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Are these dendrobaenas?

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 3:05 pm
by WormeryRich
Hi

I'm quite new to operating a wormery. A few months ago I decided to setup a small homemade single bin system. Because it was so small, I bought the worms from a local fishing tackle shop having been assured they're dendrobaenas. I've been learning as i go along (mainly from watching YouTube videos) and decided my small homemade system was not going to do the job that I needed it to do.

Over the weekend I ordered a three bin (housing only) system with the intention of clearing my homemade effort out and transferring the worms and topping up as necessary. I have now done this and am surprised to see how few worms I actually have (I never checked what the shop gave me!) but at the same time also surprised at the number of cocoons I have .

The only thing I am not sure about is whether or not they are actually dendrobaenas. I have attached a photo of some of the worms and cocoons in the hope that someone who knows more than I do (not difficult!) is able to confirm their identity.

Image

Image

Your help would be much appreciated.

Richard

Re: Are these dendrobaenas?

Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 3:08 pm
by WormeryRich
It also seems that I don't know how to post a photo!

So, I have no idea how to get a photo to show but these links are the shared photo directly from my OneDrive:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Av4eBnmIh0pDgZkSp55CcfD5zOG4Tw?e=x0pvSQ

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Av4eBnmIh0pDgZkR8Nb0Qi4z8-ts_A?e=RmQY61

I hope this does not break any house rules.

Thanks

Richard

Re: Are these dendrobaenas?

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2020 8:21 am
by WillyWorm
Hi Richard, welcome to the forum, sorry but I can’t open the other links either. It can be very difficult to identify accurately the species of worms without a microscope etc. I have never felt the need to know exactly what verity of worms I have. Is there a reason you need this info. Even if you start with a pure breed of worms then over time, other compost worms from the locality will tended to move in for a free lunch and may set up home there. For this reason you are not likely to find a breeder who will guarantee 100% to supply one species of worm.
I have a mixture of worms in my bins, worms do not inter breed and live happily side by side. Their different food, eating, breeding requirements makes for an efficient composting community.
Seeing as you say you have few worms (after 2 or 3 months your population should more than doubled) maybe buy some more worms from a reliable dealer knowing what you will be getting, put the new worms in your new bin and leave the old original worm in your other bin and see what comes of it.