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felixhigh
Scientist


Registered: 06/24/01
Posts: 7,557
Loc: Ly
Last seen: 1 month, 8 days
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cacti from seed - substrate sterilization - your opinion pls
#3203791 - 10/01/04 11:41 AM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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hi fellows gardeners, it is spring here in the southern hemisphere and i am planning to start some cacti from seed. i was browsing the web, the garden FAQ and read Michael Smith's page which is very good and is basically the school i intend to follow ( http://cactus-mall.com/ccc/ ), the issue is actually very simple. my microwave oven is too small for the tray i want to use (its a small oven, not a huuuuge tray), i was wondering if i would have to split the substrate into smaller trays or if i could get the big tray sufficiently sterilized by pouring a few liters of boiling water over it. i think it should emulate pretty well a microwave boiling, >>> what do you think? i plan to plant like a hundred or so seeds and i wanted most of them to survive, since the seedling stage is the most critical, the substrate care is crucial. otherwise i'll just split into smaller pots... i just wanted that only simple tray running smooth! =)
FH
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Funkey
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Registered: 12/16/02
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Re: cacti from seed - substrate sterilization - your opinion pls [Re: felixhigh]
#3203890 - 10/01/04 12:15 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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I've sterilized my substrate a few times before by just pouring boiling water on the soil. I experienced no problems, or maybe a bit more algae. But the soil was more soaked this way, and not nicely moist like it should be. I think I would microwave smaller amounts of soil, and then combine them afterwards in the big tray while still hot. Good luck with you grow and looking forward to see some pics.
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HarveyWalbanger
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Re: cacti from seed - substrate sterilization - your opinion [Re: felixhigh]
#3204047 - 10/01/04 02:28 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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If you wanted to make a massive ammount, You could always do it ghetto style.... a bon fire, and a large metal bin...
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Maverik
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Re: cacti from seed - substrate sterilization - your opinion [Re: felixhigh]
#3204208 - 10/01/04 03:02 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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I sterilize my soil in a regular oven at 400f for 45 minutes or so. Seems to work well. I'm sure you could also use a pressure cooker to sterilize with. I think you want the temperature greater than you would get by boiling.
-------------------- ~ Dead to the Core ~
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felixhigh
Scientist


Registered: 06/24/01
Posts: 7,557
Loc: Ly
Last seen: 1 month, 8 days
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Re: cacti from seed - substrate sterilization - your opinion [Re: Funkey]
#3204380 - 10/01/04 03:51 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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good idea, i think i'll sterilize the moist substrate in the microwave and dump it while still hot in the tray... pictures will come soon...
FH
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Stonehenge
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Registered: 06/20/04
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Re: cacti from seed - substrate sterilization - your opinion [Re: felixhigh]
#3204653 - 10/01/04 05:21 PM (19 years, 3 months ago) |
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I've never sterilised my soil and I don't normally use fungicide and I've had no problems at all. I'm not saying those things are not good to do, I'm just saying I don't do it. I just sprinkle the seeds on top of the soil, cover with 1 seeds thickness of sand, keep moist and wait. I put plastic wrap over the top to keep moisture in. You could use a little neem oil on the soil if you are concerned about fungus.
Stoney
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