FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Does anyone know if earthworm castings will burn the roots of newly emerging plants? As far as i know, earthworm casting are suppose to release nutrients slowly so that the plants can absorb them easily, but I do not know if it will harm young plants that have fragile roots.

what are they?

kevinqwe wrote:what are they?

What are what? Earthworm castings? They are earthworm excrements. It is a natural fertilizer.

earthworm castings should be completely safe to use on small plants and seedlings - essentially the "worm poo" is soil, bacteria and other organic matter that has passed through the digestive tract of the worm, it is rich in nutrients, but not rich enough to damage plant tissue.

I don't have any experience with using earthworm castings, but my view point is - why risk it? Your flytrap will get plenty of nutriets if you leave it outside (to catch it's own bugs) or feed it. I don't see the benefit of fertilizing it through the roots. I would say this is a useless risk to take.

Worm castings are really high in salts, I wouldn't use them on newly emerged plants. Granted, they are all different- the ones that we got a hold of weren't capable of germinating seed, and in the case they did -the growth was yellowed and straggly. I would wait a couple of months until the seedlings are a bit bigger, and then start off with a lower rate to begin with until you know its working okay.

Non-carnivorous plants only of course. Good Luck!