I second to Kevin's about orchids like sun. I just visited a friend of mine and noticed one of Sharry Baby I gave to him couple years ago was blooming . The bulb is huuuge and plumped , much larger than mine. I don't have a lot of issue growing orchids, or have orchids bloom, just following what it needs mostly of time. But I have never grown orchids that good comparing to my friend. He said he put the orchids outside in the summer under his large Bradford pear tree. The orchids got morning sun and later afternoon sum directly but got filtered sun in most of day time. He said his other orchids collection seems grow better this way too . I kept my orchids on the dry side and don't water my orchids very often. But I do spray /mist my orchids, the potting medium, and outside of the pot( clay) twice a day with water. And spray/mist the leaves especially the back side of the leaves with low strength fertilizer every day. This works well for me so far. I have all my orchids bloomed as they are supposed to be, and have my orchids grow new braches as they are supposed to be... But I will move my orchids outside this summer to see if I can make them grow bigger and better.

Using the lid to catch runoff may not be adequate, depending on how well you manage the moisture in the bin. I would use the lid as a lid, and use a second bin to catch runoff. Put some sort of blocks (I use the bottom 4 inches cut from a 2 liter pop bottle, 6 of them) in the lower bin to hold the upper bin up, so it doesn't get stuck in the catch basin. 1) We have no way of knowing what species the trout worms are. We can't tell you if they will work. 2) Yes, use the leaves and other stuff from the outside bin as bedding. Just keep in mind that you will be bringing in a host of critters with them. Those critters would probably find their way in eventually anyway. Mixing in hay MIGHT cause it to heat up. If it does, let it cool down before adding worms. 3) Cream cheese: no. Chip dip: no. carrots: yes. Mac and cheese: no. Coffee grounds: yes. eggs: no. The rule of thumb is no meat, fats or dairy. If you start with partially decomposed leaves and hay, etc, you won't need to worry about feeding the worms for a while. 4) A typical indoor bin starts with about 1000 worms. Fewer, if they are all adults. Composting worms are sold by the pound. 5) The worms will reproduce IF they are the kind of worms that live in a bin environment. Worms typically double in biomass every 3 months. So figure a year or longer to reach the 1 pound worms that most vermicomposters start with.

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Fast and easy and satisfying: bread without butter but with a small sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar; a rolled up lettuce leaf with annie's terrific salsa in the middle; toasted pecans with teeny bit of cayenne pepper and kosher salt; whole dill pickles, bok choy, carrot and celery sticks - always in the fridge; freshly popped corn 3 nights a week; leftover cold pizza. Decadent and good for the soul - but not for the hips: warmed giant blueberry muffin; sugar cookies; a handful of chocolate chips; soft biscotti (mandelbrot); cheddar cheese fingers dipped in homemade jam; toasted pine nuts on Swiss cheese fingers; crackers with anything on top; and my all time favorite - pretzels or bread sticks dipped in microwaved cheddar and jack cheese with a dab of mustard. I don't know about you but I find I snack more in the winter - maybe from boredom, and eat those that are mostly the hip size additions like the above. In the summer there are plenty of veggies, fruits, and tomatoes to snack on right outside my door and I don't crave as many sweets except for sweet iced tea because it is required in the South. I don't buy any prepackaged snacks - too many chemical preservatives, corn syrup, and heavy doses of salt. I make my own crackers, pretzels, and breads for the same reason (but I do also buy some), plus homemade jams and reduced salt pickles. Before I retired I was snickered about because I'd pull out some cheese and crackers or a pile of carrot sticks and a dill pickle for snacks at my desk where they'd munch on a bag of potato chips or candy bars from the vending machine. It took a little effort to package snacks from home instead of from the machine, but I'd make up enough baggies for a couple of weeks in about 10 minutes, plus - I saved a huge ton of money over the years. I still do crave candy bars though and that treat is what I get for my birthday instead of a cake. In my 20's I'd eat two or three a day! Nancy