I use a mostly mineral mix. The organic component...would be cooked(used for gemination) , aged(a few months with seedlings in it) and dried peat/vermicompost mix...

Its porous(even with a more organic composition for my plumeria) and it works like a sieve. Water goes in , water comes out....

'Manure' of any kind is not really recomended for container growing. Some ppl use it. I would use it only in the garden (I try to get real, aged horse manure from farmers for it), including 'tea spray'. Your chice...Not trying to be mean, but would never pay $25 for that spray bottle. Could get at least 4 or more new plants instead!!! And if you really think you need it, it is cheeper to make your own. I seldom fertilize my succulents, but balanced fert seems to be just fine.

Not sure about warding off the pests - aroma may attract some more? - just wondering.

It was mentioned in a recent club meeting as a good additive to soils.

If it's just a small amount of castings in your mix, I'd say it wouldn't be a problem, particularly if you avoid any smell issues by using a thick layer of top dressing.

Thanks everyone. Yeah I’ve read they don’t smell but I’ve been reading conflicting things on the nitrate levels in them being bad/good for succulents.

Rina, I didn’t realize that bottle was so expensive. Definitely won’t be picking that up.

for anyone interested, here is the website I was reading earlier about using worm castings to inhibit an enzyme in succulents that detracts pests, towards the bottom of the article:

https://thesucculenteclectic.com/how-to-control-prevent-mealybugs-on-succulents/

There is a patent for worm casting spray method, but I couldn't find many white papers on the subject. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20020090669A1/en

It says ants are repelled but not sure about mealybugs. The most effective method was to have direct spraying to the leaves.

For me, mealybugs always come from other growers/plant suppliers and not the local environment. So my best prevention is quarantine.

Or maybe I should just stop buying plants! Haha.

Personally, I’d make a tea of the castings, water the plants with it, then use the sludge(dried) in my mix, but I’m lazy like that.

Thanks Jeff and Kevin. I was hoping it might help get rid of spider mites which seem to be constant no matter how many times I clean and spray the plants with them(alcohol/water)

Im going to try this new formula of cayenne pepper and garlic clove spray. I chopped up a bunch and I’m letting it sit in water now. Will wait till overnight and then drain the liquid part into a spray bottle to spray the plants in the morning before the sun comes up.

If this doesnt work, then any plants I see the webbing on are going to head outside for the spring/summer. Whatever survives, survives. Luckily they only seem to be on my stapelias and some euphorbias too. I lost interest in my stapelias after while so I might just put them all outdoors and let nature run it’s course.

Luckily i I haven’t seen evidence of mutes on my echeverias, im hoping they stay away from those.

Brendan, do you have air circulating around your plants, like a fan, during the day?

This is super interesting! I started adding worm castings to my succulent soil last year, which was recommended for enhanced growth. Not only did my succulents grow way better, but this winter I also had NO pest problem. I've never heard this could help with pests so now I'm wondering if that is why I had no issues over winter? Prior to not using worm castings every year I had mealy bugs and spider mites. The worm castings also do not smell. So maybe this is a win?

I do, I’ve set up a few fans in my grow space now to hopefully cut down on mites.

Mamba, that’s interesting to hear thanks for the input. Did you just add it to your soil mix? I use grit mix so I’m wondering if adding them to a pure grit would lead to problems or actually help them like you said.

I use the Miracle Gro Cactus mix, I add extra Perlite and mix the worm castings up in the soil all together. Seems to be a very happy combination! Lol

I just started using worm castings on my houseplants. There is no odor. You lay a few tablespoons to 2 inches on top of the soil, (removing some old tired soil so as not to smother the stems) depending on the size of the pot. I have read about it for a few years now, and as I am pretty bad at remembering who I fertilized last and when, this feeds and can be forgotten for 6 weeks or longer. I put some on a Peace Lily just a few days ago. I thought it was looking pretty healthy. But I was wrong, It has burst with new leaves that are bigger and shinier than I have ever seen the plant produce, I am sold. I have not used it for more than 2 or 3 weeks, so if something about this stuff goes haywire down the line I haven't run across that yet. I hope not though, because I am truly very pleased with it so far.

I'm curious. Why does anyone feel a need to use them?

All of mine do fantastic without them and in fact future problems with the soil mix in mine are avoided. I once used them myself and saw no incredible difference against using a good fertilizer soluable every time I watered weakly) I actually had 5 gallon buckets! Still do and I use them for the yard if I remember to.

As for mites, you have to treat every ten days and with some type of horticultural oil like 'Season ormant Oil' or a suffocating horticultural soap. Alchohol and sot treatments will never rid of them. You need to do a mass spraysoak everything part of those plants down. If you do not, they will come back at the worst possible time, winter. So treat now while you can while they are outside)

Hi Mike,

The OP seems to be asking abt it in terms of insect control, pls re-read their opening comment.

Don't know if the OP is growing indoors or out; worm castings aren't recommended for indoor, container growing plants. Very different then using them on plants growing outside. Worm castings don't smell I've used them on houseplants, didn't find it made a difference.