Planning a soil run, but need something sterile

[tommy111000]

Is there anything out of the bag and sterile? My flood and drain SOG works pretty good, but I want to try something different. Don't want any bugs, fungus gnats, nothing. I've kept the bugs out for over a year and I like it that way. Any ideas for me?

 

[Granger2]

You can sterilize you own. I would use ProMix, put in pots, immerse pot and medium in 5 Tbl/gal Insecticide Soap for 20 minutes. Better put a lid on the pot so the soil doesn't float out. Flush heavily, then immerse in 3 Tbl/gal 3% Hydrogen Peroxide for 20 mins. Give it 24-48 hours for the H2O2 to degrade into H2O and O2, then take them into your room, plant, and inoculate with beneficials.

Another way would be to bake your medium for 30 mins. Good luck. -granger

 

[MileHighGuy]

Is there anything out of the bag and sterile? My flood and drain SOG works pretty good, but I want to try something different. Don't want any bugs, fungus gnats, nothing. I've kept the bugs out for over a year and I like it that way. Any ideas for me?

Want to try something different?

Try a living organic soil where bugs are your friend.

Soil is NOT sterile.... or it would be shit soil.

When you have a sterile environment you have nothing to keep the bad guys in check and things can go crazy.

Check out the True Living Organics thread over here --> https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=241964

Making your own soil would me MUCH better than a bagged soil and with a few amendments like Neem Meal and Crab Meal, your won't worry about bugs as much.... but the Buds you grow will be WELL worth it.

 

[yerboyblue]

Is there anything out of the bag and sterile? My flood and drain SOG works pretty good, but I want to try something different. Don't want any bugs, fungus gnats, nothing. I've kept the bugs out for over a year and I like it that way. Any ideas for me?

I've found using turkey bags at 170* in the oven for a few hours works very well. A few hours might be overkill, but I want to make sure the middle gets heated too, those turkey bags can hold surprisingly a lot. Make sure you turn on the vent fan in the kitchen, hot potting mix isn't the best smelling thing out there.

 

[yerboyblue]

Want to try something different?

Try a living organic soil where bugs are your friend.

Soil is NOT sterile.... or it would be shit soil.

When you have a sterile environment you have nothing to keep the bad guys in check and things can go crazy.

Check out the True Living Organics thread over here --> https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=241964

Making your own soil would me MUCH better than a bagged soil and with a few amendments like Neem Meal and Crab Meal, your won't worry about bugs as much.... but the Buds you grow will be WELL worth it.

Agreed, but sometimes nuking the dirt you bought and rebuilding the beneficials is easier than sourcing and mixing all that stuff yourself.

 

[Tonygreen]

Where there is dirt you will find bugs.
I think what you are asking for is not the best approach.

 

[MileHighGuy]

Planning a soil run, but need something sterile

Agreed, but sometimes nuking the dirt you bought and rebuilding the beneficials is easier than sourcing and mixing all that stuff yourself.

You are misinformed.

Just skip the nuking part and start the rebuilding part.

How hard is this recipe:

1 part sphagnum peat moss
1 part compost or earthworm castings
1 part aeration

Then just use the amendments you have... Or buy a few at KISorganics dot com

To me nuking soil and praying for success for 3-6 months is ten times harder than doing it right the first time. Then it's practically on auto-pilot.

And the cost is less than buying bagged soil... Or bottled nutrients.

 

[ClackamasCootz]

Any ideas for me?

Learning how plants actually grow and develop?

 

[eyes]

promix has always worked for me. wash the bales in the bath tub seams ,everywhere with soap and water b4 you open in your bug free room. anything that sits outside needs a washing. leave em in your trunk in the summer at 120 degrees. coco bales 3 different brands,loose canna coco always did me right. bug free for years.

 

[DuckDuckGoose]

how to sterilize anything doooood!!!

how to sterilize anything doooood!!!

 

[tommy111000]

promix has always worked for me. wash the bales in the bath tub seams ,everywhere with soap and water b4 you open in your bug free room. anything that sits outside needs a washing. leave em in your trunk in the summer at 120 degrees. coco bales 3 different brands,loose canna coco always did me right. bug free for years.

Thanks!