Cooked Soil Anyone ?

So on a recent trip to my local Hydro Store, I was, as usual, bending the ear of the self proclaimed expert\owner and I asked ...what is the best way to make sure my soil has no bugs before I use it? And he said you can always cook it. With out missing a beat I said that makes sense. I'll do that. of course I hadn't thought the process through. On the way home I began picturing myself wrestling this 50 lb.bag of soil into my oven. That is if I could even get it past my wife! Surely the bag would melt? that brought up another question How Hot? So before I need a good divorce lawyer can some one clear this up for me ? what is the best way to heat soil to the point that it kills insects ? what is that temp? doesn't the decomposition / composting process create enough heat ? does this also kill the beneficial microbial activity? I know I'm asking a lot so I'll give + rep for good answers thanks and ....J.L..

When I did this for my first grow I placed it on like 350degrees sometimes hotter(no hotter than 400) worked for me! you may want to add perilte and a few other what nots youll be fine.

Do you even know for sure if you have bugs.......? Take soil out for about a 1gal pot, water it wait a few days and put in a secluded room and check for bugs. Or when you go to hydro store get bags that are still on Pallet wrapped in cellophane fresh......In......
Demand for it Esp. if when talking to them a Fungus Gnat flies between your conversation....that was funny when that happened.

True organic soil should have bugs in it. There is no way in hell i am going to wrestle 1000lbs of soil into my oven! That's how much soil i am working with for this crop. IMHO don't bother cooking it. If and when insects come out, proably will. Find a way to manage them. Your better off taking biological control of soil and getting mosquito dunks(kills mosquito larvae but doesnt harm microbes) and putting in diametacious earth. And doctor doom if you need it.

You want to pasteurize not sterilize heat it to 160F for a couple hours. If you go to hot you will kill the beneficial microbes also which you dont want. An oven depending on size can only hold a few gallons at a time so for bulk work look into mushroom substrate pasteurization thatl give you some ideas. Oven bags for cooking turkeys in are grate so are big aluminum pans with lids kinda catering pans. Hydrate your soil then bake at about 250-300F depending on oven mixing here and there until the center temp, use a meat thermometer, is about 160F then turn the oven down to warm and keep there for couple hours.

LOL Good luck with all that!

Since my wife has her own CCW and 1911, the thought never even crossed my mind, and never will.

Why not make your own mix? No bugs at all to contend with and it's cheaper and better to boot.

I've never bought any bagged mix and just can't really comprehend it. Spend all that $$$$ and you STILL need to amend it further for decent results.

Wet

paying for soil, is like paying for poop. You can get it for free if you just look in the toilet!

People here aren't really growing in true soil, though. What you buy or make is still technically a soil-less mix. Other potting soils are still largely derived from soil-less components most notably sphagnum peat, coco coir and perlite. The humus/compost/vermi and other ingredients (such as guano) are what make it more characteristic of a 'soil' and impart carbon/organic matter and life (life is very important here). When you cook it, you kill EVERYTHING.

Prevention and biological controls are the best bet in organics. Harmless\beneficial micro-arthropods are also contributing directly to the soil food web and health of the soil. Hypoaspis mites and nematodes are probably the ideal bio-controls, even indoors. I only have the former in my soil but they seem to do an adequate job on their own, and also seem resilient enough to last soil recycling, drier conditions, hotter conditions, etc. I sleep within 4 feet of thousands of these mites and they really aren't a nuisance (just don't sleep on top of your pot plants).

Nice job Nullis! Truly an excellent piece of advice to working in harmony with the soil food web instead of against it

TheOrganic said:

Do you even know for sure if you have bugs.......? Take soil out for about a 1gal pot, water it wait a few days and put in a secluded room and check for bugs. Or when you go to hydro store get bags that are still on Pallet wrapped in cellophane fresh......In......
Demand for it Esp. if when talking to them a Fungus Gnat flies between your conversation....that was funny when that happened.

Click to expand...

out of the last 8 bags of Roots Organic I actualy saw adult fungus gnats flying out of 6 bags as I opened them, and I've had problems with Fox Farms, so now I use Basement Mix from Royal Gold its awsome but so was Roots till the bugs.I just don't want to deal with bugs anymore . You make a good point about the pallet wrap. I'm starting to think the problems I've been having are related to the shop I go to. I like the testing Idea . Thanks ...J.L...

Wetdog said:

LOL Good luck with all that!

Since my wife has her own CCW and 1911, the thought never even crossed my mind, and never will.

Why not make your own mix? No bugs at all to contend with and it's cheaper and better to boot.

I've never bought any bagged mix and just can't really comprehend it. Spend all that $$$$ and you STILL need to amend it further for decent results.

Wet

Click to expand...

I like the Idea of mixing my own but most mixes start with a base like Roots in Subcools Super Soil. Can you make any recomendations?

use any soil or mix you want - just put an inch or so of sand on top of it . Helps keep moister in longer also ..... no knats ...

ExtremeMetal43 said:

You want to pasteurize not sterilize heat it to 160F for a couple hours. If you go to hot you will kill the beneficial microbes also which you dont want. An oven depending on size can only hold a few gallons at a time so for bulk work look into mushroom substrate pasteurization thatl give you some ideas. Oven bags for cooking turkeys in are grate so are big aluminum pans with lids kinda catering pans. Hydrate your soil then bake at about 250-300F depending on oven mixing here and there until the center temp, use a meat thermometer, is about 160F then turn the oven down to warm and keep there for couple hours.

Click to expand...

So I should add water first ? I guess that makes sense. how much ? wet or just moist ? I'll chek out the substrate pasturization thanks ..J.L..

Jeffdt1966 said:

use any soil or mix you want - just put an inch or so of sand on top of it . Helps keep moister in longer also ..... no knats ...

Click to expand...

I've done it all. The sand thing just made a big mess and I had overwatering issues. I figured out a better way and I currently have no bugs. I just want to keep it that way. you are right, it will work, its just not for me. thanks ..J.L..

Nullis said:

People here aren't really growing in true soil, though. What you buy or make is still technically a soil-less mix. Other potting soils are still largely derived from soil-less components most notably sphagnum peat, coco coir and perlite. The humus/compost/vermi and other ingredients (such as guano) are what make it more characteristic of a 'soil' and impart carbon/organic matter and life (life is very important here). When you cook it, you kill EVERYTHING.

Prevention and biological controls are the best bet in organics. Harmless\beneficial micro-arthropods are also contributing directly to the soil food web and health of the soil. are probably the ideal bio-controls, even indoors. I only have the former in my soil but they seem to do an adequate job on their own, and also seem resilient enough to last soil recycling, drier conditions, hotter conditions, etc. I sleep within 4 feet of thousands of these mites and they really aren't a nuisance (just don't sleep on top of your pot plants).

Click to expand...

Sounds great, where can I find more info on or evan purchase Hypoaspis mites and nematodes ? thanks...J.L..

There was an ad in Skunk Magazine about a soil oven for a pretty penny but it didn't give a web site. Ill look for it and take a picture

Beansly said:

There was an ad in Skunk Magazine about a soil oven for a pretty penny but it didn't give a web site. Ill look for it and take a picture

Click to expand...

Must be something to it if they make a special oven just for soil. Thanks BEANSLY. BTW do you still have that picture of diferent leaves that shows defientcys? I lost my copy.Where can I find it ? thanks again and.. ...J.L...

i think he meant for u take the plastic bag off

here you go
View attachment 1655286

Beansly said:

here you go
View attachment 1655286

Click to expand...

great chart bro