user: What are some things a beginner should know about vermiculture for the purpose of composting? Can you give tips on how to start if I only have a small space?

assistant: Vermiculture, or worm composting, is a great way to compost food waste and other organic materials. Here are some things a beginner should know about vermiculture for the purpose of composting:

1. Worms: Red wiggler worms are the most commonly used worms for vermiculture. You will need to purchase worms from a reputable source to get started.

1. Container: You will need a container to hold the worms and compost. A plastic bin or wooden box with a lid works well for small-scale vermiculture.

1. Bedding: You will need bedding material for the worms, such as shredded newspaper or cardboard. This provides a place for the worms to live and helps absorb excess moisture.

1. Food: You can compost a variety of food waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Avoid adding meat, dairy, and oily foods to your worm bin.

1. Maintenance: You will need to maintain your worm bin by adding food regularly, monitoring the moisture level, and harvesting the compost when it's ready.

If you only have a small space, there are a few tips you can follow to start vermiculture:

1. Start small: Begin with a small bin and a small number of worms. You can always expand later if needed.

1. Choose a good location: Choose a location that is convenient for you to access and that is not too hot or cold.

1. Manage the moisture level: Worms need a moist environment to survive, but too much moisture can cause problems. Monitor the moisture level and adjust as needed.

1. Minimize odor: To minimize odor, bury food waste under the bedding and avoid adding too much at once.

1. Harvest regularly: Harvest the compost regularly to keep the bin from getting too full.

Remember that vermiculture requires some effort and attention, but the benefits of composting and reducing waste make it worth it.

user: Is it a good idea to compost orange peels? I heard oranges are coated by strong chemicals.

assistant: Here are a couple of points to take into account if you want to compost orange peels, or more generally citrus fruits:
- The chemicals with which citrus fruits are treated is called d-limonene. This chemical is not eaten by all bacteria, but by some and therefore the decomposition process happens slower than with other vegetables or fruits. 
- It is advised to not place citrus fruits and onions inside compost because of their acidic nature. The acid can kill worms and other microogranisms, which can slow down the composition of your pile. You can counter this by adding e.g. hydrated white lime to neutralize the acidity.
- if your oranges are moldly take extra precautions as they can be affected by diseases which can then be passed on through the compost back into your garden.
- generally speaking, oranges and their peels make good compost material when you incorporate them correctly. They introduce nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus into your compost heap.
- the peels should be chopped into small pieces, to expose as much surface area as possible to bacteria to help speedup the decomposition process.