How to Sterilize Potting Soil in the Microwave & Why???
Why,
Should I Sterilize Potting Soil???
Some Soil
brands already have fungus, pests and/or pest eggs already in the soil. I
looked more into this after one very bad experience a few years ago. I bought a
large bag of my normal potting soil mix; and repotted ALL my house
plants. The first time I noticed something was wrong, was when Gnats started
showing up by the dozen! Next, small mushrooms started to grow in all my pots.
Then Mealy bugs showed up next! Nothing I used would kill them off and only
hurt my plants more. Every one of my plants ended up dying from either fungus
or the pesticides I used. (See page: "Fungicide & Pesticide") for
the most effective and safest fungicide and pesticide ever!!!
I had been too
afraid to buy or grow anymore plants for a while. It was not until I heard that
you can and should sterilize your potting soil did I regain some hope back.
Ever since I tried cooking my own soil; I have not had any pest problems! See page
"Fungicide & Pesticide" for extra preventive methods for fungus
and pests.
I perform
many tests over the years. One test I put cooked soil in one pot and non-cooked
soil in another. Then placed the same kind of flower seeds in each pot; and
waited. By day three Gnats were already in the non-cooked pot mix. But, even
after one month or two months later; no Gnats or other pests bothered the pot
with cooked soil. It was amazing to see the results so clearly.
Please test this method for yourself if you too are having
similar problems. For more on fungus and pest preventive/control see page
"Fungicide & Pesticide." I went through trial and air before
finding out what really works and what was plant and animal safe! I hope to
help others with what I have learned. See below for Microwaving Soil
Instructions...
What
you will need to sterilize your potting soil...
1. Microwave
2. Strong
Freezer Ziploc bags (flimsy sandwich bags will melt in microwave)
3. Oven
mitts
4. Potting
soil
Instructions: Put 32oz of potting mix into a Large Ziploc
bag (about half a bag). Next, set your microwave on power High; for 2 minutes
15 seconds. Place half full bag of potting mix into microwave; and remember to
LEAVE BAG OPEN!!! Then hit Start. When one bag is cooking you can be filling
another. Once, the microwave beeps, remove hot soil carefully with your hands
or wear oven mitts. (I prefer oven mitts!!!) Zip the bag up and let it cool off
some before use; or keep it sealed and use it later. There is some info online
about "over cooking your soil" and that is will "become toxic to
your plants" I am not sure how long you would have to cook your soil
before it does become toxic. I have not experienced any problems growing plants
or seedlings with a cook time of 2 minutes 15 second on high in the microwave.
There are ways to cook more soil at one time using your oven. But I have tried
that and it really stinks up the old-house!!! Here is a link I found recently
with oven baking instruction www.momsbudget.com/containergardening/sterilizeoven.html.
It sounds like this person also knows the smell of oven baked soil.
Good idea
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