flow through worm beds designs

[treegal1]

Tim we have been working on a way to get the flat worms with a thiamine poisoning.

[Tim Wilson]

I have red mites in my worms but they are good guys. There are several varieties of red mites. I've never heard of them eating worms. gaaak. If you have trouble in future order some persimilis; they will attack other mites and are friendly to worms, as far as I've seen. Do you have white springtails?

[treegal1]

we do since we move the farm out west of us, we call them ant lions. we picked up the hot mites from raw tomato's, that practice stopped post haste.we have snails all sorts of rollie poly's and spring tails, some smaller grey and white mites and many others. the new farm is semi indoors, the indoor farm was a constant up hill battle to keep the beds from getting out of hand with one special predator or another. just as all nature the beds need some sun!! the artificial light we had before was not what the beds needed.

[treegal1]

just ordered 25000,persimilis, from bico net, maybe that will work, thanks. we have had some great results trapping the hot mites out and growing them out with hibiscus that has aphids, they will kill almost any pest. this is so fight fire with fire, I love it!!! thanks again!!!

Tim do you have a recommendation for nematodes???

[ICT Bill]

Tim do you have a recommendation for nematodes???

which ones?
In the lawns or the worm beds?
are you trying to introduce the good ones or get rid of the bad ones?

I think Tim needs to come down in mid winter to help your crew out for a month or 2
Tim's place mid winter -1
TG place mid winter +70

[DeepGreenLawn]

Originally Posted by treegal1

we have had some great results trapping the hot mites out and growing them out with hibiscus that has aphids, they will kill almost any pest. this is so fight fire with fire, I love it!!! thanks again!!!

do they eat the beneficials as well?

[treegal1]

Originally Posted by DeepGreenLawn

do they eat the beneficials as well?

I dont know for sure, bring your magnifying glass...........

we want some beneficials, we spilled our old culture in the move. maybe something that eats root feeders

[ICT Bill]

DGL
Nematodes are very interesting there are a zillion different types, really a zillion, who knows

From my limited knowledge there are 4 basic groups
Bacterial eaters
Fungal eaters
Nematode eaters
Root eaters

If one group gets the upper hand the others are in peril, often there is a tipping point and one group will take over an area, if they are root feeders your plants are in trouble

These are the guys that sh$t out nutrients, they eat bacteria, fungi, roots and other nematodes they digest it and excrete it and it is now plant available

These are some of the heavy hitters in nutrient cycling

The word for tomorrow is "springtails"

[treegal1]

why Bill what the deal with hexopods????? (spring tails)

[DeepGreenLawn]

so all are not too bad except for the root feeders right?

I was really asking about the mites? Or are those nematodes as well? Just so you know my microorganism knowledge is bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and microhizae, I think that about covers it...