Is this worm friendly?

9 years ago

I've got a very narrow narrow balcony on which I have a few potted plants. I'm a novice and may not even know the names of some of these!!

I use a bit of vermicompost once in a while (purchased about 6 months ago). I water to keep the soil damp. Its been quite cold / cool the past few weeks. Am I guilty of overwatering? Perhaps yes.

I noticed these worms in one of the pots today. this is a chilly plant which grew from seeds - mainly to keep my son happy as he gets to watch it grow a bit every week.

My first thought is that they were earthworms, but considering my lack of gardening skills would like to see what they actually are and are they safe to keep in the pot (I've read varying opinions online). I don't have any flying insects on the plants. Once in a while I notice ants.

Posting a couple of picture and a video:

Featured Answer

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

9 years ago

Yes, it's an earthworm....albiet very pale. Any earthworm would be much happier outside than in a container, the work that they perform turns a good potting medium into muck when confined in a pot but a benefit in the outdoor soil.

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
9 years ago
where are you ... and can you get a better media

compost and dirt is not a great media for pots ...

also ... you should insert finger.. and find out when the pot needs water.. rather than keeping it constantly moist ...

whats in the pot ...

ken
Benjamin Ross thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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Benjamin Ross
Original Author
9 years ago
I use soil (taken from around our apartment) and some compost added once in a while.

After going through this forum I realised that I need to be more prudent with my watering.

I'm from India. The weather here is warm to hot most of the year. We had a fairly cool December.

I'll check the other pots to see if there are more worms.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Ground soil and compost are not great materials for any container planting. They are too heavy with too fine a particle size and will hamper good drainage (which is essential) and lack proper aeration. I would encourage you to visit the Container Gardening forum here to get some ideas on what type of container potting soil you should be using.
Benjamin Ross thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
josh_ky
9 years ago
Did it say, "hi"?
Benjamin Ross
Original Author
9 years ago
Nope. Unfortunately it seems to have passed on to another dimension. No more dramas in my pots and I'm still waiting for the chillies to appear on the plant.