Hydroton cleaning

[Joe Geoffroy]

Hello All

The bottom of my plastic pots are turning black and I would like to clean up the hydroton.

Is there a preffered method for cleaning and sterilizing?

Thanks
Joe

[orchids4me]

Good question...
I to would like to see how othere do this. I'm sure there are a few ways
So

[PhalNewbie89]

Same here, I am never sure how to clean mine. More bumping.

[syndywindy]

I soak mine with in water with a touch of bleach, rinse very well and then I put them in the oven for about an hour at 275 degrees.

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by syndywindy

I soak mine with in water with a touch of bleach, rinse very well and then I put them in the oven for about an hour at 275 degrees.

Thanks syndy, but I have one How do you tell when their done I'm sorry I just couldn't resist

As for the plastic pots. I wash my plastic pots in the kitchen sink in some Dawn w/bleach,hot water, let them soak a little bit and then give them a good scrubbing, rinse with hot water and air dry in the dish drainer.

Oh, and if some of the pots are just plain nasty they go in the circular file

[Ray]

My process for reusing LECA is as follows:

1. Let it dry thoroughly.
2. "Winnow" it in a breeze or fan blast to remove any remaining organic bits.
3. Soak it for at least 24 hours in water containing either a tablespoon of Physan or a couple of ounces of bleach.
4. Dump that solution, then soak again in an excess of water (about 2 gallons of water per gallon of LECA) containing about a tablespoon per gallon of calcium nitrate and/or Epsom Salts to help extract mineral residues.

[Joe Geoffroy]

Thanks Ray I knew I count on you........

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by sunshine

Thanks syndy, but I have one How do you tell when their done I'm sorry I just couldn't resist

:

When I insert a toothpick and it comes out clean, of course.

[maria1971]

I do a soaking/cleaning method which ray mentioned. I soak, rinse, soak rinse. Takes about a week.

It's easier if you have buckets.

[edgy]

Originally Posted by Ray

My process for reusing LECA is as follows:

1. Let it dry thoroughly.
2. "Winnow" it in a breeze or fan blast to remove any remaining organic bits.
3. Soak it for at least 24 hours in water containing either a tablespoon of Physan or a couple of ounces of bleach.
4. Dump that solution, then soak again in an excess of water (about 2 gallons of water per gallon of LECA) containing about a tablespoon per gallon of calcium nitrate and/or Epsom Salts to help extract mineral residues.

You're the man Ray!

[tangers40]

i soak mine in hot water with some physan, then scrub with a scrubby brush after a soak.

[Joe Geoffroy]

Tangers40

You actually scrub every clay ball

[tangers40]

Originally Posted by Joe Geoffroy

Tangers40

You actually scrub every clay ball

haha nooooooooooooooooooo

i'm nowhere near that patient. i just dump them in a bucket, take my big scrubby brush to them en masse, then call it good.