Breeding California worms as a business. Biohumus production at home: components, technology. California worms - breeding at home

Biohumus is a granular bioactive fertilizer obtained from organic waste processed by the red Californian worm. Its use ensures good development of plants, increase in yields by 30-70%. Knotted fruits are less affected by diseases. They differ in more tender pulp, pronounced taste and aroma. The production of biohumus at home is not particularly difficult and does not require significant costs.

Properties and composition of biohumus, its advantages

Biological humus is a fertilizer that is superior in composition and nutritional value to ordinary compost and manure. Its addition to the soil in a ratio of 10-20% to the total volume allows you to improve the soil that is depleted or contains a large amount of salts. In the process of processing, there is a complete disinfection of organic masses, their purification from helminth eggs. Biohumus contains many useful components in an optimally balanced form:

• Mineral elements in a form well absorbed by plants.
• Enzymes. They provide the transformation of organic residues into nutrient compounds.
• Substances that prevent the reproduction of pathogens.
• Phytohormones. They improve the growth and stress resistance of plants.

This type of environmentally friendly fertilizer contains 4-8 times more humus than cow dung or compost obtained from plant residues. Its advantages include good moisture capacity, friability, compatibility with other types of organic fertilizers, no need to use significant energy costs in the production and application process. The possibility of selling surplus products allows you to recoup the costs and receive a certain income.

Components for biohumus production

Before you start the production of biohumus at home, you should prepare the substrate for vermicompost and the necessary inventory items. The composition of the substrate includes:

1. rotted cow dung and
2. Leaves of plants in fermented (silage) or dried form (hay).
3. Vegetable peelings, leftovers from unused products.
4. Overripe sawdust, tree leaves.
5. Peat and lime (2% of the total weight of the mixture) to improve the quality of the vermicompost.

California worms are also needed for biohumus, the function of which is the processing of the nutrient mixture. As an inventory, you will need boxes made of wooden planks or plastic, a spatula for a set of substrate, a sieve with cells with a diameter of 2 mm.

Features of growing Californian worms

California worms outwardly practically do not differ from ordinary earthworms. But they carry out the processing of organic substances into a form convenient for assimilation by plants much faster. When using them, you can get ready-made fertilizer in 1-1.5 weeks. The cost of one individual varies in different regions of the country: from 25 kopecks to 1 ruble. The following rules should be observed when using vermicompost for the preparation:

• Breeding at home requires maintaining certain temperature values. Its lower limit should not be lower than + 4 ° C, and the upper one - above 40 ° C. Lower and higher values ​​can lead to the death of biological material.
• In winter, the worms are placed in containers with a nutrient substrate and brought into a room with the required air temperature or covered with insulating material. It ensures the free flow of air into the soil mixture.
• For the normal life of this species of invertebrates, it is necessary to maintain the humidity of the compost heap at the level of 70-80% by regular irrigation with water in hot weather. In addition, they should be protected from the direct rays of the sun by placing them in the shade.

To prevent the death of Californian worms in severe frosts, covering the place of their keeping with the advent of autumn with a layer of compost 40 cm thick or more will allow. After snow falls, additional protection will be provided by warming the embankment with a thick snow cover.

Substrate preparation

The production of biohumus at home requires special preparation of the substrate before launching worms into it. First, a wooden box, a plastic container or a recess in the ground is prepared. It is recommended that their depth be from 70 to 100 cm. It is possible to prevent the penetration of technological worms outside the pit by finishing its bottom and walls with some natural material.

Then, a mixture prepared from well-rotted manure, ripened compost, rotten plant tops, and food waste is placed in a container or pit. The substrate must mature. To do this, it is kept for the required time, regularly moistened with warm water and stirred every 2-3 days. Initially, under the influence of the processes taking place in the mixture, the temperature will rise to 40-50 ° C. At the end of the fermentation of the components, its values ​​decrease and remain stable.

Vermicultivation technology

When the substrate is fully ripened, Californian is launched into it at home, allowing you to get them in sufficient quantities for the desired volume of the mixture. The laying rate is 700-1500 pieces per cubic meter of substrate. You can determine the suitability of the mixture for launching worms by first placing 50 individuals in it. If they feel good, add the rest, evenly distributing over the surface of the substrate.

The acidity of the prepared mixture should be in the range of 6-8 points. Periodic gentle loosening will provide free access to the inner layers of the air necessary for the worms to breathe. Regular irrigation with settled water heated to 20 ° C will create a fairly humid environment. To maintain optimal temperatures and humidity of the substrate, the container is covered with a layer of straw.

Collection of vermicompost

During the first 1-2 months, the worms adapt to the new environment. Then they begin to actively multiply and process the components of the mixture into biohumus. Every 10 days, additional application of a nutrient substrate is necessary as a top dressing. After 3-4 months, you need to check the number of worms. If it has increased significantly, you can begin to separate them and use the finished fertilizer for its intended purpose.

There are 2 ways to free the vermicompost from the worms in it. One of them uses sifting the substrate through a sieve. The worms are then transferred to another container. In the second method, the introduction of top dressing is delayed for several days. Then pour a new portion of the substrate on the surface of the box. When the hungry worms rise up, they are separated and moved to another place.

Application of vermicompost

The production of vermicompost at home presents a certain benefit. It can be used not only for fertilizing a personal or summer cottage, but also for sale. To reduce the cost of obtaining this environmentally friendly and highly effective material will allow the presence of pets that provide the technological process with a sufficient amount of manure.

Surplus vermicompost can be sold to neighbors in the country, farmers. With a significant volume of production - on the market or in bulk in your own online store. Worms can be in demand by fish or poultry farms. In order to sell biohumus, the price for 1 kg of which ranges from 10 to 20 rubles, it should be offered to potential buyers in a package that is convenient for use.

Product packaging

Dry vermicompost is packed in polyethylene bags. In the manufacture of liquid humus in a concentrated form, the best option is bottling in plastic bottles. Like the widely used "Em" preparations, they contain many beneficial soil microorganisms that improve soil fertility and ensure high yields in the most environmentally friendly ways.

When packing in bags, biohumus should be pre-weighed. The price for 1 kg can be indicated on the label or not affixed to the wholesale sales of the material. The cost of goods in different regions varies significantly. As well as liquid preparations "Em", it is desirable that the packaged vermicompost contains instructions outlining the properties of the material and the rules for its use.

Instructions for use

Vermicompost is in demand not only for growing fruits and vegetables. It is widely used in floriculture, to restore depleted soil that has lost its natural properties. It can also be used to reduce the number of harmful insects, since the microorganisms that make up the preparation are able to break down the chitin of their external skeleton.

In what quantities and how best to apply biohumus - the instruction covers in detail all the issues that arise when using fertilizer. The time of its introduction into the ground is not limited. The drug has a prolonged action, giving good results for several years. Concentrated biohumus is diluted three times. It is recommended to add it to water when watering plants and spraying trees.

Application features

The drug is used for the preparation of soil mixtures. Biohumus is especially useful for seedlings. It is enough to add 1 part of the product to 3-5 parts of peat. Before planting the grown plants in the ground, about 150 g of fertilizer should be added to the wells, mixed with the ground. The planted bushes are watered abundantly, and the soil surface around the seedling is mulched with a small layer of biohumus.

It is possible to protect plants from damage by insect pests by introducing the agent into the soil or by surface treatment of their vegetative parts with its aqueous solution. A good effect is given by regular feeding of vegetable crops, trees, shrubs, flowers. For these purposes, it is enough to apply 0.5 kg of biohumus per 1 m 2 for plants every 30 days.

Using vermicompost for soil restoration

Biohumus in a short time increases the nutritional value of the soil, supplementing it with a complex of substances necessary for the good development of plants. The soil microorganisms contained in it contribute to the transformation of plant and animal residues into easily digestible compounds.

The addition of biohumus to the soil that has lost its fertility due to the immoderate application of chemicals increases the content of useful elements in it, improves the structure of the soil, and neutralizes high acidity. This allows you to create an environment in which those involved in the formation of the fertile soil layer are able to live. Increasing the concentration of humus most directly affects the quantity and quality of the crop.

Why do they keep and breed such seemingly unattractive creatures as earthworms?

Mainly for the production of biohumus. Biohumus is a valuable organic fertilizer, the main life product of worms. The worms themselves can also be used as food for various domestic animals (fish, amphibians and reptiles, as well as for some species of birds and rodents). But, since my pets (cat and Japanese finches) categorically refused to eat worms, I keep worms exclusively for biohumus. The bulk of the worm population lives in my summer cottage. There is equipped with a special worm shelter, which is covered with spruce branches and film for the winter. But I also keep some of the worms in a city apartment.

They live in a terrarium, in the bottom of which a certain number of holes have been made so that excessive moisture does not accumulate. Naturally, the terrarium must stand on some kind of pallet. The terrarium is in a dark corner under the table, because the worms do not like light.

Worms feed on almost any organic matter - potato peels, various kinds of kitchen waste, used tea and coffee brewing, bread crusts, soaked newspapers, and so on. Do not abuse citrus fruits (lemon, orange and tangerine peels), they strongly acidify the substrate. It is also better to refrain from using animal waste - meat, egg white and yolk, etc. - mainly for two reasons, firstly, because of the unpleasant smell that occurs when animal protein decomposes, and secondly, if you breed worms in the country, meat and other animal waste can attract rats and mice. Worms do not eat animal fats (milk, etc.).

Some say it's not worth feeding animal protein to worms because worms are vegetarians. But they are more scavengers than vegetarians. In my opinion, decomposed vegetable protein is not very different from decomposed animal protein. Although it is possible that worms prefer vegetable protein, they are also able to eat animal protein. After all, they feed on the simplest nematodes. There are very few animals in nature that have strict dietary restrictions; there are very few absolute vegetarians or absolute predators. Cats and dogs, being predators, eat grass with pleasure. Cows, along with grass, absorb a sufficient amount of animal protein in the form of insects and other small animals. The absence of strict restrictions on food allows animals to adapt to changing environmental conditions. An example is pigs, whose ancestors are known to have been carnivores. But back to worms.

From time to time, worms need to be given eggshells and fine sand. Sand serves worms as well as pebbles for chickens - to improve digestion. Of course, all food given to worms must be minced or ground in some other way, since worms do not have teeth and cannot chew food. To all this, one should not forget about watering, since with a substrate moisture content of less than 35%, the worms will die within a week. Under no circumstances should chlorinated water be used for irrigation. Chlorine is poison for worms. Either rainwater or well-settled water is used.

I add food periodically in small layers. When the terrarium is full, I transplant the worms with part of the old substrate into another terrarium, and start all over again. And biohumus from the old terrarium is ready for use. Worms can be transplanted manually, but this is a rather tedious task. It is better to stop feeding the worms for a while, let them get hungry. Then put on top straw cutting or torn paper soaked in a sugar solution. You can use the pulp of vegetables and fruits. In two or three days, most of the hungry worms will rise up to the new food, from where they can be collected. In a day, one worm is able to process an amount of organic matter equal to its own weight. And the average weight of an earthworm is 0.5 g. I don’t presume to say what should be the optimal density of worms in a wormhole (terrarium). Under natural conditions, the density of worms is from 100 to 20,000 individuals per square meter.
I use biohumus produced by worms for indoor flowers and for seedlings. This way I save money and get a product that I am confident in. Because you can never tell exactly where the land you bought from the store comes from. From the items that I found in bags with flower and garden soil, one could make a fairly extensive exposure - stones, sticks, bones, and even a whole anthill with live ants and ant eggs. If you use biohumus for indoor flowers, then individual worms or their cocoons may accidentally get into the flower pot. Some flower growers, for some reason, are afraid of this. However, worms cannot bring any harm to flowers. They do not gnaw on roots, because, as I said, they do not have teeth. They can only eat a rotten root, but with rotten roots, the plant will die without worms. But if you don't like to know that there are worms in your flower pot, then it's easier to just pick them by hand than to try to poison them with something or, as some advise, lower the pot into water and wait for the worms to choke. So you can only destroy the plant. Worms can live in water for quite a long time (up to a week).

Some unpleasant moments that may arise when breeding worms.

This is, firstly, the smell of the waste that you feed the worms, and, secondly, the appearance of all kinds of extraneous insects. Ready biohumus has no unpleasant odor, it smells like ordinary earth. In addition, worms secrete certain substances that serve as a kind of deodorant. However, freshly laid food that the worms have not yet begun to eat may emit an odor. Much here depends on the type of food, soaked newspapers or tea leaves do not emit a special smell, and coffee leaves even have a quite pleasant smell. But if there is animal protein in the food, the smell can be quite nasty. In this case, the new feed should be sprinkled with ready-made vermicompost. Some, however, use EM preparations, such as Baikal or Vozrozhdenie, to combat unpleasant odors. Personally, in the fall I bring a certain amount of land from the dacha and periodically sprinkle the substrate with it. I think that this is not bad for seedlings either, since biohumus in its properties approaches the soil in which seedlings are to grow in summer.
As for insects, Drosophila, sometimes podura, are most often planted in the substrate. By themselves, these creatures are completely harmless. They cannot harm worms. Rather the opposite. After all, it is known that worms feed on the simplest nematodes, bacteria, fungal spores and other microflora and microfauna. True, whether worms eat eggs and larvae of fruit flies or fools, I don’t know. Be that as it may, it is unlikely that anyone will like the presence of various midges in the apartment. Since the appearance of these insects is primarily associated with the increased humidity of the substrate with which you feed the worms, you can fight them by reducing watering (however, without stopping completely, so as not to kill the worms). As I was told on one forum, you can use sticky tape for flies to kill fruit flies, if you stick it in strips on the lid of the terrarium. Podur can be caught on a piece of raw potatoes. They love her very much and gather on her in large numbers. Do not use pesticides, you can poison the worms.

Where to get worms?
1. buy red Californian worms.
2. buy specially bred Russian (for example, Vladimir)
3. dig up in the garden, in the forest, collect on the street after rain.

Before discussing these three options, I will make one important digression. Whichever option you choose, you will still not be able to find exactly the same food for the worms that they are used to. And the main advantage of keeping worms is that you can get valuable fertilizer from your free waste. There are different opinions about how easily worms switch to a new food. Professor Igonin used to be of the opinion that worms get used to new food rather hard. Some of his colleagues believe that this is not such a significant issue. Yes, and Anatoly Mikhailovich himself (after he started selling "Vladimir Prospectors" :) now speaks not so categorically. Judging by my own experience, I can say that it is still not worth it to abruptly transfer worms to a new food. You can lose if not the entire population, then most of it. Well, if by this time the worms have already laid cocoons. Young, newly born worms get used to the food that they tried at birth. If it is nevertheless necessary to transfer the worms to a new food, then this should be done gradually, gradually mixing it into the old one.
From this point of view, consider all three of the above options. Since the ability to adapt to new conditions depends to a large extent on the worms themselves. If you decide to buy "Californians", then make sure that they sell you really Californian worms, and not ordinary ones dug up right here under the fence. Sometimes, under the guise of juvenile worms, a nematode is sold. The seller must have a permit to sell worms issued by the quarantine authority. Red California worms have high productivity, but are quite picky about the substrate and the conditions of detention. They are suitable only for home maintenance, that is, they live only in warmth. If you want to settle them in the country, then most likely they will freeze in the first winter. As for the Vladimir worms, they are undoubtedly more adapted to our conditions. This is a good option if you don't mind spending money on worms. If you are going to keep worms not only at home, but also in the country, or only in the country, then, in my opinion, it is better for you to dig them up in a nearby forest or in a field. And move them to your worm house. These will be the worms most adapted to your conditions. Do not forget to just dig them up along with the ground, and gradually add your new food to this ground. The most adaptable of those that I have seen, in my opinion, are the Moscow worms, which I picked up on the street after the rain. Apparently they are so accustomed to living in difficult urban conditions and eating all sorts of rubbish that they are not so easy to lime.
Well, in a nutshell, that's all. Read more about worms in A.M. Igonina "How to increase soil fertility tenfold with the help of earthworms."

Dmitry Lyalin.

More about biohumus

Composition of biohumus and its properties
The main product of compost processing with the help of technological worms is the humus organic fertilizer biohumus - worm compost.

Biohumus of 50% humidity contains 12-15% of humus.
The agrochemical value of dry biohumus is as follows:
. humus - 25-35%;
. nitrogen - 0.8-2%;
. phosphorus - 0.8-2%;
. potassium - 0.7-1.2%;
. magnesium - 0.3-0.5%;
. calcium - 2-3%;
. acidity pH = 6.9-7.2;
. microflora - 2*10**12 cells/g;
. fulvic, humic acids;
and all this in a balanced way.

Biohumus It is also a microbiological fertilizer. Its introduction improves the soil. Biocompost exceeds manure and composts in humus content by 4-8 times. Biohumus contains a large amount of enzymes, vitamins, soil antibiotics, plant growth hormones and other biologically active substances. Duration of action of a biohumus - 5 years.

Unlike manure, biohumus does not have inertia - plants react immediately to it. When using biohumus, the growing season of plants is reduced by 1.5-2 weeks. It is proved that the humates contained in biohumus are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-mutagenic, non-toxic for embryos. Biohumus does not contain weed seeds. Biohumus has no smell, it is pleasant to hold it in hands.
During storage, biohumus can even dry out, but will not lose its qualities.

The use of biohumus
Biohumus can be applied in the spring for digging, it can be poured into seedling holes, in rows for sowing seeds.

Biohumus is added to planting mixtures for growing seedlings and indoor plants.

It is impossible to “oversalt” the soil with biohumus, the more you apply, the better.

Biohumus can be infused in water and watered with infusion of plants.

The use of mineral fertilizers mixed with biohumus is exceptionally effective.

Biohumus application rates
Since biohumus has to be saved, its application rates are as follows:
. when planting seedlings in the ground, add 1-2 handfuls of biohumus to the hole;
. when planting tomato seedlings, add 0.5-1 liters of biohumus to the hole;
. for potatoes 0.5-1 liters of biohumus with each potato;
. mulch the soil under the cucumbers with biohumus with a layer of 1-2 cm;
. mulch the soil under the strawberries with biohumus with a layer of 1-2 cm;
. do not dig the soil under fruit trees, but annually mulch with a layer of vermicompost 2-3 cm;
The company "Master Ground", which supplies biohumus fertilizer, recommends the following application rates:
. flowers - 0.5-1.5 kg / sq.m;
. vegetables - up to 2 kg/sq.m or 150 g/rm;
. berry - 0.5-1.0 kg per bush;
. fruit - 1-2 kg for each tree;

Water infusion of biohumus
An aqueous infusion of biohumus is used for soaking seeds, watering seedlings, indoor plants, garden crops.
Mix 1 cup of dry humus fertilizer in 1 bucket of water and let stand for a day. The water takes on the color of tea. The sediment can be used to fertilize indoor flowers.
The resulting infusion soaked the seeds of cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes for 12 hours.

For watering plants, the infusion is diluted with two more parts of water.

Effectively spraying plants with infusion. Fruit trees and shrubs are sprayed after flowering, when the ovary falls off, during the period of fruit growth and the laying of flower buds (in early August). When spraying fruit trees and bushes with biohumus infusion in combination with mulching the soil under the crowns with biohumus, a layer of 1-2 cm, their fruiting becomes regular.

Spraying flower crops three times with an interval of one week accelerates flowering by 1-1.5 weeks.

Soil composition
The basis of the soil - soil minerals make up 80-90% of the weight. They, as a rule, contain almost the entire periodic table, but in a form not available to plants. The smallest particles or flakes of minerals form clay soils, larger ones form loams, and even larger ones form sandy loams and sands. The smallest particles that form clay minerals are in the form of flakes, so their total surface is huge and they are able to hold element ions on their surface in a form accessible to plant nutrition. Some soil microorganisms, with sufficient moisture and heat, are able to dissolve the mineral particles themselves, making the chemical elements bound in them available to plants.
Clay is potentially fertile soil. Tatyana Ugarova calls it "practically inexhaustible clay minerals".
Another component of the soil is organic matter, and its most valuable part is humus - the smallest colloidal particles of organic matter, which have an even larger surface and even better retain element ions, in a form accessible to plant nutrition. Humus is a storehouse of basic nutrients. Small clay and humus particles form compounds of the clay-humus complex, which retains nutrients. That is why it is so important to add some loam to the compost heap.
The third component of the soil is its living component - a community of various soil microorganisms - bacteria, fungi, ciliates, amoebas, algae, microscopic worms, etc. Their biomass in the upper 25 cm soil layer can reach 1.0-1.5 kg / sq. Meter soil and more. Soil microorganisms play the main role in the formation of soil fertility. The majority of microorganisms are bacteria.

Features of light soil
Light sandy soils are easily washed, soluble nutrients, along with water, go to great depths and are lost to plants. Therefore, such soils usually lack potassium, magnesium, and trace elements. But fertilizers should be applied to sandy soils not in autumn, but in spring (main dressing) and summer (in the form of dressings), but at half the dose than on clay soils. Such soils dry out quickly, but are well aerated. Organic fertilizers on sandy soils quickly overripe (mineralize), so they need to be applied more and more often.
Sandy soils are less suitable for gardening than loamy ones. To improve the cohesion of sandy soils, in addition to manure, peat and compost are introduced. If possible, claying is carried out - surface application of clay, loam. When planting orchards in the planting pits of fruit trees, it is very effective to make 2-3 screens of clay composts with manure with a layer of 2-4 cm every 20 cm.

Heavy soil and stagnant water
If there is little organic matter in heavy clay soils, they pass water very poorly. They can accumulate excess carbon dioxide, and although carbon dioxide dissolves some minerals, excess carbon dioxide harms plants.
If there are poorly permeable soil layers at depth, then even small depressions on the soil surface can cause stagnant water in the soil. The same thing happens when there is a close level of groundwater. Stagnant waters displace air from the soil, resulting in souring (gleying) of the soil, which is expressed in the appearance of blue spots with a high content of substances harmful to plants. Beneficial soil microorganisms are inhibited, and harmful anaerobic microflora develops. But if the garden is located on a slope and the water moves slowly through the layers of soil, then there are no negative consequences.

Mandatory digging before winter, loosening and systematic introduction of organic matter - manure, peat, compost, and for acidic soils, the introduction of lime improves the permeability and structure of clay soils.

Soil structure
The soil rich in microorganisms is glued together by mineral and organic colloidal particles into small lumps that do not fit tightly to each other, which allows air to penetrate deep into the soil, and water not to linger on the surface and wet the soil. Clay rich in humus crumbles into small lumps. The passages of microscopic and earthworms, the cavities of dead plant roots also improve the aeration and permeability of the soil.

The addition of lime to heavy clayey acidic soil also improves its permeability and structure.

Soil microorganisms
Some soil microorganisms decompose organic matter introduced into the soil, promote the formation of humus, make nutrients available to plants, others bind atmospheric nitrogen, synthesize organic compounds, and the following convert these compounds into forms available to plants. Soil microorganisms convert phosphorus into a soluble state, even decompose minerals, and first of all, practically inexhaustible clay minerals, delivering the entire "Mendeleev's table" to plants. Some plants are unable to develop normally without a certain microflora. As a result of the vital activity of beneficial soil microorganisms, the soil becomes structural, crumbly.

The life span of bacteria and other soil microorganisms can be very short - from days to several hours. If there is food, it is warm and humid - they multiply very quickly, and die off very quickly if the "food" is over. But their biomass and waste products make up the same "nutrient broth" for plants, which includes not only simple compounds for plant nutrition, but also amino acids, vitamins, auxins, antibiotics and many other nutrients and plant growth stimulants.

Most beneficial soil microorganisms thrive in a slightly acidic and neutral soil pH of 6.5-7.0 in the presence of moisture, air and heat in the range of approximately 15-30°C. Organic matter is essential for the nutrition of soil microorganisms. There are two ways for organics to enter the soil - root excretions of plants with post-harvest residues and the introduction of organics into the soil from the outside, in the form of compost, manure, green manure, etc.

Root selections
Plants do not remain indebted to microorganisms - living plants feed soil microorganisms with their root secretions, and not just dying post-harvest residues, although the roots also make up about a third of the plant's mass. Tatyana Ugarova gives a figure - up to 20% of the total mass of plants are root secretions. The composition of root secretions includes organic acids, sugars, amino acids and much more. According to T. Ugarova, a strong plant abundantly feeds soil microorganisms, while mass reproduction of the rhizosphere (root) beneficial microflora occurs. Moreover, plants stimulate the development of predominantly such microflora that nourishes plants, produces plant growth stimulants, and suppresses microflora harmful to plants.
Composting is an art
- this is how they now evaluate the exceptional importance of compost for the garden. Unfortunately, we still pay very little attention to the correct preparation of compost (if at all). And properly prepared compost is the basis, the guarantee of the future harvest.
When making compost, it is important to add some loam (clay garden soil). Loam also serves as a source of soil microorganisms - "sourdough" and binds nutrients formed during the maturation of compost as part of clay-humus complexes. In particular, clay-humus complexes arise when soil particles are mixed in the intestines of an earthworm, which is why the effectiveness of worm compost - biohumus, which is also enriched with beneficial microflora from the worm's stomach, is so great.
Briefly, the sequence of layers of the compost heap: 15-20 cm of grass and similar waste, sprinkled with ash, dolomite or lime 300-600 g/sq. meter, and sprinkle everything with clay garden soil - approximately a 2 cm layer. And so several times. Compost should be watered through a sprayer (you can use a watering can) so that the pile is constantly wet.
The addition of compost to the surface of the beds enriches the soil with microorganisms, revitalizes it, and does not at all come down to a simple conversion to N-P-K (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) nutrients. Be sure to compost your garden!

It is curious that in the Mitlider method using bottomless boxes filled with a mixture of sawdust and sand, by the end of the first season, the sawdust turns into crumbly, loose earth rich in humus, saturated with soil microorganisms, which, in terms of its effect on the main soil and plants, is very similar to a compost layer. in the garden! (But remember - you can’t dig up fresh sawdust with the soil!)
Beds after harvest
Do not leave loose, humus-rich soil bare, not covered with plants or a layer of organic mulch, which provide food for soil bacteria and create conditions for their vital activity, protect the soil from drying out and weathering. Therefore, if you have bare beds left after harvesting, sow any crop as a ground cover, like green manure. In the spring, mow the plants - put the tops in the compost, and the roots remaining in the beds, which have absorbed the nutrients, will give them to the soil, preserving its fertility.

conclusions
. All beds, including Mitlider's narrow soil beds, need the introduction of humus - well-rotted manure or compost, biohumus, which enrich the soil with beneficial soil microflora and humus, which increases the soil's ability to retain nutrients.
. Thus, the combination of organic and complex mineral fertilizers can increase soil fertility faster than the use of each type of fertilizer separately.
. Vegetables are most beneficial when grown without nutritional deficiencies. But over time, there may be a nutritional deficiency of any macro and micro elements, even if at first everything was in abundance. Each locality may have its own lack of macro and micro elements. Therefore, top dressing with corrective fertilizers is necessary.
. Most beneficial soil microorganisms thrive in a slightly acidic and neutral soil pH of 6.5-7.0, with moisture, air and heat in the range of approximately 12-30°C.
. Very light, sandy soil needs the introduction of peat and clay - claying, peaty - sand and loam. Excess water should be drained by drainage work.
. The ground should not be left bare - the soil should be covered with either plants (or lawn) or a layer of organic mulch. An extremely important role in the enrichment of the soil with microorganisms is the introduction of compost and manure humus into the beds.

Numerous fishing enthusiasts are well aware of such an indispensable attribute of their hobby as Californian red worms, but even the most avid of them do not always know what exactly is called what they use as bait. And even more so, they do not suspect that they can be used not only in this capacity, but also in at least several others.

Types of earthworms

Let's start with the fact that worms are the most common type of invertebrates on the entire planet, and their habitat does not include Antarctica. In fact, there are a huge number of their types and subspecies. Biologists distinguish three main categories, depending on the behavior of worms in their natural environment. These are Anecic, Endogeic and Epigeic.

The first species "prefers" existence on the surface of the soil, and these worms dig deep into the holes, usually vertically down. The main food for this species is organic matter, which they process into humus. This category is characterized by an instant extinction of activity and the ability to reproduce when moving from the usual habitat to any other, including artificial, which, for example, is necessary when breeding them. This variety plays a crucial role in soil formation, and its practical use is limited to natural soil formation without human intervention. Plus anglers use it as bait.

The second type "prefers" a more mineralized soil, in which there is much less organic matter. Worms of this category dig horizontal holes, do not like the surface and need constant processing of the soil. Thus, they saturate the earth with various nutrients, enriching it for further use by vegetation, and also increase its oxygen content. The use of this variety of earthworms is also mostly uncontrolled and is mostly natural.

The third type is the one that will be discussed in the article, since it is Californian worms, as they are also called, that can easily endure artificial living conditions, and their use has a specific economic benefit. This species prefers the top layer of soil for life, and to be more precise, all kinds of organic matter, which it is so rich in. These are leaves, the remains of trees, bark and so on. Californian worms do not dig deep and branched systems of passages.

The popularity of this species from an economic point of view is due to the possibility of its breeding in artificial habitats. The main factor is only the presence of a sufficient amount of organic material, which is quite easy to implement, as well as the absence of the need to use a deep layer of soil. Breeding California worms involves a number of important technical issues that should be considered.

Worm business

To understand the basics of worm breeding, it is necessary to give several definitions used by professionals in this field of activity.

Compost is a fertilizer obtained from organic waste as a result of their decomposition with the direct participation of microorganisms. The most common sources for its manufacture are peat, manure, bird droppings, foliage and a variety of garden waste.

Vermicompost, or biohumus, is a product of compost processing by earthworms, bacteria and some other organisms. In particular, California worms can be used as a result of certain breeding work to improve the overall quality of the fertilizer output from the production activity.

The production of vermicompost is the main driving force behind the worm breeding business, as this product is in certain demand. And not only within the framework of the domestic segment of agricultural activity, but even abroad, which should also be considered when preparing plans for the development of one's own business in this area. And although such a business may include the very distribution of worms and their cocoons as a completely self-sufficient part of it, biohumus is the most profitable investment.

Using vermicompost

The most common application of this fertilizer is associated with the cultivation of various vegetable crops. This applies not only to greenhouse forms like tomatoes or cucumbers, but also potatoes. The increase in yield achieved with the use of vermicompost reaches 40%. Biohumus is also extremely effective in growing strawberries, wild strawberries and other types of berries cultivated in various regions. At the same time, they are characterized by an increase in productivity up to 60%. Obviously, the use of this fertilizer is in good demand, which means that it can be easily sold and made money on it.

We should not forget about the rich importers of vermicompost. For example, the countries of the Arab world, in particular the UAE, widely use vermicompost for growing various crops, collecting up to three crops per season. At the same time, they pay well for high-quality vermicompost. Thus, the cost of one ton of products fluctuates in the range of 2 thousand dollars. In Europe, biohumus is bought for 600 euros, which also looks very attractive. In Russia, these products are not so valuable, for example, a forty-liter package costs about 400 rubles. That is, with a competent approach to advertising and sales, you can still earn money by selling vermicompost. However, to get into this market, you will have to work hard and not only earn a good name, but also create a really effective production structure.

Main economy

Since the article deals with the cultivation of the California worm, you should know the main advantages of its use from an economic point of view. And although there is an opinion among the people about the incredible characteristics of this variety, this should not be led. Advertising activities in this area really inflate the numbers to incredible proportions. California red worms are reported to live up to 15 to 16 years, which is a common misconception. In fact, the life expectancy of individuals does not differ much from that of their domestic relatives, amounting to a period of 5-6 years.

California worms allegedly exist in temperature conditions from 2 to 40 degrees. This is also not true, their activity practically disappears already at 35 degrees, not to mention the fact that at 4 degrees they begin to die. In general, all advertising tricks are quite obvious. Despite all this, the Californian worm still has some advantages over its domestic counterparts, so it is profitable to buy it just to create your own business.

Real Pros

Among the widely advertised pluses that really take place, one can mention activity even in the winter season, which cannot be said about the rain variety, as well as the compactness of the populations that Californian worms prefer to live in (by the way, their photo can be seen at the beginning of the review).
In addition, it is necessary to note the higher level of reproduction of this species in comparison with the usual one. And although advertising exaggeration also takes place here, the figures are called almost ten times, in fact this figure is somewhere in one and a half to two times higher. So California worms still have obvious advantages, which determines the choice of many zealous hosts.

Breeding

The breeding process can be considered in two main forms: in the industrial, when it is necessary to work with a large number of individuals, and at home, when an ordinary garden plot can also become a source of good income.

Breeding California worms involves the proper organization of activities and following certain guidelines. Consider the main points of creating your own business, first within the garden plot, and then in an industrial setting.

gardening

The California worm is purchased in the form of either adults, or fry, or in cocoons, depending on the season, financial possibilities, etc. In the garden plot, it is necessary to prepare a square pit a meter per meter and a depth of about 70 cm. So that the worms do not set off to explore the expanses of a garden partnership, you should tamp its lower surface and cover the walls with boards. The nutrient medium, or, as it is also called, the substrate with worms, falls into the pit and is carefully leveled with a pitchfork. Then a layer of simple substrate is added. To obtain vermicompost, it is necessary to carry out the so-called extract of worms.

Naturally, several weeks must pass before obtaining biohumus of normal quality, so that the worms have time to process the nutrient medium. The hood is the addition of a substrate layer on top, its thorough loosening, after which the worms crawl out into this upper layer. Next, you need to carefully remove this layer, saturated with them, and transfer it to a new hole to continue the cycle of creating vermicompost. The average extraction time is about three to four weeks.

The resulting layer of recycled compost is sieved, dried, after which it can be sold at a price that an enterprising businessman can negotiate with a fertilizer customer. Well, the worms continue their labor activity in the next pit, performing a cycle of developing new products. This is how Californian worms are mainly used at home.

Another important point is the production of the substrate. The waste at hand is shredded. It can be paper, straw, tops or any other organic filler. The resulting mass is located near the pit and is watered with liquid manure. The humidity to be created is about 80%. Checking whether this mass is sufficiently moistened is very simple. If nearby worms do not crawl into it, you must continue to water. The substrate must be loosened once every two weeks.

From the point of view of small investments in the business, it is the Californian worm that is convenient. Breeding at home does not require serious investment, you just need a sufficient amount of patience and interest in this matter, because, obviously, you have to deal with creatures swarming in the ground and in the presence of not very pleasant smells. In any case, this is a job for true enthusiasts.

Industrial volumes

If we are talking about a professional approach to how to breed a California worm, then there are certain nuances. In the previous section, we talked about the number of individuals in 10-20 thousand pieces. When it comes to the volume of a million worms, the approach is somewhat different.

This requires from 10 to 15 square meters. meters of indoor area. The temperature to be maintained is in the range of 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. Natural ventilation and artificial lighting will be required, plus a water supply, preferably non-domestic, as chlorinated water can kill the entire population. Well or river water is quite suitable.

Careful attention should be paid to protecting the premises from rodents, which can easily destroy a large part of the colony. That is, you will need a hard coating of the floor, as well as walls. The height of the mother liquor should be from two to two and a half meters. Breeding California worms as a business is an activity that requires the same thorough preparation as any high-tech field.

You will also need to purchase racks on which trays with colonies of worms will be located. Boxes are best used perforated, made of plastic, to ensure the required level of oxygen and easy removal of excess fluid. In each tray, a population density of up to 20 thousand individuals should be planned.

To make a substrate in an enclosed space, it is necessary to spread manure or planned organic waste in a layer of 20 cm and cover with a film. The temperature should be around 55 degrees Celsius. A day later, the resulting mass must be brought to 30 degrees and moistened to 80%. The resulting substrate is laid out in boxes with a layer of 5 cm. At the same time, good ventilation should be remembered in order to remove the resulting gases from the room.

The next stage is the habituation of worms to a new climate for them, and then to the substrate. Crates of new formula are placed on top of the worm trays. The next step is simply to maintain the optimal level of humidity in the trays. When the worms process the substrate, the resulting vermicompost is separated, dried, sieved and sold to customers.

Thus, the red Californian worm, the breeding of which can be commercialized, can bring a decent income to an enterprising rural dweller.

Some technical points

The issues discussed in the article quite generally reveal an area that has a decent technology, not sticking to which means easily ruining painstaking work for many weeks. The main driving force behind the business is California worms. How to breed them is a whole layer of technology that a beginner should know, adjusting environmental conditions to the unpretentious needs of their "workers". However, there are a couple more important questions. For example, what are California worm cocoons and where can I get them?

In fact, worms lay their eggs immediately after mating. Of course, this is very different from the system used, for example, by birds, but the principle is similar. The worms copulate, after which they form a so-called cocoon in the body, which is separated and then, when opened, can contain from one to five small individuals.

There are specialized agricultural firms involved in the supply of this biomass. By the way, as part of your own worm business, you can create a branch of cocoon breeding activities. For this, there is a separate technology that an entrepreneur can also take note of and master.

The convenience of using cocoons in the worm business is due to obvious conditions. The most important thing is transportation, and in terms of breeding, also the value of this product. Therefore, this feature of the reproduction of worms should also be paid attention to when designing your own business related to their breeding.

Conclusion

As already mentioned, there is some publicity euphoria associated with the incredible qualities that the California worms supposedly possess. Public opinion varies within a fairly wide range: from laudatory to degrading. However, obviously, there are certain advantages of this type of worms over the same earthworms, especially in terms of creating your own business for breeding them. Good reproducibility, unpretentiousness, improvement in the quality of fertilizers, in the creation of which they take the most important part - this is not a complete list of pluses.

In addition, there are at least several aspects of the use of Californian worms. Firstly, this is actually the creation of vermicompost as the most valuable and sought-after product on the modern agricultural market. Moreover, the demand for it over the past few years continues to grow steadily. With the increase in production capacity, new opportunities for implementation will also appear. So, now the United Arab Emirates are purchasing biohumus for fabulous money. Of course, you will have to work hard for this, but if an entrepreneur has a desire to produce in this area, then entering the international market is quite real.

Secondly, such a business, obviously, will increase the number of worms on a makeshift farm, if, again, the owner strictly follows the technology. This means that it is possible to sell the "producer" itself, without reducing the capacity, but, on the contrary, increasing the number and improving their living conditions.

Thirdly, it is possible to deal with the supply of so-called cocoons, that is, the offspring of the population. And this is another effective way to make money in the field of worm breeding.

In general, this activity requires not only careful planning, but also a certain amount of enthusiasm and desire to mess with manure and other, to put it mildly, not the most fragrant substances. So business is unusual and for a certain circle of people it can become a source of good stable income and a way of self-expression in an attempt to make this world a little better. In addition, it does not require special investments. Of course, the size of the initial investment depends on the scope of the entrepreneur, but, as a rule, at first, the amount of a thousand dollars to open a business will be more than enough.

The importance of worms in improving soils is quite large. The realization of this predetermined a great interest in their artificial cultivation. So, as a result of many years of breeding work carried out by American researchers, in 1959 at the University of California, as a result of hybridization of various breeds of earthworm, a new variety of this species Eisenia foetida was bred, called the "California red worm hybrid" or simply "California red worm". Since 1979, it has been propagated in Western Europe, in Japan. In terms of fertility and activity, the hybrid significantly exceeds the usual earthworm and, unlike it, lends itself well to cultivation under artificial conditions.

Unlike its wild relatives, the California hybrid is a "homebody". In the presence of food, he does not spread and consumes about the same amount per day as he weighs. Breeders genetically programmed the hybrid for round-the-clock processing of waste with a high efficiency (40% of the food consumed is consumed in the process of life, and 60% after digestion is excreted in the form of excrement - coprolites, i.e. produced biohumus).

The Californian red worm differs from other species in its ability to process all types of organic matter, as well as in its very high fecundity (more than 100 times) and longevity (4 times) compared to ordinary earthworms. For two months, a population of Californian worms of 30...50 thousand individuals (biomass about 4 kg/m 2) is able to process 300...400 kg of bedding manure on each square meter of a special plantation, turning it into a highly fertile humus fertilizer. Also, the biomass of live worms is a valuable natural food for poultry and animals, pond fish. In addition, valuable protein flour (protein content of about 70%), canned food for pets and fur animals are prepared from worms. After patenting, Californian worms began to be cultivated in large American specialized farms. Thus, the German government has begun to subsidize its agricultural producers under a special program that provides for the rejection of the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers and the transfer of farms to biological methods of agricultural production using Californian worms.

The red worm of dark red color lives in areas with a temperate climate. An adult individual reaches a length of 8-10 cm, a diameter of 3-5 mm, a weight of 0.8-1 g. Body temperature is 19-20 ° C. During the day, it consumes an amount of food that is approximately equal to its weight (about 1 g), after digestion of which 0.8-0.9 g of coprolites are released. The largest particles that a worm can swallow are up to 1 mm in size.

Life expectancy - almost 16 years (wild forms - 4 years). Very prolific. Sexual maturity occurs at the age of three months and, under optimal conditions, one individual can produce an average of 1,500 individuals per year.

This worm is a hermaphrodite. Each individual has male and female reproductive organs, but cannot self-fertilize. Sexually mature individuals mutually fertilize each other. Fertilized eggs are separated from the body of the worms and placed in a protein ring, or capsule (cocoon), which is first yellow and then brown. As a result of mating of two individuals, 2 eggs or capsules are formed, 1 for each of the individuals. Each capsule contains 2 to 20 worms. The cocoons contain liquid that the young feed on by the time they hatch. The young are white.

The optimum temperature is 20-22 °C, and the critical temperature is below 0 °C and above 42 °C. At a temperature of +7 °C falls into a state of anabiosis. The optimum humidity is 75-88%, and the critical one is below 60% and above 90%.

Practice has shown that cultivated worms do not get sick and do not succumb to any epizootics. They can die only if the technology of their breeding is violated. Most often, the death of worms causes protein poisoning with incomplete fermentation of the substrate. As a result, the worm becomes "acidic" and emits noxious gases that are fatal to other worms.

Ways to grow worms.

Industrial cultivation of worms can be carried out both outdoors and indoors. All calculations related to the arrangement of sites for vermicultivation, settling and feeding worms, caring for them and other operations are performed based on a standard bed, which is called a bed. A bed is a unit of measurement used by American researchers, with a plot of 2 m 2.

The population density of one bed can vary from 30 to 100 thousand worms (adults, young and cocoons, with eggs). On 1 bed you need 10-12 centners of organic waste per year. Of these, 40% is used to meet the vital needs of worms, and 60% is allocated in the form of coprolatives, that is, biohumus. One bed gives annually 4-6 centners of biohumus and about 30-100 kg of worm biomass.

Year-round vermicultivation with beds on open land is possible only in regions with a mild climate, because in winter the activity of worms is significantly reduced, and their care becomes more complicated. And in other regions - seasonal - from April to October.

The bed is best arranged in areas with a certain slope to ensure normal water flow during rains and prevent the formation of puddles. In addition, it is desirable that the soil be sandy or rocky. Earthworms are very afraid of the wind, so you should choose places protected from it for placing lodges. To protect against pests, the bed should be arranged on metal nets with curved edges with a side height of 25 cm, concrete trays with brick walls.

Worms are kept on concreted sites or in trenches 2 m wide and 0.3-0.4 g deep. The length of the site or trenches depends on the size of the area allotted for vermicultivation. Stocks are made of galvanized metal mesh with niches. The area of ​​the bed is 2 m 2 (2 x 1 m), height is 15-30 cm. The bed is placed in sections up to 50 m long with a distance between them of 0.5-0.8 m. Each section has 25 boxes. Two sections form a sector. The distance between sectors is 2.5-3 m.

Indoors, worms can be cultivated year-round with beds placed on a concrete floor or on racks in wooden, metal, or plastic boxes arranged in tiers. It has been studied that indoors 1 m 2 of area gives twice as much biomass of worms and organic fertilizer - biohumus than outdoors.

For vermifarming, the optimal number is 1200 beds with an area of ​​at least 1 hectare.

The French company Green Prere designed a plant for vermicomposting waste. This is a cylindrical tower, which consists of 24 plastic pallets with a diameter of 230 cm, placed one on one. Pallets are filled with waste and populated with worms. The entire composting process is fully automated.

Substrate preparation for worms.

Worms feed on various organic wastes with a high cellulose content that have undergone a fermentation process. The basis of the diet for worms is manure biomass, to which a certain amount of other organic waste is added.

To obtain high-quality food for worms, the following requirements are imposed on the output organic substrate: humidity 70-80%, pH 6.8-7.2, the content of iron oxides is not more than 10%, the absence of solid parts - metal, wood, stones, glass, etc. .

For fermentation, organic waste is piled on a flat area with an acceptable slope. Burts can have different sizes: width - 1.7-2 m, length - 15-80 m and height - 1.5-2 m. It depends on the available labor force and mechanization.

Under the conditions of access of water and oxygen under the influence of aerobic microorganisms that are on the substrate (fungi, actinomycetes, bacteria), organic waste is decomposed. As a result of the hydrolytic cleavage of high-molecular compounds (proteins, fats, carbohydrates), intermediate and final low-molecular products are formed, which are consumed by worms.

The fermentation process of the substrate takes place in two temperature regimes. After laying the collars, the temperature inside the substrate rises to thermophilic values ​​(50-60°C), and then decreases to mesophilic values ​​(25-35°C) and after a few months decreases to ambient temperature. The stability of this indicator indicates the end of fermentation and the suitability of the substrate for feeding the worms. Biothermal processes that occur at a temperature of 50-60 ° C have a detrimental effect on pathogenic microflora, eggs and larvae of helminths, weed seeds, and urea and hypuric acid, which are contained in pus, decompose to ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. In addition to ammonia, a certain amount of methane is also released, which also has a detrimental effect on worms.

In summer, at high temperatures, the piles are periodically watered with water, drains, to maintain humidity at 70%.

During the passage of fermentation in the substrate, the pH of the medium is controlled. A slight fluctuation of pH from the optimum (6.8-7.2) negatively affects the growth and development of aerobic microflora, and hence the intensity of fermentation processes. Excess acidity is neutralized by adding the required amount of chalk, oil shale ash and other substances.

To ensure sufficient aeration of the substrate, which is fermented, to activate microbiological processes, to equalize the moisture content of the substrate throughout the volume, to eliminate aerobic rotting zones in the depth of the pile, it is mixed. The uneven mixing of the substrate should not exceed 10% in terms of the coefficient of moisture variation in the mass.

The full period of substrate fermentation in heaps under the natural fermentation regime depends on the type of organic waste and can last up to 6-12 months. Speed ​​up this process up to 1-3 months. possible by blowing hot steam through pipes into the substrate.

An indicator of the readiness of the substrate is the ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C: N), which should be within 20.

The feed for worms should not contain pesticides, a large amount of protein (no more than 25-30%), ammonia, methane, pathogenic microflora, eggs and helminth larvae. With a content of 40% protein in the feed, the worms die.

As practice shows, various organic wastes of both agricultural and industrial production can be food for worms. But it is best that the basis of any diet for worms is pus, to which other organic components are added in a certain proportion. Large organic waste particles must be crushed (up to 1 mm, no more).

In some farms from raising rabbits, the utilization of pus by vermiculture is carried out in this way: under the cages with rabbits, boxes are placed with a mixture of soil, crushed paper and sand enclosed at the bottom, into which worms are launched. The fresh excrement that comes from the cells is processed by the worms. The addition of sand is necessary for the normal nutrition of worms.

Chicken manure belongs to highly acidic substrates, therefore it is necessary to add crop waste or cardboard in a ratio of 1: 1 to it and ferment for 15-16 months.

When using manure biomass, it is necessary to adhere to certain conditions: pus that has not gone through the fermentation process cannot be used as a base substrate, and pus that has lain for more than 2 years after fermentation cannot be used to feed the worms.

It has been established that unfermented pus can be used to feed the worms, which is well tested for suitability (acidity, temperature, humidity, sample of 50 worms). Since it is applied in a layer of only 5 cm, i.e. there is no danger of fermentation.

Regardless of the type of substrate that is fermented, the feed should contain 20-25% cellulose in the form of chopped straw, paper, cardboard, etc.

Conditions for keeping worms in lodges.

After the formation of the beds, it is necessary to regularly monitor the physico-chemical parameters (temperature, humidity, acidity, test of 50 worms) of the feed and monitor the state of the worm population.

A new portion of feed after settling is recommended to be introduced only after 25-35 days. After that, the worms are fed regularly and only after processing the previous feed. In spring, summer and autumn after - 7-10 days, and in winter - after 25-35 days. Each new feed must be fermented and tested for quality.

New food is introduced in a layer 5-7 cm thick not on the entire surface of the bed, but first on an area of ​​1.4-1.6 m 2 (or 70-80%), and the remaining 0.4-0.6 m 2 area of ​​the bed remains free and acts as an additional insurance platform in case the new food does not meet the requirements. Worms crawl to this area, avoiding new food. If during the day there is no migration of worms, then this part of the bed area is filled with food.

It is necessary to strictly adhere to the feeding schedule for the worms and at the same time monitor the usefulness of the food, because with an insufficient amount of food, the worms crawl out of the beds, and with an excess of it, gas exchange and breathing of the worms becomes more difficult.

With insufficient activity of worms and poor eating of food, it is recommended to loosen the substrate with blunt pitchforks, preventing mixing of its different layers. This should be done systematically 1-2 times a week, which improves aeration in the bed, promotes the release of harmful gases from it and the influx of fresh air into the culture. When aeration deteriorates, the worms begin to "suffocate" and die, because they breathe the entire surface of the body.

To maintain optimal humidity in the lodges, they are periodically moistened. This is best done in the morning and evening to prevent a sharp contrast between the temperature of the water and the temperature of the contents of the lodges. During hours of high insolation, the bed should be covered with mats moistened with water.

The water used to wet worm beds must meet certain requirements. Water can be used from a well, river, canal, wells. It is necessary to carry out a chemical analysis of the water, which will be used to moisten the beds, for the presence of toxic substances in it.

Assessment of the state of the worm population.

The state of the worm population is assessed in terms of growth and development by monthly counting their numbers and determining the age composition. This is done in the following way. In different places of the bed (in a checkerboard pattern or diagonally), samples of the substrate with worms with an area of ​​10x10 cm are taken from its entire depth. All worms are selected from these samples, their number is counted and the biomass is determined (that is, they are weighed). Then the obtained average results are multiplied by 100 and thus the average number and biomass of worms per 1 m 2 is determined.

However, the increase in the mass of worms is not an unambiguous indicator. When feeding nutritious food, you can get a significant increase in the mass of worms, but they will not lay cocoons.

The reproduction of worms is affected by the density of the population. With its increase, the excitability of worms increases and stress from overpopulation negatively affects reproduction. Therefore, when breeding vermiculture, it is necessary to determine the optimal population density, which, in turn, will significantly depend on the ultimate goal - obtaining biohumus or biomass.

The intensity of reproduction of worms is also significantly influenced by food: its availability, quality, calorie content, attractiveness, and variety.

Therefore, during the quantitative accounting of the number of worms, the age composition of the population is also determined by counting separately cocoons, young and adult worms, and the average number of embryos is determined in cocoons. The ratio of different age groups gives an idea not only about the general state of the population, but also about the possible future. If the population is dominated by adult worms and cocoons over young forms, then this indicates that the conditions of vermicultivation prevent the development of embryos and the release of young. The correct analysis will make it possible to make changes in the conditions of detention and optimize the parameters of the vermicultivation process.

Technological methods of sampling worms - layer-by-layer removal of worms. Before introducing a new feed in the bed, a 5-cm layer of the previous one is removed. After 6-7 days, a layer of the same thickness is again removed, in which 50-60% of the worm population is located, and transferred to a new bed. Fresh food of the same thickness is added to the place of the removed layer. Again, after 6-7 days, this layer is removed, and it contains 25-35% of the worm population, they are also transferred to a new bed. New food is introduced again and it will contain the remains of the population, which is selected after 6-7 days. This method achieves an almost complete (95-97%) and, what is very important, painless for worms sampling of the population.

When worms process 1 ton of pus (in terms of dry biomass), up to 600 kg of biohumus is obtained with a content of 25-40% of humic substances, in which about 1% of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and all the microelements necessary for plants. The last 400 kg of organic nutrients are transformed into 100 kg of complete protein in the form of live worm biomass.

The biomass of worms contains 17-23% of dry matter and in dry matter: protein 60-80%, carbohydrates - 17%, lipids - 6-9%, mineral salts - 15%, nitrogenous extract substances - 7-16%, many enzymes, vitamins, microelements, as well as almost all amino acids, including such indispensable ones as lysine and methionine.

The biomass of worms is used in animal husbandry, human nutrition and pharmacology.

The biotechnological process of obtaining biohumus is based on the ability of worms to use organic residues, transform them in the intestinal canal and excrete them in the form of coprolites.

In the process of digestion of organic waste in the intestines of worms, humic substances are formed. They differ in chemical composition from humus, which is formed in the soil with the participation of only microflora, because in the intestines of worms, the processes of polymerization of decay products of organic substances occur and molecules of humic acids are formed, which form complex compounds with mineral components that are stored for a long time in the form of persistent formations. . The concentration of humic substances in worm coprolites is 4-8 times higher than in manure biomass. Coprolites are dense, black-brown, odorless sticks that do not cake. Coprolites form the basis of a substance called biohumus, and their granular form gives it a crumbly appearance, which is very important for soil structuring.

Biohumus or vermicompost is an organic fertilizer obtained as a result of the decomposition of organic substances by heterotrophic organisms. Its basis is coprolites of worms. In addition, microflora and microfauna, which are part of the biocenosis of the compost heap, take part in its formation.

The composition and properties of biohumus depend on the composition of the original substrate and the technology of composting - vermicultivation. Biohumus accumulates a large number of macro and microelements, vitamins, antibiotics, amino acids and beneficial microflora. Biohumus is hydrophilic, has high water resistance, moisture capacity, mechanical strength, and no weed seeds. Biohumus can hold up to 70% of water and is 15-20 times more efficient than any organic fertilizer.

Breeding worms is a profitable type of business, provided that stable sales points are found. It does not require a large start-up capital, and therefore the risks in this case are minimal. Californian worms are distinguished by fast reproduction and long life span. Breeding at home of this particular variety is the topic of today's discussion.

The California worm came about as a result of the hard work of American breeders. The year of his birth was 1959. The body of the animal is painted dark red, reaches a length of 6-9 cm, and a thickness of 3-5 mm. The red Californian worm lives four times longer than the ordinary earthworm.

California worm breeding business

To start your own business, you need to buy red worms and fill suitable containers with a specially created substrate. In nutrition, they are unpretentious and are able to adapt to the processing of almost any plant residues.

Californian earthworms differ from other earthworms in:

Long life expectancy - up to 16 years;
fertility - 500-fold or more reproduction per year;
easy adaptability to a change in diet;
increased activity in food processing.

Before creating a vermifarm at home, it is necessary to clearly understand who is interested in the products produced, and assess the level of competition in your area. The Californian worms themselves, the biohumus they produce and the extract from it (vermicai) are subject to sale. According to the value of the composition, "worm" fertilizer is hundreds of times greater than manure.

The main directions of sales of vermifarm products:

Farmers and summer residents buy fertilizers produced by worms and the worms themselves to enrich the soil.
Fishermen constantly acquire live worms to use as fish bait.
Pet shops and poultry and fish farms are interested in buying bulk quantities of nutrient worms for use as feed.

Preparing a place for California worms at home

A small home worm farm should be located in a quiet and necessarily dark place. At home, this can be a basement, a balcony, or a suitable corner of an apartment. Depending on the initial number of worms, it is necessary to choose a container that is suitable in size. Given the rapid growth in the number of California worms, you should choose a container with a margin of space or prepare additional containers to relocate some of the slippery pets.

It doesn't make much of a difference whether they're made of wood or plastic. It is important that the containers have holes for air circulation and drainage of excess water. There should be a pallet under the worm house. From above you need to cover the bed with a loose cloth.

To create a vermifarm at home, any air-permeable container is suitable

If other varieties of worms can be bred in a heap under the open sky, then this option is not very suitable for Californians. They are warm-hearted. As soon as the temperature of the earth begins to drop below the usual for Californian worms, they will begin to rise to the surface of the soil and reduce activity until they completely freeze.

Features of breeding Californian worms

Choice. The purchase of Californian worms should be taken responsibly. It is better to deal with a good vermiculture, and take the worms along with the substrate. Pay attention to the activity of animals and color: they should be mobile and red. Check that there are not only adults, but also juveniles and cocoons.

Nutrition. The nutrient layer for red worms is placed on the surface of the soil. Long laborers process the organic remains provided for their food, producing high-quality vermicompost. For feeding Californian worms, various vegetable wastes are used: peel or internal parts of vegetables and fruits, tea leaves and coffee grounds, cereals.

Feeding California worms at home

You can use a small amount of fermented milk residues and soaked cardboard and paper, but in no case should meat leftovers be used. You need to be careful with citrus fruits, which are known for their ability to acidify the earth. Carefully crushed waste should be added little by little.

Water. It is impossible to allow less than 35% of water to remain in the substrate where the worms live. Moisture stagnation is also detrimental to animals, which can be avoided by making holes in the bottom of the container. An important rule is that water from a centralized supply must be defended for a long time. This is necessary in order for the chlorine to evaporate.

Healthy know! All excess liquid that will drain into the pan is the most valuable nutrient solution for plants. This is practically vermicai, which the owners of vermifarms often prepare specifically for sale. Use the resulting liquid in a diluted form for watering indoor flowers, seedlings or adult plants.

Temperature. The California worm, as noted, is thermophilic. For successful breeding, maintain the air temperature at 15-25 ° C. If the thermometer drops below 10 ° C, the worms freeze, and at temperatures below 5 ° C, they can not be saved. The same danger exists when the temperature rises to critically high levels.

Density. To breed Californian worms, you need to purchase one, two or three families per 1 m³, each of which has about one and a half thousand individuals.

Knowing what features Californian worms have, breeding this variety of earthworms at home seems like a very promising undertaking. Businessmen claim that profitability can be increased up to 700%. Vermifarm can also be a great way to make fertilizer for the owners of farms and summer cottages for their own needs. This will significantly save money on the purchase of dressings. In any case, breeding California worms is a profitable business, whether it is a private business or part of running your own household.

Watch the video: Breeding Californian worms with your own hands !!! A fisherman's and gardener's dream!!!