Black Gold
Californian Red Earthworm Humus
(Document translated from the original Spanish by
Princeton University Language Project)
Organic compost:
I utilize the work of millions of living beings, life
creators, transforming myself into a chemically stable colloid, Humus.
Flowers: I have a balanced chemistry that allows you to plant seeds directly
in the ground. I am the magic formula that restores greenness, vigor, and color to
your garden.
- Sowing. 3 parts of soil per part of Black Gold Maseteros.
- Fertilization. 1 pound of Black Gold per unit.
Vegetables: I fertilize, repair and regenerate the structure and texture of
earth. You will harvest delightful and delicious natural vegetables that are
guaranteed to be 100% organic. Non-toxic.
Add 2 ounces of Black Gold per plant or 1.5 pounds per square meter.
Grass: I improve the permeability of soils to water and air. I keep grass green
and healthy, decreasing the need of water during droughts.
Spread 1 pound of Black Gold per meter square.
Trees and Fruit Trees: I restore infertile soils with my high
bacterial concentration, humic acids and phytostimulines.
Add Black Gold to earth around the tree, where its branches end.
- Young trees: 5 pounds per unit.
- Mature trees: 10 pounds per unit.
This product is NOT EARTH. It is composed of organic compounds of which 97% are
absorbed by plants.
I have a cover that slowly releases my nutrients to plants for long periods of time.
Los Gavilanes Estate, Telephone number: 6671-7238
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BLACK GOLD
Humus of the Red Californian Earthworm
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I utilize a factory of millions of life creators, which transform me into a
chemically stable colloid, Humus.
I fertilize, repair, and regenerate the structure and texture of the soils.
With my high bacterial content I fully recover infertile soils.
I improve the permeability of soils to water and air, retaining and gradually
releasing my nutrients, which are rapidly and directly absorbed by plants.
I am useful for direct usage or mixing with soil. My chemistry is so well
balanced and complete that it permits the direct cultivation of plants and
seeds.
Analysis Report
Black Superfine Gold
pH : 6.7 – 7.4
Organic Material: 43 – 49 %
Nitrogen: 1.8 – 3 %
Phosphorus: 1.4 – 3.4 %
Potassium: 1.2 – 2.2 %
Calcium: 1 – 1.8 %
Iron: 0.8 – 1.3 %
Magnesium: 0.9 – 1.4 %
Cobalt: 15 – 25 ppm
Copper: 70 – 169 ppm
Manganese: 70 – 240 ppm
Zinc: 150 – 545 ppm
Bacterial Content: More than 130 millions of colonies per gram.
A product of Los Gavilanes Estate. Pedasi, Los Santos, Republic of Panama.
Telefax: (507) 6671 – 7…
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Black Gold
Organic Fertilizer from Californian Red
Earthworm Humus
Eisenia Foetida
What is earthworm humus?
Humus refers to degraded organic material in the last stage of decomposition that is
caused by microorganisms. As a result, it is chemically stable like colloids, which
regulate the mechanics of plant nutrition in the earth. This can occur naturally over
the years, or within a matter of hours – during which the worm’s capacity to digest
what it eats is delayed, ultimately producing earthworm fertilizer or humus.
Historical Background
In the 20th century, the arrival of intensive agriculture brought about the
phenomenon of soil impoverishment. Chemical fertilization methods, the study of
applied genetics, the mechanization of agriculture and the development of
phytosanitary techniques have all increased agricultural production. Nevertheless,
this technological progress has been accompanied by soil contamination, provoked
by pesticide residue, exhausted lands caused by excessive exploitation. According to
statistics reported by FAO, the agrarian lands that, on a global level, annually
become marginal lands correspond to 0.38% of existing cultivated areas. In other
words, the loss that results from soil nutrient depletion adds up to 5.7 million
hectares per year. This depletion is the result of the loss of humus reserves that
originally accumulated in these lands. The gravest mistake of modern
agriculture has been not foreseeing the need to re-accumulate humus, and
relying solely in the chemical fertilization process.
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Earthworm humus constitutes an authentic biological fertilizer in terms of organic
material and microbial population.
Recently, there has been an increasing interest from chemical compost producers
for earthworm humus. Chemical compost lacks bacterial flora but bacterial content
in earthworm humus is very high, around 130 millions of bacteria per gram, which
is why earthworm humus enriches it.. Studies reveal that the combination of both
(biological and chemical) results in synergy, increasing levels of production.
Three bulks of chemical fertilizers are replaced by a ton of Humus in N.P.K, but the
improvements made by bacteria content in Humus on structure, texture, water
retention, and availability management of these factors, is essentially invaluable.
Humus’ advantage over other manures such as hen droppings and bovine droppings
fertilizers is that a ton of Humus produced by the earthworm is equivalent to 10
tons produced by hens, pigs and bovines. When managing those 10 tons, nitrogen is
lost, phosphorus cannot be assimilated, and soil unbalance is produced. (Llano,
1994).
Soil enrichment
Humus is spread directly on the soil, in appropriate amounts according to chemical
analysis. Ground is excavated to a depth that is required by desired crops to be
planted. Surfaces are watered. The prolific nature of bacterial flora increases the
efficacy period by reproduction, (continues…)
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stimulating the growth of plants, increasing their production and simultaneously
lengthening their productive annual cycle.
The biological concept of fertilization is quite distinct from what farmers use. Real
fertilization requires use of organic compost, crop rotation, little plowing, and
mineral fertilizers.
Characteristics of Earthworm Humus
The best organic fertilizer. The result of processing in the earthworm’s digestive
tract.
 Dark with an agreeable smell.
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Clean, soft to the touch and its bio-stability prevents fermentation and rot.
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Contains a higher enzymatic and bacterial load that helps solubility of
nutrients such that they are immediately absorbed by roots. On the other
hand, it retains nutrients after irrigation, maintaining nutrients in the ground
longer.
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Positively affects the germination of seeds and growth of young plants.
Earthworm compost notably increases the condition of plants, trees and
shrubs in comparison with others of the same age. During transplantation, it
prevents illnesses and reduces shock from injuries or sudden changes in
temperature and in humidity. It can be used immediately because it is
already free of roundworms.
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Favors the formation of mycorrhizae.
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Increases plants’ resistance to diseases and pathogens.
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Prevents the development of bacteria and fungus that damage plants.
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Neutral pH makes it useful for delicate plants.
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Favors radicular absorption.
Regulates increment and activity of soil’s nitrites.
Facilitates absorption of nutritional compounds for plants. The microbial
action of earthworm humus allows plants to absorb minerals like
phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium and oligo elements.
Transmits hormones, vitamins, proteins and other humidifying fractions
directly from the soil to the plant.
Protects soil from erosion.
Increases availability of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, boron, and releases
them gradually. Intervenes in the physical fertility of soil because it increases
active surfaces.
Absorbs reduction compounds that are formed in the soil by natural or
artificial compression.
Improves structural characteristics of the soil, removing clayey soil and
adding gravelly ground.
Increases soil’s porosity by increasing ventilation.
Its dark color contributes to the absorption of caloric energy.
Neutralizes potential contaminating factors(herbicides, phosphoric esters),
due to its absorption capacity.
Avoids and fights ferric chlorosis.
Facilitates and augments the efficacy of mechanic soil work.
Improves soil’s chemical characteristics, due to its high content of humic and
fulvic acids.
Improves quality and biological properties of agro products.
Increases permeability and retention of water in soils (4 to 2, decreasing
water consumption in crops).
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Earthworm Culture Guide
Dr. Eliecer Vera Cerrud
Cel 6671-7238
1. INTRODUCTION
The Californian Red worm can live up to 14-16 years. Being a hermaphrodite,
it ejects a capsule every 7 to 10 days, which contains from 2 to 20 worms. These
worms are born 14 to 21 days after incubation.
On their 90th day of life, they are already sexually mature. An expanding
hatchery doubles every three months.
Every day an adult worm ingests a quantity of food equivalent to its weight
(1 gram). It then expels 60% of it in the form of humus. The other 40% is used by
the worm for its sustenance.
The size of drawers recommended for the development of the worms is one
of 1 to 2 meters square. The height of these drawers should be 40 cm. The
material recommended for their construction is wood, rum, mud, or cement
blocks. We recommend planting 3 pounds of worm by meter square, giving this
population 25 pounds of compost (food) every 15 days.
2. MANAGEMENT OF COMPOST (FOOD)
2.1 The Californian worm is also called manure worm because this is its
natural environment. To prepare the compost, decomposed manure or a
mixture of decomposed compost with plant material is usually used. The
manure of best quality comes from rabbits and from cows.
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2.2 Create large piles (6 yards), so that they can mature in the initial phase of
heating with thermophile bacteria. The temperature is increased up to 58 –71
degrees Celsius (136.4-159.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
2.3 In general, the compost that is given as food should be composed of 60% manure
and 40% fiber (harvest leftovers, grass, rice peelings, coffee pulp, sugar cane
bagasse, etc…)
2.4 The compost should be prepared at least a month in advance but no more than
one year.
2.5 The humidity of the compost is tested taking a fistful of the material, verifying
that it is completely humid, but that it does not drip between the fingers.
2.6 The compost’s pH tends to be acidic; therefore, calcium carbonate is usually
added to it: 4 oz per m2. Regulate the pH so it is as close as possible to neutral, 7.
One can do this with pH strips, which can be found in places that distribute
medical products.
2.7 Worms should not be sowed or fed all at the same time. A test should be first
made with 50 worms, observing that they themselves penetrate the food. If they
reject the food by trying to escape from the container or migration to the
corners, then this is a sign that something is wrong.
2.8 Optimal conditions for the cultivation of Eisenia Foetida in vegetal and
animal waste
CONDITION
Temperature
Humidity
Oxygen
Ammoniac
Salts
pH
REQUIREMENT
15-20 degrees Celsius (59-68 degrees
Fahrenheit)
80-90% (limit of 60-90%)
Aerobic
Less than 0.5%
Less than 0.5%
Between 6.8-7.2
(It can bear a range of 5.0-7.5)
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3. Care
3.1 What not to give worms
 Any type of meats or dairy products
 Sawdust, redwood chips, cedar
 Colored paper, newspapers, magazines (ink with lead)
 Dog, cat, or human excrement
 Plant leaves such as eucalyptus, magnolia, pine, and aromatic plants
3.2 Do not give worms more food that they can consume, for this will create
acidic and sour environments
3.3 Worms regulate their population according to the space that they have and
the amount of food that they are given
4. Diseases-pests and predators
4.1 The most common predators of worms include:
Birds, mice, toads, centipedes, snakes, opossums.
In order to prevent the predators from affecting the cultivation, it is
convenient to place plastic nets to block their passage. Ants are particularly
harmful because they consume the sugars intended for the worms. They
might also eat the capsules and the small worms.
4.2 Their greatest danger is poisoning caused by excess dosage of proteins in
food and acidic pH.
5. Harvest
5.1 An indicator of the need to harvest the worms is the migration of the adult
worms to the side walls. Another indicator is the production of dark humus
and the rapid consumption of food. Another one is when there is no more
physical space to continue feeding the worms in our square m.
5.2 Separation of worms from the humus on a table with 1/4th inch meshes.
5.3 Before the harvesting of adult worms, we can recover the youth phases by
placing food of their liking (watermelon, melon, pumpkin) covered by a moist
newspaper.
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