Worm Digest - Re:Vermicomposting And Native Species

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redwriggler
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 1

Vermicomposting And Native Species - 2007/01/06 14:49 I recently visited my father at Kovai in Southern India, who introduced me to his brand new vermi-composting pit. He mentioned that the species was from Africa -- I suspect that it is Lumbricus Rubellus (from checking out pics on the web) but am not sure.

My question is: Does the use of vermicast from composting create any environmental concerns regarding introducing exotic species into the soil?

Any pointers would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Edmond Dantes
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A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 29

Re:Vermicomposting And Native Species - 2007/01/22 21:48 Mr. redwriggler,

I am not so sure about the L. rubellus question.

On your second question, earthworms that maybe introduced from the application of vermicompost is never a threat. First of all, these earthworms thrive well only on organic wastes. They hardly survive in agricultural soil, and if they do survive, they can hardly compete with exotic species.

Edmond

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Ber
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 1

Re:Vermicomposting And Native Species - 2007/01/26 09:40 Hello Gents,

I had this quesiton come up because we (the National Gardening Association) sell red wigglers, mostly to schools, and they're starting to ask. I did a little research and found that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has some great information. Though I would find it hard to "freeze my babies" before spreading their castings, I also don't want to further decimate the land and it's flora.

Maybe Worm Digest should consider an official position on the topic?

Invasive Earthworms in Our Forests
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialanimals/earthworms/index.html

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throid
User

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 33

Re:Vermicomposting And Native Species - 2007/03/16 09:56 I believe that just about everything in that Minnesota diatribe is Chicken Little run amuk.

Vermicomposters would do more to alleviate any perceived catastrophes than anyone "throwing left-over fish bait in the trash", or "freezing compost before using"...who could freeze all their compost (or would)???..., or "not dumping your worms in the forest" (ever know a vermicomposter who'd let a single worm get away on purpose?).

Worrying about earthworms destroying the flora, and subsequently, the forests of America should be put somewhere way down the line after nuclear holocaust, global warming, the decline of morals, ethics, and educational acumen, and the illegal invasion of our country by human aliens.

You know, somewhere down there with that old bird flu disaster that's well on its way to wiping us all out.

Puhleeze.

Throid

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Maureen

Visitor

A Juvenile Earthworm

Posts: 50

Re:Vermicomposting And Native Species - 2007/05/18 22:29 I think we should ask one of Worm Digest's great contributors, Dr. Uday Bhawalkar, who happens to live in India and works on many projects involving vermicomposting about this.

It is good that some humans take a minute to consider their actions on the environment, since man's history is one of showing disregard for plants, animals and other humans if they haven't progressed their personal wealth.

By the way, are dogs and cats native to Minnesota? What about parakeets? What if they got loose...

Maureen And up from the ground came a bigger bunch of plants, cuz worms were under there, Eisenia Fetidas, Redworms, Brewing Tea, chemical free, BLACK GOLD

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