Earthworm Castings & Vitiman B-1 for cake ingredient method - Mushroom Cultivation

Hey There,

Has anyone tried using fresh earthworm castings in there cakes? I have read lots of topics on manure, etc. None on earthworm castings (E.castings, henceforth), suprisingly, because they are far superior to any other form of compost.

E.castings are pasturized in the worms stomach, making all nutrients available to the shroom, also preventing nutrient burn. They are similar in water/air holding ratio capacity to brown rice flower and they contain more nutrients which are already broken down for the fungi to use. An additional benifit may be extened cake flushes, with additional nutrients a cake may produce more for a longer period.

Also, liquid Vitimin B-1 & Seaweed extract additives can be added to the cake mixture before its sterilized. These will add a base of vitimins, microorganisms & micronutrients that help all fungi thrive. These additives provide the bridge between nutrients (brown rice flower and E.castings) and the fungi. All of these vitimins, microorganisms and micronutrients are present in nature, where fungi developed for millions of years.

Here is a method that may prove usefull:

MIXTURE: For 3; 1/2 pint Kerr jars:

a.) 1.5 cups Vermiculite

b.) .25 cup E.castings (organic)

c.) .50 cup Brown rice flower (Mixture of long and short grain
organic rice, freshly ground right before use)

d.) 1 tsp Oyster Shell Powder (balances PH to 7.0)

e.) .75 cup mineral H20

f.) 1 tsp Thrive Alive Green B-1 per gallon of H20 (pre-mixed into H20
before addition to dry ingredients)

NUTRIENT CONTENT: N/P/K >Nitrogen/Phosphorus/Potash

a.) E.castings > 1/1/1 (approximitly, E.castings vary)

b.) Thrive Alive Green B-1 >1/2/.5 - .09% Vitamin B-1 -
.50% Humic acids form Leonardite - Kinetin (growth stimulant) as
Cytokinin (from seaweed)

c.) Oyster Shell Powder > Ca (Calcium) 36% -
Calcium Carbonate (equivalent) 92%

METHOD: Sterilize E.castings in H20

a.) Fill a large cloth tea bag .50 full w/ E.castings

b.) Bring a lg. pot of H20 to 170 degrees

c.) Put tea bag in H20 for 60 min. (stirring and shaking E.castings
every 10 min.)

d.) Cool and squeeze out moisture, let dry a little while

e.) Mix ingredients as usuall and sterilize a usuall when making cakes

f.) Follow any tec you like...

* E.castings and vermiculite are produts of "Black Gold"

* Thrive Alive Green B-1 is a product of TechoFlora Plant Products L.T.D.
(available @ www.discount-hydro.com or www.alt-garden.com )

This method has worked well before, but it could be improved. Does anyone have any idea's or thoughts on this process? Any ways to improve it?

Regards, Lighten

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lighten up my mind

Edited by lighten (04/01/03 05:13 AM)

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Bump ;-)

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lighten up my mind

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There's stuff on Worm Castings around, but I don't know if they're described as being used in cakes before now. This'd be easier to cope with if/when the search functionality is returned.

Also, I've never heard of the Thrive Alive stuff, but hell, worth looking into. Have you seen a difference in using it vs. cakes/whatever without it?

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"Remember, son,
I didn't sell out-
I bought in."

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Valour,

My friend has seen a difference when using Thrive Alive, fungi seem to grow more robustly and quickly.

There are a lot of sources for B-1, Supre-Thrive is an original. Thrive Alive mixes the best of both worlds of additives; organic and man made. Thirve Alive gives the cake "life" by adding benificial microbes and microorganisms creating a base for further nutrient and fungal growth.

*Thrive Alive is made by TechnoFlora Plant Products L.T.D. (I mis-spelled the companys name in the thread starting post).

Regards, Lighten

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lighten up my mind

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