red wiggler, Tiger, Indian blue
2. Best for tropics: African night-crawler
Soil dwelling (Anecic) worms will not survive in compost. They live
vertically in burrows and eat through soil.
Compost worms do not survive in soil for long, they need high
concentrations of organic matter
Endogeic worms build complex lateral burrow systems through all layers of
the upper mineral soil. These worms rarely come to the surface.

2. Soil dwelling (Anecic)
composting worms (Epigeic)
Liveverticallyinburrowsandeatthroughsoil
do not survive in soil for long, they need
high concentrations of organic matter
live horizontally
Endogeic

3. Vermicast is the enriched fertilizer left on the surface
from the earthworm’s digestive processes while
eating the feedstock
100% pure vermicast

4. Vermicast close up
Vermiculture: The AfricanVermiculture: The African
Night crawler produces aNight crawler produces a
natural pelletized fertilizernatural pelletized fertilizerNaturally
Pelletized
Deposited on the surface so you don’t need to screen
No Screening
100% pure vermicast

5. Vermi Uses
• Soil amendment
• Potting soil
• Live Bulati Sales

6. • Potting soil

9. Universal MixUniversal Mix
1/4 Soil1/4 Soil
1/4 Sand1/4 Sand
1/4 Vermicast1/4 Vermicast
1/4 Uling na ipa1/4 Uling na ipa

12. Potting cups
Solder iron
Re-use plastic

14. No TransplantNo Transplant
ShockShock

30. Chinampas in Xochimilco

31. The "floating gardens",
actually an artificial
peninsula.

32. Mucking for blocks
Chinampero
scooping up canal
muck.

33. Chinampero, or canal farmer, poking
holes and dropping seeds in his soil
blocks. Most men are Aztec
descendants and have continued on
today the craft of canal farming.
However, fewer and fewer families are
sustained with their farms, due to the
drainage of the shallow lake basin to
make room for buildings and resorts.

34. QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

35. Definition of Chinampas:
An artificial island, or
A long, narrow strip of farm
land surrounded on at least
three sides by water. Properly
maintained, they can produce
several crops a year and will
remain fertile for centuries
without having to lie fallow.
Each Chinampa is 300 feet
long and between 15-30 feet
wide(and any size with this
proportion). The surface of the
garden is a 2-3 feet above the
water and is topped every year
with the sediment found at the
bottom of the water canal that
surrounds it.

42. Management Principal 1
1. Feedstock - use
composted or EM
aged manures,
fermented kitchen
waste or aerobic
composts
Cover new beds with
a coco lumber
sawdust mulch or
straw mulch to
prevent ants from
infecting bed

44. QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

47. Bokashi Production
Vermi Bokashi
• Mix 2 sacks manure
1 sack sawdust or wet dayami
• Add EM/molasses
150ml ea. diluted in
3.0 liters water
• Remix materials
• Add 20-40 L water
for 30-40% moisture
content
Cow
Manure
Saw
dust
Cow
Manure
Mol EM

51. 2. Air - O2 - oxygen is
needed
• do not allow
compaction
• 0.4-meter max
depth allows air to
exchange
• use fork to aerate
bed weekly
Management Principal 2

52. Small hand rakeSmall hand rakeSmall hand rakeSmall hand rake

53. Large rakeLarge rakeLarge rakeLarge rake

54. Management Principal 3
• 3. Bedding/structure- Contained
in a vessel, box, plastic container or a
drum. A cover or roof is required
for regulating moisture. Surface
area is the limiting factor, not depth
of substrates. Keep protected from
predators.
• Compacted soil or cement flooring is
good
• More than 40cm depth is not
beneficial as the worms compete for
surface area not depth, plus
compaction limits their activity.

55. Hollow Block

57. PrecastPrecast
CementCement

58. C.I.B.C.I.B.

63. Manure Catchment

64. Vermiculture

66. Containers
Drums
Pails
Boxes
Tires

67. Hardiflex
Coco Lumber

70. Materials Schematic
70 cm 70 cm 60 cm20 cm 20 cm

71. 70 cm
8 ft

78. 4. Water4. Water -- after aeration get moisture between 50%-80%after aeration get moisture between 50%-80%
Management Principal 4Management Principal 4

79. 4. Water4. Water -- Sprayer heads can be installedSprayer heads can be installed

80. Tumble Harvest
Bait Harvest
•To harvest Vermicast: you can run the entire bed to
completion in 2 - 3 months. You then hand separate, table harvest, bait
harvest or sort with tumbler.
Table Harvest
You loose your eggs and only
recycle your adults- 6 week delay for
your replacement stocks that you
sell at P500/K

81. 30% vermicast
70% glorified cow manure
vermicompost

82. Tumble Harvest
Bait Harvest
Table Harvest
You loose your eggs
100% pure vermicast
Top Harvest Method vs. Complete Bed Harvest
30% vermicast
70% glorified cow manure
vermicompost

83. T.H.M. Pure Vermicast Harvesting
• We use the weekly Top Harvest Method.
With T.H.M. you are able to harvest the
vermicasts each week without disturbing
the worms.This promotes better breeding
and propagation
• THM with African Night crawlers yields
10 liters vermicast/m2/
week
• Just gather with finger or rake action the
finished pure vermicasts from the surface
of the bed. The worms will avert your
activity and burrow deeper down while
you take the finished casts from on top.
The top is where the African night-
crawler leaves its “tae”.
No need to
Screen!
No need to
Screen!

84. 100% pure vermicast

86. THM
Top Harvest Method
Rain protected container

87. First Feedstocking
Fill bed with manure,
Kitchen waste, vegetables
30% moisture
Mulch surface to prevent ants and flies

88. First Feedstocking
Wait 2 weeks
Then add bulati - worms
Increase to 50%-80% MC

89. First Worm Stock
Wait 2 -3 weeks
Then harvest when
castings accumulate

90. First Harvest
Harvest every week
Or 2 inches

91. Aerate, Water and Wait

92. Next Harvest
Every week
Or 2 inches

93. Aerate, Water and Wait

94. Next Harvest
Every week
Or 2 inches

95. Refill
Move to one side

96. Refill
Move to one side
Old beddingNew bedding

97. Worms move in
Old beddingNew bedding

98. Worms move in
Old beddingNew bedding

100. Harvesting ToolsHarvesting Tools
•20 Liter pails20 Liter pails
•1/2 gallon scoop1/2 gallon scoop
•Vermicast rakeVermicast rake
•Hand fork orHand fork or
Large forkLarge fork
Harvesting ToolsHarvesting Tools
•20 Liter pails20 Liter pails
•1/2 gallon scoop1/2 gallon scoop
•Vermicast rakeVermicast rake
•Hand fork orHand fork or
Large forkLarge fork
Step
by
Step

101. Withhold water 2 daysWithhold water 2 days
prior to harvestingprior to harvesting
Withhold water 2 daysWithhold water 2 days
prior to harvestingprior to harvesting

103. 8.4 M X
•6.5 pales
•130 L
8.4 M X
•6.5 pales
•130 L
96 cm = 8 M2
X 20 Liters
/ 8 M2
= 16 L/M2
= 130 L
1
2
3
4
5
6
6.5
The Weekly
Harvest

104. Bed Date Volume (L) /area L/M 2
In
A September 2, 2008 100.0 8.4 11.9
B September 2, 2008 100.0 5.5 18.2
C September 2, 2008 80.0 5.4 14.8
D September 2, 2008 60.0 2.5 24.0
E September 2, 2008 60.0 2.4 25.0
F September 2, 2008 80.0 4.0 20.0
G September 2, 2008 80.0 5.2 15.4
A September 11, 2008 100.0 8.4 11.9
B September 11, 2008 100.0 5.5 18.2
C September 11, 2008 80.0 5.4 14.8
D September 11, 2008 60.0 2.5 24.0
B September 15, 2008 60.0 5.5 10.9
C September 15, 2008 40.0 5.4 7.4
B September 18, 2008 40.0 5.5 18.2
A September 24, 2008 90.0 8.4 10.7
C September 24, 2008 20.0 5.4 14.8
Record Keeping
Yield
1,190.0 93.8 12.7

105. Vermicast ppm
Manganese 110.55
Iron 677.93
Copper 6.45
Zinc 206.00
Fertilizer Analysis
NPK % Lbs/1000gal. K/1000L Lbs/ton k/ton
Nitrogen(N) 0.51 42.33 5.06 10.2 4.64
Phosphate (P2
O5
) 0.82 68.37 8.18 16.47 7.49
Potash (K2
O) 0.25 20.64 2.47 4.97 2.26
Aloha House June 2008
Vermicast

106. Small hand rakeSmall hand rakeSmall hand rakeSmall hand rake

107. Small hand rakeSmall hand rakeSmall hand rakeSmall hand rake

108. Large rakeLarge rakeLarge rakeLarge rake

109. Large rakeLarge rakeLarge rakeLarge rake

110. WaterWater -- after aeration get moisture over 60%after aeration get moisture over 60%

112. 1/3
depth
Refilling Vermicast Bed

115. Molasses,
Water
and mulch

118. Worms will migrateWorms will migrate
To new feedstockTo new feedstock
In 1-2 weeksIn 1-2 weeks

120. Compost + h2o
+ molasses + air
Basic Compost Tea
Aquarium
Air Pump
Avoid anaerobic pockets!
Tilt pail
to prevent
Putrifaction
Spacer

121. CirculateCirculate
CompostCompost

122. 1/2 Liter Molasses1/2 Liter Molasses
1 L Vermi Compost1 L Vermi Compost
20 L H2O20 L H2O
Aquarium Air Pump

125. Whizbang Double Vortex Compost Tea Brewer
Clockwise
Counter
Clockwise
Chaos
Exchanger
Air
Pump
Collection
Point

131. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC):
found in humans, cattle, and goats.
Virotype is strain O157:H7, which
causes bloody diarrhea without
fever. EHEC can cause hemolytic-
uremic syndrome and sudden
kidney failure and possesses toxin
that can elicit an intense
inflammatory response.
The Giardia parasite lives in the
intestine of infected humans or
animals. Giardia is found in soil,
food, water, or surfaces that have
been contaminated with the feces
from infected humans or animals.
You can become infected after
accidentally swallowing the
parasite;

135. Pests
Ants
Rats
Moles
Shrews
Palawan Wild Cats
Impatient Farmers who check too much

136. Vermi Problems
• Digging too often -Don’t interrupt them
• Also avoid placing near vibration, they will evacuate your
culture area.
• Prevent drying of bed
• Standing water is not desirable
• Don’t leave raw material on surface, it attracts ants and
other pests. Cover with mulch.
Any questions?

137. Nutrient Balance ProblemsNutrient Balance Problems
• In compost C/NIn compost C/N
• Too much carbonToo much carbon
• Slow process, seeds andSlow process, seeds and
pathogens not eliminatedpathogens not eliminated
• Stunted small wormsStunted small worms
• Too much nitrogenToo much nitrogen
• runs hotruns hot
• Fails to maximize carbonFails to maximize carbon
surplussurplus
• Wasted resourceWasted resource
• Kills wormsKills worms
• In soil C/N
• Too much carbon
• Locks up nitrogen,
stunts growth
Too much nitrogen
• Microbial bloom
eats storehouse of
nutrients in soil
(loss of humus)

138. QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

139. QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

141. Soil CorrectionSoil Correction Batch kilos Kilos Kilos total
WEIGHT/ No. scoops per per per No.
VOLUME Pails hectare LITER 20L Pail Pails
Carbonized hull 1.56 15.63 500.0 0.4 8 63
Livestock Lime 0.38 3.75 300.0 1.0 20 15
Ag Limestone 1.25 12.50 1,000.0 1.0 20 50
Bokashi 0.31 3.13 100.0 0.4 8 13
Gravel dust 2.00 20.00 2,000.0 1.3 25 80
Gypsum 0.69 6.94 500.0 0.9 12.5 40
Mineral Mix scoops Pails x4 (2 Bag Gypsum) MIX ORDER
Carbonized hull 15.00 1.50 6 Gravel dust 1
Livestock Lime 4.00 Ag Limestone 1
Ag Limestone 3.00 1.00 4 Pre-Blended 1
Bokashi 3.00 Carbonized hull 1
Ag Limestone 10.00 1.00 4 Gypsum 0.7
Gravel dust 20.00 2.00 8 Gravel dust 1
Gypsum 7.00 0.70 4 Carbonized hull 1/2
NO GYPSUM Correction scoops Pails MIX ORDER
Carbonized hull 1.00 Gravel dust 1
Livestock Lime 2.00 Carbonized hull 1
Carbonized hull 5.00 = 1.00 Blended 1
Bokashi 3.00 Ag Limestone 1
Gravel dust 2.00 Gravel dust 1
Ag Limestone 2.00 Ag Limestone 1

142. Mineral Mix
Carbonized hull
24%Livestock Lime
6%
Bokashi
5%
Ag Limestone
21%
Gravel dust
33%
Gypsum
11%
Carbonized hull
Livestock Lime
Bokashi
Ag Limestone
Gravel dust
Gypsum

145. Iwahig Carbon ppm
78.84
63.27
2.40
42.91
2,000.00
2,800.00
2,200.00
Manganese
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Nitrogen(N)
Phosphate (P2O5)
Potash (K2O)
Carbon ppm
Manganese 78.84
Iron 63.27
Copper 2.40
Zinc 42.91 NPK %
Nitrogen(N) 2,000.00 0.20
Phosphate (P2
O5
) 2,800.00 0.28
Potash (K2
O) 2,200.00 0.22

146. Sabang Bat Guano ppm
440.00
5,191.00
36.00
206.00
2,800.00
18,100.00
3,800.00
Manganese
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Nitrogen(N)
Phosphate (P2O5)
Potash (K2O)
Bat Gauno ppm
Manganese 440.00
Iron 5,191.00
Copper 36.00
Zinc 206.00 NPK % Lbs/1000gal. K/1000L Lbs/ton k/ton
Nitrogen(N) 2,800.00 0.28 23.00 2.75 5.54 2.52
Phosphate (P2
O5
) 18,100.00 1.81 150.00 17.94 36.22 16.46
Potash (K2
O) 3,800.00 0.38 31.00 3.71 7.58 3.45

147. Aloha approx.
Potting Volume Weight moisture comments
SOIL Liters Kilos content
Carbonized hull 200 80 30.0% rained on
Sand 200 130 10.0% usually dry
Vermicast 200 170 25.0% normal
Soil 200 200 25.0% screened
Bat gauno 4.0 4 dry dusty
Ag. Limestone 2.0 2 dry dusty
Bokashi 2.0 1 30.0% moist
TOTAL 808 587
Kilos Kilos Kilos approx.
WEIGHT/ per per per moisture comments
VOLUME LITER 2L Scoop 20L Pail content
Iwahig Carbonized hull 0.40 0.8 8.0 30% rained on
Const/beach Sand 1.30 2.6 26.0 10.0% usually dry
Self Vermicast 0.65 1.3 13.0 25% normal
Local Soil 0.85 1.7 17.0 25% screened
Timbancaya Bat gauno 1.00 2.0 20.0 dry dusty
Pal. Poultry Limestone 1.00 2.0 20.0 dry very dusty
Self Bokashi 0.40 0.8 8.0 30% moist
New Market Sea Salt 1.10 2.2 22.0 40%? very moist
Marcelo Gravel dust 1.25 2.5 25.0 30% rained on
Olympic Gypsum 1.00 2.0 20.0 dry dusty

148. Aloha Bokashi ppm
50.99
175.00
3.37
28.17
7,600.00
5,000.00
8,100.00 Manganese
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Nitrogen(N)
Phosphate (P2O5)
Potash (K2O)
Bokashi ppm Ca 1.41 Ca/Mg
Manganese 50.99 Mg 0.16 8.81
Iron 175.00
Copper 3.37
Zinc 28.17 NPK %
Nitrogen(N) 7,600.00 0.76
Phosphate (P
2
O
5
) 5,000.00 0.50
Potash (K2
O) 8,100.00 0.81

150. Aloha Vermicast ppm
110.55
677.93
6.45
206.00
5,100.00
8,200.00
2,500.00
Manganese
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Nitrogen(N)
Phosphate (P2O5)
Potash (K2O)
Bat Gauno ppm
Manganese 440.00
Iron 5,191.00
Copper 36.00
Zinc 206.00 NPK % Lbs/1000gal. K/1000L Lbs/ton k/ton
Nitrogen(N) 2,800.00 0.28 23.00 2.75 5.54 2.52
Phosphate (P2
O5
) 18,100.00 1.81 150.00 17.94 36.22 16.46
Potash (K2
O) 3,800.00 0.38 31.00 3.71 7.58 3.45

151. Source
Rice hull charcoal you can make
Finer crushed powder, faster acting, Calcium Carbonate
Aloha All Around Formula from book, any formula is fine
Coarser, longer acting, Calcium Carbonate
Waste from gravel crushing, Sometimes called Gravel sand
Also called Plaster of Paris, found in hardware stores, Calcium Sulphate
Mineral Mix 2
1.5
0.4
0.3
3.3
2.0
0.7
Carbonized hull
Livestock Lime
Bokashi
Ag Limestone
Gravel dust
Gypsum
20 liter Pails
Mineral Mix 2 Pails
Carbonized hull 1.5
Livestock Lime 0.4
Bokashi 0.3
Ag Limestone 3.3
Gravel dust 2.0
Gypsum 0.7

158. $200.00$200.00

160. 1,500 Watts

162. Aloha Mineral Mix

164. EM Trials
Control
1 kilo Bokashi
1 kilo Bokashi, 1 kilo minerals
2 kilo Bokashi, 1 kilo minerals
3 kilo Bokashi, 1 kilo minerals
1 kilo Bokashi, 2 kilo minerals
1 kilo Bokashi, 3 kilo minerals
3 kilo Bokashi, 2 kilo minerals
3 kilo Bokashi, 3 kilo minerals
4 kilo Bokashi, 1 kilo minerals
Corn
BeansRice
RootcropLettuce
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

165. Grows microbes
Improves the crop
Promotes germination