Full Version: sterilized compost
i was advised when buying my new grow set up to use sterilized compost,is this a good thing? i have four seeds germinating in it right now but don`t want to get growing and future problems. advice most welcome.
All ready-made compost should be sterilised - to kill fungi, bacteria, seeds and spores ... though some organic growers choose to add friendly organisms...
The high temperature generated during composting kills weed seeds and disease, making the compost sterile.
i`m such a sucker! you know what they say about a fool and his money 
I doubt you were ripped off.
What brand was it ?
What brand was it ?
QUOTE (compostverte @ Apr 5 2009, 06:30 PM) 
I doubt you were ripped off.
What brand was it ?
What brand was it ?
special mix from holland,£10,can get 3 levingtons for that.
Some people swear by specialist composts and feeds.
Quite a few of them get significantly better results than I do with B&Q MP ...
Quite a few of them get significantly better results than I do with B&Q MP ...
High Ratdog and all,
You shouldn't go wrong if all other variables work right mate, you just paid few quids extra. I think your plants should grow healthy and you should expect no problems with wired insects.
Good luck.
Dr
You shouldn't go wrong if all other variables work right mate, you just paid few quids extra. I think your plants should grow healthy and you should expect no problems with wired insects.
Good luck.
Dr
Unlikely that 99% of compost you buy is sterilized ...
QUOTE (ripthedrift @ Apr 5 2009, 08:06 PM)
Unlikely that 99% of compost you buy is sterilized ...
do you use it rip?
no sorry mate I should have answered a little more clearly (very stoned and far away at the mo)
its unlikely that most compost sold as sterilized is in fact sterilized .....most compost used for bagging is sourced from green waste
The whole composting process uses a host of microbes in its 4 phases ... to indicate a pathogen,weed seed.phyto-toxin kill ... they need to hold the temps around 55 degrees for 3 days or over 65 for a few hours..(which thermophillic bacteria love)
before and after the thermophillic stage (very hot) is the mesophillic stage of composting......
its during this stage that its at its most active with a wide and diverse range of bugs at work
as it cools down (over weeks/months) it is still all ways very active
most sterilized compost is heat treated (steam) and will become active again in a few days .....
sterilised compost is dead compost
which kinda defeats the object .........
opps sorry rambling a bit
but I suspect that if you did a full biological analysis on it ... it will be teaming with little microbes
good luck
QUOTE (ripthedrift @ Apr 5 2009, 09:44 PM)
no sorry mate I should have answered a little more clearly (very stoned and far away at the mo)
its unlikely that most compost sold as sterilized is in fact sterilized .....most compost used for bagging is sourced from green waste
The whole composting process uses a host of microbes in its 4 phases ... to indicate a pathogen,weed seed.phyto-toxin kill ... they need to hold the temps around 55 degrees for 3 days or over 65 for a few hours..(which thermophillic bacteria love)
before and after the thermophillic stage (very hot) is the mesophillic stage of composting......
its during this stage that its at its most active with a wide and diverse range of bugs at work
as it cools down (over weeks/months) it is still all ways very active
most sterilized compost is heat treated (steam) and will become active again in a few days .....
sterilised compost is dead compost
which kinda defeats the object .........
opps sorry rambling a bit
but I suspect that if you did a full biological analysis on it ... it will be teaming with little microbes
good luck
its unlikely that most compost sold as sterilized is in fact sterilized .....most compost used for bagging is sourced from green waste
The whole composting process uses a host of microbes in its 4 phases ... to indicate a pathogen,weed seed.phyto-toxin kill ... they need to hold the temps around 55 degrees for 3 days or over 65 for a few hours..(which thermophillic bacteria love)
before and after the thermophillic stage (very hot) is the mesophillic stage of composting......
its during this stage that its at its most active with a wide and diverse range of bugs at work
as it cools down (over weeks/months) it is still all ways very active
most sterilized compost is heat treated (steam) and will become active again in a few days .....
sterilised compost is dead compost
which kinda defeats the object .........
opps sorry rambling a bit
but I suspect that if you did a full biological analysis on it ... it will be teaming with little microbes
good luck
well i`l do a test, and if i get bad results i`l do a v brief diary!!!! nothing to lose,got nutrients and a bit of well rotted horse manure if things get ugly!
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