reusing hydroton...how to sterilize?

[tangers40]

i know LECA (and hydroton in particular) can be reused, but i was wondering how one goes about cleaning and sterilizing it? i'm planning to replace some in a couple pots of mine that are just full of algae, but of course i'm cheap and don't want to just throw it away lol.

i plan on scrubbing the algae off with a toothbrush, but what do i do after that? can they be soaked in a bleach solution? the only concern i have there is, would they absorb the bleach somewhat, then transfer that bleach out into the roots of the next plant you use it on? or would boiling them be a better idea?

[berkeleysgr8]

I think I would boil it, rather than bleach it. That should help get rid of any salts that may have built up and sanitize it too. I probably wouldn't bother with scrubbing the algae off. I wonder what others think?

[FLBob]

Most people I know that re-use aliflor, leca, hydroton what ever the brand, place them in the oven and bake them. I'm a bleach and sun guy myself.

[Undergrounder]

I pop them in a pressure cooker with some water and PC them for 20 mins or so.

[Ray]

As likely the longest user of s/h culture, I probably have the most experience with cleaning.

My preferred technique is:

1. Let the material dry thoroughly.
2. "Winnow" it in a breeze or fan blast to get rid of any pieces of organic matter in the medium.
3. Soak it in water containing 1/2 cup Physan or 2 cups bleach per 5 gallons, for about 48 hours.
4. Drain that, refill with plain water, and soak that for about 24-48 hours before reuse.

If there is a significant mineral buildup, add calcium carbonate and/or magnesium sulfate (a tablespoon per gallon each) to that last soak water.

Use of the oven works to disinfect the medium if you give it at least an hour at 500°F. Microwave does not, as it merely heats the water to boiling so it evaporates. Likewise with boiling on the stove top. There are microorganisms that can survive that temperature. A pressure cooker takes the temp up sufficiently to kill many that can survive 212°F.

[syndywindy]

Not that I've done this as I have a huge bag of hydroton and haven't used it all, but what would the ramifications be if not cleansing it before reusing?

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by syndywindy

Not that I've done this as I have a huge bag of hydroton and haven't used it all, but what would the ramifications be if not cleansing it before reusing?

pestilence and swarms of destructive insects are among the possibilities

[tangers40]

my main issue for cleaning it is the algae. it's unsightly and i'd like to get it off of there, as well as any other nasties that may have found their way into the LECA.

ty ray. i figure if anybody knows, it'd be you

[Brooke]

Synda if it had been used in a container of a virused plant, then the next plant would get the virus.

Brooke

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by tangers40

my main issue for cleaning it is the algae. it's unsightly and i'd like to get it off of there, as well as any other nasties that may have found their way into the LECA.

ty ray. i figure if anybody knows, it'd be you

I have "nice" algae . I don't go out of my way to discourage or encourage it. It "happens". I think that it is beneficial in my growing environment.

--Stitz--

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by Stitz

I have "nice" algae . I don't go out of my way to discourage or encourage it. It "happens". I think that it is beneficial in my growing environment.

--Stitz--

I agree. I only clean the algae if it really starts to overtake my container and makes it really difficult to see roots. For me that mostly occurs during the summer when mine are outside.

[tangers40]

Originally Posted by Stitz

I have "nice" algae . I don't go out of my way to discourage or encourage it. It "happens". I think that it is beneficial in my growing environment.

--Stitz--

lol i have the ugly algae some of my pots are prone to it, some aren't. but when i get ready to repot a couple of them, i'll bust out the fresh hydroton for them, then clean the old stuff up. all newly repotted plants are gonna be placed inside something (an empty clay pot or what not) to keep the algae out from now on. i know it's not harmful to the plant, but it looks ugly sometimes.

[Schlyne]

can we get this as a sticky?

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by Ray

A pressure cooker takes the temp up sufficiently to kill many that can survive 212°F.

A pressure cooker is a small, simple version of an autoclave. This will sterilize the material when it is done for a sufficient period.

Use care with the words sterilize, sanitize and disinfect. These words are not interchangeable. Their definitions describe distinct situations and outcomes.

....better late than never!


--Stitz--