|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Christoph teh goat luvr
Drugstore Cowboy


Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 1,261
Loc: Louisiana
|
how should I sterilize my cacing substrate?
#3973897 - 03/26/05 07:53 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
I am mixing my casing substrate as we speak and I was wondering about the best way to sterilize it. Is it ok to just pop my subrate into the microwave for 10 min then let it cool and add it to my substrate? or should I put it in a pillow case and boil for 45 min? I am using peat moss and verm.
|
derx
who run it


Registered: 05/29/03
Posts: 2,459
Loc: dx/dt
|
|
i'd go with microwave, sounds good. make sure there is proper water content because dry verm melts plastic. I suggest a larger glass bowl.
-------------------- better living through chemistry OVERGROW the government!! it's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedom, ok, thats what it is.
|
Christoph teh goat luvr
Drugstore Cowboy


Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 1,261
Loc: Louisiana
|
Re: how should I sterilize my cacing substrate? [Re: derx]
#3973909 - 03/26/05 07:58 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
Ok, thanx derx! As far as water content it should just be moist and kinda soggy right?
|
derx
who run it


Registered: 05/29/03
Posts: 2,459
Loc: dx/dt
|
|
well if you're microwaving, some of the water will turn to vapor (evaporation) So you'll want it a little more wet than what teks call for, that is, when you squeeze a handful, a drip of water comes out. Just monitor it and if it ends up being too dry afterwards (dont touch it, just visually examine) you can always redo it with extra water content.
-------------------- better living through chemistry OVERGROW the government!! it's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedom, ok, thats what it is.
|
PawPaw
Picktish TexasStyle....

Registered: 12/20/04
Posts: 8,243
Loc: was born down in the sout...
|
|
Get a baking bag and use the oven ...use a temp probe so it doesnt get over 180 degrees  Microwaving isnt pastuerization dude...dont do it that way because you cant regulate a temp that way
-------------------- Come to Paw Paws place there will be no sleeping tonight
Eric just wants to catch reds .. Don?t look back, don?t look back He?s right on your trail Don?t look back, don?t look back He?s just a step away from hell WDYWFM?
Edited by PawPaw (03/26/05 08:21 PM)
|
agar
old hand


Registered: 11/21/04
Posts: 9,056
Loc: Somewhere Else
|
|
Casing mixture is one thing. Substrate in a differing thing.
I gather you are talking about a "casing" mixture, as you refer to peat & verm. If you use "peat" - you need to add a buffering agent to adjust PH
How - you can semi-sterilize a 50/50 verm/coir or verm/peat casing mixture
Hydrate to feild capacity, place in a large glass pyrex type bowl, set 2 or 3 glass plates on top bowl (to hold in some degree of steam & moisture), nuke several times, 2 & 1/2 minutes each, rotate/re-postion bowl - each time segment. Don't remove plates until cooled to room temp & ready to use.
--------------------
|
PawPaw
Picktish TexasStyle....

Registered: 12/20/04
Posts: 8,243
Loc: was born down in the sout...
|
Re: how should I sterilize my cacing substrate? [Re: agar]
#3973985 - 03/26/05 08:23 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
well damn maybe you can use a microwave but thats not really pastuerization
-------------------- Come to Paw Paws place there will be no sleeping tonight
Eric just wants to catch reds .. Don?t look back, don?t look back He?s right on your trail Don?t look back, don?t look back He?s just a step away from hell WDYWFM?
|
derx
who run it


Registered: 05/29/03
Posts: 2,459
Loc: dx/dt
|
Re: how should I sterilize my cacing substrate? [Re: PawPaw]
#3973994 - 03/26/05 08:25 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
paw, who said anything about pasteurize?
-------------------- better living through chemistry OVERGROW the government!! it's not a war on drugs, it's a war on personal freedom, ok, thats what it is.
|
PawPaw
Picktish TexasStyle....

Registered: 12/20/04
Posts: 8,243
Loc: was born down in the sout...
|
Re: how should I sterilize my cacing substrate? [Re: derx]
#3974037 - 03/26/05 08:38 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
My bad *slinks away quietly
-------------------- Come to Paw Paws place there will be no sleeping tonight
Eric just wants to catch reds .. Don?t look back, don?t look back He?s right on your trail Don?t look back, don?t look back He?s just a step away from hell WDYWFM?
|
agar
old hand


Registered: 11/21/04
Posts: 9,056
Loc: Somewhere Else
|
Re: how should I sterilize my cacing substrate? [Re: PawPaw]
#3974050 - 03/26/05 08:41 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
If you have autoclave bags, or thick mil PP bags?
I simply combine casing mixture, hydrate to feild capacity, fill bag 3/4 full. Use large rubber band to hold bag neck closed (not so tight steam cannot escape), nuke several times 2 & 1/2 minutes each -reposition bag or flip over with each time segment.
Once done, add another rubber band, air tight. Cool to room temp.
Easy, no fuss, mess, will store well in bag several weeks & has never contam'ed in bag, or use yet.
I know it is not pasturization. No matter, it's very effective.
 I patch with same bagged mix - after cropping each flush. EXAMPLE
 4th flush
 3rd flush
 2nd flush
 1st flush
|
Christoph teh goat luvr
Drugstore Cowboy


Registered: 02/27/05
Posts: 1,261
Loc: Louisiana
|
Re: how should I sterilize my cacing substrate? [Re: agar]
#3974128 - 03/26/05 09:06 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
|
|
wow! nice! well I just got done microwacing my casing layer of 50% verm and 50% peat moss with a little over a table spoon of cruched egg shell. think that should be good? This is my first time casing and I am very excited. Any other tips or things I should know?
|
|