Definitions

Bedding: Where the worms in a worm bin, worm bed or wormery live. It should provide the ideal environment for worm growth and reproduction. It is typically made up of a variety of organic, compostable substances, rich in carbon ('browns' in composting terms) and low in Nitrogen ('greens'). It needs to hold water without becoming soggy, and bulk up the worm bed (fibrous material) to allow sufficient airflow. Bedding will break down as part of the vermicomposting process and become mixed with the feedstuffs, but the best bedding is already partly decomposed, or at least rich in composting microorganisms.
Bedding needs to:
Be moist (70-90% moisture) and aerated. The air is dissolved in water for the worms to breathe through their skins, but spaces are needed in the bedding for air to diffuse through. Oxygen will be rapidy depleted in a compacted, very wet bin as protein (nitrogen)- rich substances decompose.
Be of neutral or near neutral pH . Worms will survive in beddings of pH 5-9, but thrive best at or slightly above a pH of 7.
Examples of bedding materials: paper, cardboard, dried leaves, composted animal manures or stable waste, composted garden waste, sawdust, coconut coir, straw. A few materials may be mixed together to take advantage of differing properties.

Cocoon: The egg case of an earthworm. When two earthworms mate (they are hermaphrodites so they exchange sperm and both produce eggs as well) the sperm and eggs are deposited in a ring of mucous which is 'squeezed' along the worm's body, and cast off as a cocoon. The eggs are fertilized inside the cocoon and from one to several baby worms will hatch from each cocoon.
The cocoons of E Foetida and E Hortensis are yellow in colour and lemon-shaped when first laid, turning darker before hatching. The cocoons of E Foetida are smaller than those of E. Hortensis.

Compost (verb/noun/): the process by which organic matter (plant and animal residues) is broken down by the action of microorganisms and small invertebrates to form a stable, nutrient-rich substance.  

Leachate: (Not to be confused with worm tea or vermicompost tea- see below.) The liquid which drains from the bottom of a worm bin. It may be collected and used, diluted 1: 10 as a plant feed. The liquid is from the decomposition of food which may be up to 90% water. It contains nutrients and microbes which may be beneficial to plants. If collected, it should be collected and used regularly, as if left for long periods of time it may go stagnant (anaerobic) and contain predominantly anaerobic microorganisms and even mildly toxic products of decomposition. 
 
Vermicastings (or vermicast): the excretion of the worm after it has digested the decaying organic matter. Vermicast is rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms which greatly enhance the fertility and health of soil.

Vermicompost (verb): to compost with the aid of composting worms. The worms ingest decaying organic matter, (and the micro-organisms which produce that decay) and excrete a substance much richer in micro-organisms, thus speeding up the decay process. The mechanical action of worms moving through the decaying mass, mixes and aerates, also assisting the decay process.


Vermicompost (noun): a stable, nutrient rich soil-like substance produced by the process of vermicomposting. It is made up of vermicastings and composted organic matter. A well processed sample of vermicompost will have a very high proportion of vermicast.

Vermiculture: breeding of worms for use or resale

Worm Tea, Vermicompost Tea: A liquid made by steeping a small amount of vermicompost in water for 24 to 36 hours, usually along with a nutrient (such as molasses, but many other ingredients are advocated by different writers), to encourage microorganisms in the compost to reproduce. The resulting mixture is then dilited 1: 10 or more and sprayed onto soil and foliage of plants.  Aerated vermicompost tea (AVCT) is made in the same way, but with the addition of difusing air (eg with aquarium pump) through the mix to ensure constant aeration and speed up reproduction rates of microorganisms. Both vermicompost tea and aerated vermicompost tea have been reported to promote plant growth and vigour, supress plant disease and even reduce infestation by arthropod pests such as greenfly and whitefly.

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