It's spring. You have already sown the first seeds and individual plants have already grown he althy. But suddenly pests appear or fungal pathogens spread on the leaves. Steaming the sowing soil might have prevented this
How should you dampen seed soil?
The previouslymoistenedsowing soil is heated in the oven at a temperature of200 °C. Whether with circulating air or top/bottom heat: steaming in the oven should be done for at least30 minutes.
Why should seed soil be steamed or heated?
Steaming or heating the sowing soil is recommended in order to kill anyfungal pathogens, bacteria, pestsand their eggs as well asweed seeds The sown seeds can therefore germinate and grow free from competition and hostile pests and diseases.
What happens when the sowing soil is dampened?
The heat or the resulting hotSteam causes proteins to coagulate. This destroys all life in the earth. After steaming, the potting soil is sterile.
How can the sowing soil be dampened?
As an alternative to the oven, you can also steam the seed soil in themicrowave. You should use the highest setting and steam the sowing soil for about 10 minutes.
What should you pay attention to when steaming the seed soil?
The sowing soil should be distributedflatlyin afireproof form. For example, you can use a baking tray, a roasting pan without a lid or a casserole dish. It is important that you do not put plastic pots with sowing soil in the oven.
Distributing the sowing soil evenly is important so that the heat can penetrate everything. It is also recommended to stir the soil once while steaming. After steaming, the sowing soil should cool down for several hours before use.
Can seed soil be used without steaming first?
Sowing soilcan can also be used without steaming first. However, the risk for the seedling or young plant of being weakened by a fungal infection, a pest infestation or other things is then greater.
As a rule, sowing soil or growing soil is already germ-free. But there are exceptions and if you really want to be on the safe side, steam the sowing soil before use. Steaming the sowing soil is particularly advisable if it is soil you have made yourself.
Tip
Don’t overdo the steaming
Since steaming also destroys important microorganisms that the plants later need to thrive, only the sowing soil should be steamed and not the later planting, flower or garden soil.
