If you're not using your worms for fishing, it doesn't matter how fat or slim they are. What matters is the total biomass of worms, because that determines how much they eat.

You could have fewer, fatter worms or more skinnier worms, but x weight of worms will always eat roughly the same amount of food each day (usually assumed to be x/2, but this can vary due to other factors such as temperature)

hi otis, yes thanks, I did receive your email dated Sept 19,2016......sorry that I haven't responded sooner.

Do you think that the worms in the larger bin are skinnier because they are not getting enough food? Why do you think that worms would be bigger/fatter in the smaller bins? Might their size be determined by the relative worm densities of lrg vs. small bins? Hmmm?

There are 2 main reasons I do bokashi ; one is because I often have more food scraps than the worms can handle so this gives a method of handling that extra material. Tossing onto a regular compost pile in the winter seems like a very slow process. The other reason is because it can be used to "compost" items not normally recommended for worm bins or regular compost piles . And it's just plain fun and interesting!!

Harry

parsley: I agree with you. With the same amount of worms (head count), and the supposed formula of "food each day (usually assumed to be x/2)" we'll get more castings production if the worms were bigger and fatter (more weight).

Harry: The main bin has enough food alright. I would even say the bin is overfed. It's a FT so not too worried about getting too wet and the surface is 2'X4', plenty of room to move away from unwanted condition. My thinking, because there is so much space, worms can wander around a long distance and burn energy. In the BBQ chicken container, I checked and they were mostly cuddling at the bottom. It's also the most humid place making them "content" I guess. I also use layers of persimmon leaves and found cocoons there. This is also a great way to introduce small children to worms and composting. With the tight fitting lid, it can be carried around. Worms might not be too happy with too many disturbance of peekings but hey, that's the worms' life.

I guess you could call what I do with food scraps is a form of bokashi. Scrap food is saved in ziplock bags until I have enough then I run thru my juicer and if it is a little dry I add the juice back into it, then it is saved in closed containers until needed to feed. It is like a slurry usually and the worms seem to always be on it within 24-36 hours after adding to a bin.

so dose bokashi mean to blend the food to a pulp. what is bokashi ? Thank you.

tipytoes, bokashi composting is very different to regular composting. Instead of keeping the materials well aerated (as with reg. composting) with bokashi you are composting, or more correctly, fermenting your wastes in a sealed container to reduce or eliminate the presence of oxygen (ie. anaerobic decomposition). To do this correctly you add a material (in my case wheat bran inoculated with lactobacillus bacteria) to the food scraps in the bucket and press any air out of the food additions, cover with plastic and put on the lid. Once the bucket is full it is left unopened for at least 2 weeks during which time the food scraps actually ferment. Then the scraps (which don't look that different to when you started) can complete their breakdown by burying in soil or a regular compost heap where the aerobic bacteria finish the job. Scraps are quite acidic after the 2 week fermentation so I often let them aerate outside for a while if I want to add them to my worm bins.

By now you are probably wondering why bother with bokashi - sounds too much like work. Well I use it sometimes for 2 main reasons:

1. I can use this method to "compost" things during the winter without having to go outside in the snow or rain to add to a worm bin or compost pile. But maybe more importantly.........

2. I can compost virtually any food scraps including dairy, meats, fish, citrus etc. which are more likely to cause problems with reg. composting or vermicomposting.

Plus I guess I just like to experiment a lot.

Type in bokashi composting in the search box at the top of the page and you can find lots of information. Also try to search for videos by Bryan McGrath ("Prokashi") on the subject. He clearly explains the process in a lot more detail.

So the answer to your question would be NO - bokashi is not just food scraps blended to a pulp.

Harry

Thanks Harry. i did google it and do have a bit more knowledge now.

i think it is good to experiment every now and then with different techniques and who knows you could find one that works well for your set up or situation.

i am about to see if i can find any footage from some one like national geographic to see if there is any close up footage of worms and their behavior. or may be i shouldnt i might put myself off the idea. i am not really a bug or wiggly person so all this is will be a real trial for me.

Thanks again.

tipytoes, Don't worry, I'm sure that in no time you will be checking on your worms just like you would with a pet. Unlike bugs, spiders etc., if the worms have suitable conditions and the right food scraps they are more than happy to stay in their home. They really are quite amazing little creatures.

Go ahead and search up what ever videos you can - the more you learn about them, the more interesting they become. Think about it, the more they poop the happier you (and your garden) will be. How many "pets" can you say that about? And their poo doesn't even smell bad!!

Harry

I just thawed out my last gal bag of frozen pumpkin. I dont like to put a lot of this in at once as it makes my system wetter than I like although the worms seem to love it. I usually add extra paper when I do this to help soak up some of the wetness , it does help.