Make potting soil yourself
Potting soil can be made by yourself if a compost bin is available. The compost contains plenty of water, few nutrients and the pH value is acceptable, in principle just the right composition.
Since there is usually no “hot rotting” in the conventional compost box, which means that temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees are not reached, they remain in the ground
- Weed seeds
- Larvae and eggs of soil pests
- unwanted bacteria and viruses
- Fungal spores
- Nematodes
also read
- Steaming compost - why and how?
- Germ-free potting soil from the oven
- Why should potting soil be disinfected?
Why steam earth?
When steaming the earth, hot steam is used. This kills germs, fungi, etc. successfully. However, only as much soil should be sterilized as is needed.
Steaming temperatures
Depending on which pests are to be controlled, the steaming temperature and time change. Viruses, for example, are killed at around 90 degrees, at 70 degrees fungal spores lose their ability to germinate. Insect eggs and larvae do not survive 55 degrees. So steaming for half an hour at 90 degrees should most pests, etc. remove.
Three sterilization options
Potting soil can be sterilized in a number of ways.
In the oven
The oven is well suited for the sterilization of potting soil.
- Preheat the oven to 100 degrees.
- Take a deep baking sheet and line it with parchment paper.
- Spread the earth on it.
- Moisten the earth a little.
- Cover everything with aluminum foil.
- Steam the earth for 30 minutes.
- Let them cool down well before using.
If you do not use the soil immediately, seal it airtight in a bag. So no new germs can penetrate.
In the microwave
Here you can sterilize small amounts of soil in a short time. The moist earth is heated in a microwave vessel for 10 minutes at 600 watts.
In the pressure cooker
Earth in flat bowls (preferably grill bowls), covered with aluminum foil, is placed in the steaming attachment of the saucepan. Now water comes into the pot, then the steamer. The pot is closed with the lid. When the water boils, the valve can be closed so that pressure is created. The earth is steamed for 15 minutes.
After it has completely cooled down, the pot can be opened.
