how can i dry peat

[pearson340]

i have a tub of peat no bigger than the one you get crickets in full of peat but its damp ive put it by my radiator will this dry out the peat

 

[Moltar]

Radiator with the top off will probably work. You could also put it in a big oven-safe bowl and bake it in an oven at 250 for like, an hour. That may help kill any potential nasties (parasites, bacteria, mold, etc) that may be resident in the soil.

 

[pearson340]

thanks its on top of it now with the lid off it seems to work

 

[Talkenlate04]

I bake it at 350 for 20 minutes. Take it out and let cool and presto! Nice sterile dry substrate.

 

[pearson340]

ohh ok thanks

 

[Moltar]

I bake it at 350 for 20 minutes. Take it out and let cool and presto! Nice sterile dry substrate.

Do you think this kills mold spore? I've wondered about that.
<minor thread-jack, sorry>

 

[pearson340]

ok put it in the over now how long does it take to cool off

 

[Talkenlate04]

Do you think this kills mold spore? I've wondered about that.
<minor thread-jack, sorry>

I think it does. I got a batch of peat moss that was giving me small yellow balls of mold. I baked everything and I have not seen the mold return now.

It should only take 1/2 hour or less to be cool enough to work with.

 

[pearson340]

thank you very much

 

[pearson340]

it didnt work its just got steam coming off it the top layer was crips but underneath was a darker color its just steaming like hell ATM

 

[Frédérick]

it didnt work its just got steam coming off it the top layer was crips but underneath was a darker color its just steaming like hell ATM

this is normal and now you have sterile substrate

 

[pearson340]

i need dry supstrate my Rose hair hates moister and its worse than before lol

 

[Moltar]

If it still needs to dry a significant amount try mixing it all up to blend the dry and moist parts and bake it some more. Btw, although roesea's like it dry it won't hurt them to have a SMALL amount of moisture in the substrate. When i'm setting up even the dryest t's like rosea's & brachy's i still moisten the subby a tiny litle bit. This is mostly for the benefit of dust control and more for me than the t. The surface will dry within 2-3 days and if you have a dry spot like the top of a log or something for the t to hang out (not touching the sub) it probably won't climb the walls too much.

 

[pearson340]

theres a log she use to sit on but she likes it on the side but its started drying a bit the fussy bitch but i still love my T

 

[Moltar]

Hey it's not like she's gonna die if you have her in a deli cup or tupperware or whatever for several days while you sort out her situation. Make sure she has ventilaton and a water dish and she'll be just fine waiting for her new condo to be ready.

 

[pearson340]

i just got a plant pot a small one because she never went to cover allways on the side of the tank but shes all curled up in the pot i think she likes it i will get a pic for you tomorrow so you can tell me if its fine or not

 

[jen650s]

The advice you've gotten so far about drying it is great, however if it is more than about 1" deep it will take a long time to dry. Spread it on a cookie sheet, and bake as instructed 350 for about 20 minutes to half hour and allow to cool. If it is still too wet repeat, but don't increase the heat or bake for much longer or it will catch fire.

Hope this helps.

 

[pearson340]

thanks but its all fine now i just put a layer of 1" of peet on the floor and its now dry i will keep adding 1" untill its all dry