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  • #1

    Sterilising Compost

    I would like some advice on sterilising compost please. I am eager to get my tomatoes and chillies started but am having to do this on windowsills at home. I am not eager, though, to be surrounded by lots of tiny flies. I have heard that sterilising the compost will stop this but I don't know how. Please help, I would like to sort this out before I plant on the 5th Jan (I'm trying to go with advise given to plant by the moon).
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  • #2
    use a microwave, small amounts at a time and not too long or you cook it
    Kernow rag nevra

    Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.
    Bob Dylan

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    • #3
      I thought most proprietory brands of seed compost you buy were already sterilised?
      My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
      to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

      Diversify & prosper


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      • #4
        well i have some Westland and its terrible for flies. Its a fairly new bag and we potted a few spider plants up and were inundated with tiny flies that get up your nose and into your eyes. I will be nuking (microwaving) any compost before it comes into the house again.
        We plant the seed, nature grows the seed, we eat the seed - Neil, The Young Ones

        http://countersthorpeallotment.blogspot.com/
        Updated 21st July - please take a look

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        • #5
          I thought it was over-watering that encouraged fungus gnats?
          All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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          • #6
            I remember my mother baking her compost in the oven. It stank!
            I could not live without a garden, it is my place to unwind and recover, to marvel at the power of all growing things, even weeds!
            Now a little Shrinking Violet.

            http://potagerplot.blogspot.com/

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            • #7
              Thanks for you advice. I'm not sure how long too long is though! Anything is better than being inundated by those awful little flies though!

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              • #8
                Well- I have some rolled oats for the chooks and they have weevils in them

                So - I've microwaved the small bags for 2 mins on high and that seems to have killed off all the weevils. I've never tried to microwave soil though, but thought that would be a guideline???
                "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

                Location....Normandy France

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                • #9
                  just keep the soil in a microwave for a couple of mins, if you are still worried just do it for a minute at first then check to see if it is getting too hot, then increase at 30 sec intervals
                  Kernow rag nevra

                  Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.
                  Bob Dylan

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                  • #10
                    If you are making your own compost you need to put a "lid" on it to retain the heat,which will then sterilise the stuff for you,my open bin just gets a couple of inches of soil on it,never had the fly problem.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Snadger View Post
                      I thought most proprietory brands of seed compost you buy were already sterilised?

                      I think it's supposed to be Snadger but it doesn't stop the thrips apparently. Although I do store my open bags outside so presumably that is where they come from. Micro-waving sounds like a good idea. I'm inundated with thrips and even my insectivores can't keep up.
                      Why didn't Noah just swat those 2 greenflies?

                      Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
                      >
                      >If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

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                      • #12
                        I'm going to have a go at this in the morning. I'll try it in small amounts for one minute and the see how it goes. I'll let you know. Thanks for all the advice.

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