You've found the famous Dave's Garden website! Join this friendly global community that shares tips and ideas for home and gardens, along with seeds and plants!
Check out the DG homepage for a brief overview of what you'll find in this gardening mega-site.
Login
If you don't have an account yet, visit the registration page to sign up.
I've read in a few places that it's a good idea to sterilize your soil-less mix before starting seeds, and it seemed like a good idea.
The directions I saw said 6 minutes in the microwave would do it, but of course I had to improvise. I thought, well, I sterilize canning jars and so forth for 10 minutes, so wouldn't that be better? Well, the soil is in the microwave, and I'm on the phone with the mechanic, when I smell smoke... I dash around the kitchen, sniffing, phone to my ear, and I track the source to a little tendril of smoke emerging from the microwave. Egad! I turn off the microwave and peer inside, and I see tiny coals among the soil particles. Egad!! Fortunately, the tupperware container isn't melting or anything, and I slap the lid on to deprive my little fire of oxygen. I quickly finish my business with the mechanic, who is probably wondering why I seem suddenly distracted, and I take the container of soil outside to cool down. Egad!!! Who knew??!?!! Well, no harm done, and I'm pretty sure my mix is sterile now!
I though I would pass this story along as a word of warning not to exceed that recommended 6 minutes in the microwave!!
BTW, the Pro-mix plus perlite mixture in question has been dampened for use, but still has a smokey smell (imagine that). Do you suppose there's any reason not to use it for winter-sowing?
This thread has 16 replies. This forum is accessible only to subscribing members of Dave's Garden. There are many free features here, and about half of our forums are completely open to all members. Take a tour of our site and learn more about Dave's Garden, and explore the benefits of becoming a subscribing member.
