I think the EF's will work great for your situation. They reproduce faster than the other worm. If your worms are eating that watermelon, then I would suggest putting , maybe a cup of food in one side. When you see the worms involved in that new food, add some to the other side. This will help you observe how much your worms are eating and give you a pace. Soon you will have a handle on how much to feed and your worm bin can be fed on both sides at the same time and increase the amount of food scraps composted.

SQH1's suggestions are excellent, so I'm just going to comment on the mixing worms question.

All worm species can live happily side by side provided all species in that enviornment have the same environmental preferences. In the case of Eisenai fetida (red worms) and Eisenia hortensis (European nightcrawlers), their ideal environmental conditions are not the same (ideal temp for E. hortensis is a cool 60°F while ideal for E. fetida is approximately 75°F and E. hortensis is more easily stressed by lower moisture levels) , thus, while you can keep both alive in the same bin, one is going to be under some stress and will, thus, not perform optimally and may decline in number.

Both worms species are suited for the uses you have in mind.

Different worm species are definitely distinct from one another, and each species can only produce young with members of that same species. There is no cross-breeding or hybridization among earthworms, despite what you might read on some internet sites. As to how different one species is from another, that answer depends on whether you're asking a gardener (worms all look pretty much the same to us!) or a worm! ::grin::

Kelly S

So, Kelly,

How feasible would it be to put Pheretima Hawayana / Amynthas gracillus in a bin with Eisenia fetida. Do the PHs require a deeper bin, warmer/cooler temps? Will they eat the same feed stocks? What would the recommended density of PHs be per sq. ft. to start?

Any information would be really appreciated.

bruce

A. gracilis would do fine in a bin with E. fetida, but for one concern; data on the breeding rate of A. gracilis is unreliable at best, thus, if it breeds more slowly than does E. fetida you may ultimately find that it's population is lowered by competition.

All other considerations of environment, feedstock and such would be the same as for E. fetida.

The suggested stocking rate for all bin cultured worm species is one pound per square foot of bin surface area. Know, however, that many bins are successfully started with smaller worm populations. This is a suggested guideline, not a hard and fast rule!

Kelly S

Thanks, Kelly,

I have been wanting to try A. gracilis for some time now. I'll just put them in a bin of their own. The only source I know of is Wonder Worms at JaMaKa.com in Lancaster, CA. Do you know of any other sources for this particular species?

bruce

Thanks for all the help. I was out there checking on the worms last night and it is so cool to open the bin and see everyone scramble to get under cover :-) Things are doing well out there.

Vicky~

I don't know of any reliable sources for A. garcilis, Bruce. There is a worm farm, Hawaii Rainbow Worms, staring in Hawaii where A. gracilis is native, however, and I hope they might begin shipping by later this summer. You might contact them...

Kelly S

Here is a link that might be useful: Hawaii Rainbow Worms

Kelly,

Thanks for the information. I'll be contacting them soon. I may not order 'till later this summer because of our extreme heat in Texas this year.
I wonder if they can hula dance??

thanks bruce

Bruce, if they hula dance for you either get pictures or lay off the drink... ::grin::

Kelly S

Kelly,
Is there any reason you don't recomend JaMaKa? They are only a few miles from me and I've been planning to take a drive up there and pick up a couple of pounds. Or were you just listing another source? Thanks,
Dick

No, I know of no reason to discourage anyone from buying worms from JaMaKa! I was just offering a potential additional source.

Kelly S

Is there a difference between Pheretima Hawayana and Amynthas Gracillus? If not, just what is the purpose of scientific names?

BajaJim,

As far as I know, Pheretima Hawayana is the same worm as Amynthas Gracillus, but, the taxonomists changed their names. That's just what they do. Maybe to keep the lay person confused!! ;)

bruce