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overwintering Winter-Summer in OZ "Comparison" / Aussie Blabberers
- Thread starter Nova
- Start date
So have ripped them, nice roots on them.
Will be sterilising the system later before I put new stuff in.
Now I have soaked some new seeds in 20% bleach solution, will do that for 24hrs and have some jiffy pellets ready in a new germ box warming up waiting for the babies tomorrow. Fingers crossed
Am freaking out a bit though cos I used the ph tester to test the water for jiffy pellets and that has been in the infected system. I did wash it but wasn't sure if it would be ok to soak that in bleach as it might ruin the probe. Do you reckon I should throw out all those jiffy pellets and sterilise the germ box and start again just in case???
Will be sterilising the system later before I put new stuff in.
Now I have soaked some new seeds in 20% bleach solution, will do that for 24hrs and have some jiffy pellets ready in a new germ box warming up waiting for the babies tomorrow. Fingers crossed
Am freaking out a bit though cos I used the ph tester to test the water for jiffy pellets and that has been in the infected system. I did wash it but wasn't sure if it would be ok to soak that in bleach as it might ruin the probe. Do you reckon I should throw out all those jiffy pellets and sterilise the germ box and start again just in case???
Bye Bye 
So have ripped them, nice roots on them.
Will be sterilising the system later before I put new stuff in.
Now I have soaked some new seeds in 20% bleach solution, will do that for 24hrs and have some jiffy pellets ready in a new germ box warming up waiting for the babies tomorrow. Fingers crossed
Am freaking out a bit though cos I used the ph tester to test the water for jiffy pellets and that has been in the infected system. I did wash it but wasn't sure if it would be ok to soak that in bleach as it might ruin the probe. Do you reckon I should throw out all those jiffy pellets and sterilise the germ box and start again just in case???
Hmmm not to be negative but I think to be safe I would.
Spores could easily have been transferred to the water via the pH probe. Best way would be to put the probe in Boiling water or pour boiling water over the probe (as long as it doesn't have to much plastic on it) and/or to clean it with an acidic solution (HCL from a pool supply shop is best)or alcohol.
I didn't sterilise it because it is only 2 weeks old and cost a fortune so was going to ask someone best way first so I didnt ruin it. I don't think boiling water (temp that high) is good for them and wasn't sure if the bleach would affect it. I wasn't going to use it and then forgot and put it into the water after.
I really can't be stuffed throwing them out and doing it again but I guess I better
I knew the answer but didn't want to admit it.
I love creating work for myself!
I really can't be stuffed throwing them out and doing it again but I guess I better
I knew the answer but didn't want to admit it.I love creating work for myself!
All done and totally sterilised! Here is to looking forward and keeping positive!
i have decided to put the seeds that are soaking onto the heat mat as well. It may help in softening or the temp may help germination a bit quicker I was thinking.
i have decided to put the seeds that are soaking onto the heat mat as well. It may help in softening or the temp may help germination a bit quicker I was thinking.
I have always (whenever I soak any type of seed) kept them in a warm spot while soaking. Some (my Aji Lemon) even started sprouting in the soaking solution slightly after 24 hours!! It makes sense that a warmer solution will soften the seed casing better then a cooler one in my opinion.
Positive thoughts go out to you Wildfire!!! I am sure this season will bring you great success. Through Adversity Comes Strength!
Thanks Trippa!
Yes the warmth can only help. just gives it a head start which is what I need.
Good luck to us all
Yes the warmth can only help. just gives it a head start which is what I need.
Good luck to us all
Good on ya Candice! I can hear you roar from here. 
I put some more seeds down yesterday. Two each of- THSC Rocoto, Nagabon, Choc Bhut, Aji Orange, Goats Weed, Po Cheong, Choc Cherry, Pimenta de Neyde, Peach Bhut, Primo 7-pod, Orange Lantern and one Lemon Bhut. Should be getting some white bhut and 7-pod seeds soon and also purple bhut.
I put some more seeds down yesterday. Two each of- THSC Rocoto, Nagabon, Choc Bhut, Aji Orange, Goats Weed, Po Cheong, Choc Cherry, Pimenta de Neyde, Peach Bhut, Primo 7-pod, Orange Lantern and one Lemon Bhut. Should be getting some white bhut and 7-pod seeds soon and also purple bhut.
Brace yourselves for a game of 20 questions....
What range should water pH be in? The same range soil pH should be in? Like, should I be trying to get them both within the optimal range? (and what is that, BTW? I hear different things!)
Finally got around to testing the pH of my tap water today and turns out it's alkaline at like 7.4. So I should be trying to lower the pH, right? And is something like vinegar safe to use?
Got a soil testing kit too but have yet to test any of my mediums.
Also picked up some Water Ager while I was at it to remove all that crappy chlorine from my tap water. Anyone had any experience with the stuff? If it's safe for fish, should be safe to use for watering plants, right?
What range should water pH be in? The same range soil pH should be in? Like, should I be trying to get them both within the optimal range? (and what is that, BTW? I hear different things!)
Finally got around to testing the pH of my tap water today and turns out it's alkaline at like 7.4. So I should be trying to lower the pH, right? And is something like vinegar safe to use?
Got a soil testing kit too but have yet to test any of my mediums.
Also picked up some Water Ager while I was at it to remove all that crappy chlorine from my tap water. Anyone had any experience with the stuff? If it's safe for fish, should be safe to use for watering plants, right?
thanks Nova. Sorry to everyone for whinging so much before, it will get better.The white 7Pot and Bhut I'm really looking forward too as well as purple bhut and Chocolate Scorpion. As long as they are like their red sisters should be great! I have a small white 7 Pot overwintering that I was hoping to do better in spring so i can get some pods early but may have to chuck it away as I did water it once with the "contaminated" water.
Will be starting more seeds though when I get out of hospital so at least i have back up.
Brace yourselves for a game of 20 questions....
What range should water pH be in? The same range soil pH should be in? Like, should I be trying to get them both within the optimal range? (and what is that, BTW? I hear different things!)
Finally got around to testing the pH of my tap water today and turns out it's alkaline at like 7.4. So I should be trying to lower the pH, right? And is something like vinegar safe to use?
Got a soil testing kit too but have yet to test any of my mediums.
Also picked up some Water Ager while I was at it to remove all that crappy chlorine from my tap water. Anyone had any experience with the stuff? If it's safe for fish, should be safe to use for watering plants, right?
I try and get a ph of around 5.5 - 6.5 in the water but stay at about 6 usually.
I started using lime juice in the water to reduce the ph (thinking it was more natural) but was having lots of fluctuations every day. When I asked the hydro shop they advised just to use the PH down that you can buy as the lime juice may not be that stable. Since I stopped using the lime juice the ph stayed a lot more regular, so perhaps vinegar isn't a good idea?
Ah yeah, I saw some pH down for fish water.... it would be the same stuff, right?
Just took quite a few random soil samples from different plants and most of them came in at around 6.0-6.5.
Except for a batch of potting mix I mixed yesterday that came in at 8.0...
and of course, I just transplanted four plants in it yesterday!The funny thing is, it is my standard mix so I don't know why it is different. Reckon I should try and amend it ASAP or should I give it a little while and see what happens? (maybe it has to "settle" or something? I dunno!)
Ah yeah, I saw some pH down for fish water.... it would be the same stuff, right?
Just took quite a few random soil samples from different plants and most of them came in at around 6.0-6.5.
Except for a batch of potting mix I mixed yesterday that came in at 8.0...
The funny thing is, it is my standard mix so I don't know why it is different. Reckon I should try and amend it ASAP or should I give it a little while and see what happens? (maybe it has to "settle" or something? I dunno!)
Flush it with some water with known pH of around 6.0 a couple of times and then take another reading. Sometimes those potting mixes can sit for a while and build up salts etc which throw off the pH in them.
You may be right, trips. The bag of potting mix I used in my mix yesterday even looked old and had a slight funny smell to it. Stupid thing is, I went against my better judgement and used it anyway....
Wondering now if I should try and amend the batch or just toss it and cut my losses......
Yeah I'm 99.9% sure that the fish down will be the same stuff.
I don't really test my soil or potting mix and usually do alright, but only because it can get time consuming.
Isn't it funny how we go against our better juddgement just to save a little time and then it works out taking more time to fix!
If it's old it could have other problems in it especially if the bag was open. Also it could have deterioated or broken down some of the nutrients so perhaps you are just better starting again fresh especially since the roots wouldn't have spread into it yet.
I don't really test my soil or potting mix and usually do alright, but only because it can get time consuming.
Isn't it funny how we go against our better juddgement just to save a little time and then it works out taking more time to fix!
If it's old it could have other problems in it especially if the bag was open. Also it could have deterioated or broken down some of the nutrients so perhaps you are just better starting again fresh especially since the roots wouldn't have spread into it yet.
It wasn't even that.... I just really felt like gardening!
Yeah, might be a plan.
On the bright side, I get to do more gardening tomorrow
but it still sucks.... the potting mix and coir brick I used, not a problem - cheap as chips, but it sure is a shame to flush a litre of Dynamic Lifter and 3L of perlite down the drain.Sorry, Candice, I shouldn't complain... I know you've had it alot worse so far this season!
EDIT:
May be worthwhile still chucking the batch in the big ol' pile of spent soil from last season and composted manure I got going?
It wasn't even that.... I just really felt like gardening!
Yeah, might be a plan.
On the bright side, I get to do more gardening tomorrow
Sorry, Candice, I shouldn't complain... I know you've had it alot worse so far this season!
EDIT:
May be worthwhile still chucking the batch in the big ol' pile of spent soil from last season and composted manure I got going?
Don't chuck it out completely if you have room or a existing pile of soil definitely keep it as additional soil for your garden .. Just might not be ideal for containers .
Changed my mind yet again.
I'm gonna flush the lot as you suggested then mix in a 15L bag of Brunnings Tomato Magic potting mix and see what happens. If it's still crappy after that, then it's into the pile.
Dunno yet what I'm going to do with the plants already in the stuff though. Might try flushing them too before re-potting.
I think the plants will be fine, you have only had them in there such a short time and once you water it in it will be liking flushing them. The only thing I was concerned about was if it was an open bag where bacteria etc had been growing in.
No, please complain, it makes me feel better
Guess what I think I stuffed up again!! My brain and memory is so not working properly since being pregnant. You know how I was soaking my seeds, well I just read that the bleach solution should be 10% not 20% and should be soaked for 5 mins then rinsed not 24 hrs!!! Put them in this arvo but they were bright white with the outer case see through. Don't think they will germinate but I will put it down to an experiment Just spewing cos now I only have 6 chocolate scorpion seeds left, the one I was most excited about. I have never had so many of these problems before and just put it down to not thinking straight. Oh well will see in a couple of weeks....
No, please complain, it makes me feel better
Guess what I think I stuffed up again!! My brain and memory is so not working properly since being pregnant. You know how I was soaking my seeds, well I just read that the bleach solution should be 10% not 20% and should be soaked for 5 mins then rinsed not 24 hrs!!! Put them in this arvo but they were bright white with the outer case see through. Don't think they will germinate but I will put it down to an experiment
Just spewing cos now I only have 6 chocolate scorpion seeds left, the one I was most excited about. I have never had so many of these problems before and just put it down to not thinking straight. Oh well will see in a couple of weeks....