Last April 28, 2012, the Sunvalley Ladies were invited to a Vermicast lecture held at the Pergola. Organized by Mrs Pearl Punzalan, we intrigued to attend because she said what we will learn would benefit our gardens.
The speaker was Philip Elemento, long time breeder/fertilizer entrepreneur. What he unraveled before us, initially sent us squealing! WORMS!!!!
AFRICAN NIGHT CRAWLERS, he corrected. The African Night Crawlers is a species of earthworm that is widely grown primarily because they are abundant producers of vermicast. Vermicast is the organic compost made by breeding these squirmy little things.
OK, Gross and icky, we weren't quite sold on this idea yet. Philip went on and explained that they were quite easy and cheap to maintain. AND you don't even have to touch these critters.
All you need is a plastic pail with holes on the bottom or the white plastic containers pictured above. Line your container with newspaper then dump them in, dirt and all. Sprinkle with a little water and cover. Then every few days, open the cover and sprinkle a little of your leftover cooked rice or vegetable peelings then place the cover again. Then forget about them again for a few days and repeat. The night crawlers will then go up and feed at night. No need to see them! Other than giving an occasional sprinkle of water to keep the stuff moist, that's it.
Now when you need your compost, just scoop out some and mix it with the soil of your garden. No smell either! This compost is good for all types of plants; vegetables, flowering, ornamenetal plants...
So, alright, let me try a few kilos...
We have some of this Vermicast to share at P10/kilo. Bring a container to the Homeowners' Office, preferable with holes already. Good while supplies last. Big orders (P500/box), you may contact Philip Elemento directly at 09189384718.
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The presence of earthworms in soil ecosystems is an indicator of the well being of a system. Earthworms has the unique ability to convert elements such as minerals, nutrients and microbes from soil or composting systems into an excretion that contains the vastest amount of plant nutrients, microbes and growth elements that do exist. The excretion is called vermicasts or vermicompost. The chemical and biological composition of vermicasts can be regarded as the closest resemblance of a balanced and healthy soil ecosystem. Elements and nutrients in vermicasts are also presented to plants in a more absorbable form compared to any other product in nature or industry. Earthworms also has the unique ability to convert toxic elements into complex organic compounds that is harmless to the environment. This is done by a organic conversion process inside the earthworm’s gut that is called chelation.
