Anyone do this? using live worms in the soil is common in composting, would it be wise to do this or not in our soil?
--I was also a little curious of this, I have even come across a grow where the guy had worms in his soil and constantly kept it wet for the worms by having water sprinkle over top the grow the whole time. But in my opinion not that i truly know but i feel like it couldn't hurt I mean the pathways created by them would be passageways for bacteria/etc, less work for the funguys and then once the sad day comes that they die I assume they would just naturally become compost for the soil, but i say take what im saying with a grain of salt I've been smoking all day since getting off work Happy Growing GK
If you can keep the conditions right for the worms and provide them with food, they'll create passageways for water and air, and leave behind castings for the plant. They'll help improve water retention and drainage as well as nutrient uptake since they're providing food for the bacteria and fungai. Do some research first, but it's a very good idea.
I might not recommend bloodworms in particular but I've had worm colonies living in my soil for years - red worms/composting worms. I didn't add them on purpose but it was inevitable whereas I add homemade vermicompost into my soil, so some worms and plenty of cocoons end up in the mix by default. Now that they are there I like them being there. They are naturally in farm soil and are supposed to be there. They are the sign of a healthy soil. As stated above the benefits are great - air and water pathways, fresh castings and even the worm slime is a huge benefit, adding everything from calcium to bacteria into the party. Do it. J
I wouldn't really go for bloodworms.. wikipedia : Most bloodworms seem to be parasitic so I wouldn't suggest it.
They will eat things in the soil and leave fresh castings. I always thought they would eat through the roots but if jerry says its fine your good
Son of Man, they will "eat" through your organic soil just as they would your lawn or garden soil - just another composter like the bacteria in your soil that will speed up nutrient cycling plus all the other aeration and slime benefits etc. Miggs, red worms or earthworms won't eat through plant roots - they work with plant roots; not against them. They only process decaying organic matter, not living plant roots. But - here's some interesting discussion amongst vegetable gardeners - http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/organic/msg1118230921126.html And a nice article about how worms can hell your soil - http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/resources/soils/biology/earthworms Anyhow - I honestly believe that worms know what is alive and what is dead OM and will always go for the dead OM. J