[compost_tea] Re: Farming Nematodes

From: Tim Wilson <thegoodjob_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:56:56 -0000

Hello

I have a report on my webpage that bacterial feeding nematodes [I believe t=
hese are what you are after for nutrient cycling, rather than fungal feeder=
s] can be grown out in large numbers by mixing in oat flour 1:20 with your =
compost or vermicompost and keeping moist and covered for around 10 to 14 d=
ays. Both Tad and myself have had excellent results this way. I get up to 1=
00 nematodes on a slide smear using this method. I've discovered as well th=
at wheat bran (from the feed store) works just as well and is much cheaper.

Be aware that one must have nematodes in the (vermi)compost to begin with f=
or this to work. I believe it works because bacteria multiply in response t=
o the food source (and to the fungi which grows) causing a population explo=
sion of the nematodes.

In my experience, compost tea is not generally a good environment for nemat=
odes as they do not live for a long time in a straight liquid environment.

If you have protozoa in your (vermi)compost they will multiply, usually bet=
ween 24 and 36 hours in compost tea. You can encourage them with a bit of a=
lfalfa meal or other grass sources as Evan mentioned. I found that sphagnum=
 peat moss also helps.

Tim

--- In compost_tea_at_yahoogroups.com, "cpp_rj" <cpp_rj_at_...> wrote:
>
> What's a great way to farm nematodes? Shall I say harvest? I know that =
compost can provide nematodes. I'm looking for ways to increase the amount=
 of fungal consuming nematodes in my compost/ tea. Does anyone have a tric=
k or site that can cultivate the little ones? Any search on nematodes on th=
e internet only provides parasitic nematodes. I know we're all for this, b=
ut we're also all for the nutrient cycling... fungal nematodes. We can get=
 into protozoa later... or now
>
> Manik
>




Received on Tue Jul 26 2011 - 17:11:55 EDT

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