Sterilize compost?

[SDCPs]

So I obtained a copy of E and A's book in a trade (very good, every millipede enthusiast should have one) and went shopping for compost or forest humus. The other book I have says forest humus should be the single greatest ingredient in the substrate, it's not just E and A but he gives much more detail and a better substrate plan. I found one brand at home Depot that claimed it was safe for "plants, pets, and people too"--well, that's not what sold me on it but all the others contained worm castings or manure. This was composed of "25" vegetables, coffee, and forest humus...it's also organic! Sounds great for millipedes.

Anyway, E and A says he sterilizes all materials he collects from out-of-doors. I'm still a little cautious of sterilization, but will definitely sterilize wood and probably sterilize leaves. My question is, what about the compost? Might it contain nematodes, earthworms, or mites, etc. or does it go through a "sterilization" process with the manufacturer. I mean I could always make sure but it would sure be nice just to pour it in without having to worry about it.

 

[zonbonzovi]

You mean like something akin to pasteurization? Unless it specifically mentions it on the bag/website, etc. I doubt it. I think compost is heat treated for mushroom cultivation but I'm not 100% on that. You could set it up and isolate it from your animals for awhile and see if anything shows up?

 

[SDCPs]

I was thinking there might be a law against not sterilizing or pasteurizing the bales because of concern about transporting non-native species across state lines. I, in my little experience with these sort of things, haven't noticed insects, worms, or any living creatures in potting soil I've purchased. I mean, of course bacteria are in there ???

 

[zonbonzovi]

A lot of things made their way here because of plant nursery products and the soil in which they arrived. With compost, you're all but guaranteed that something will be in the mix. What it is will vary greatly.

 

[SDCPs]

I think compost is heat treated for mushroom cultivation but I'm not 100% on that.

I did some looking around and for growing mushrooms that is key. Here's an explanation of the process.

I tried to call the distributor but had to e-mail them. I'll let you know what they say.

 

[SDCPs]

It would seem logical to me to expect that most commercially available composts/soils undergo a similar process. Here is what Ecoscraps, the company behind the compost I purchased at The Home Depot had to say:

...During the composting process the compost is heated up to at least 160 degrees F for 3 days, and over 140 degrees F for 10 days. Yes, there are fluctuations in temperature. We have found that this exceeds all standards in eliminating harmful bacteria and organisms.

---------- Post added 09-06-2012 at 09:57 AM ----------

One more thing. From what I've read, as long as the entire material reaches 180 degrees for at least 30 minutes then most, if not all, of the large harmful organisms that can hurt plants, millipedes, you name it, will be killed whereas beneficial microorganisms will survive and the substrate will be rendered both stable and safe to use. Thanks, Zonbonzovi, for mentioning pasteurization...sterilization is NOT the way to go.

 

[zonbonzovi]

Interesting product...you'll have to let us know how the millipedes take to it.

 

[SDCPs]

I will my friend. I will have some very interesting information to share in the future.

 

[cacoseraph]

caffeine is typically a toxin to most organisms

this is the sort of substrate tabula rasa argument. a microoganismically balanced substrate kept in the right range of conditions will basically be stable and able to handle bits of uneaten food and waste and what not without much noticeable effect. a micribiologically sterile substrate can be overcome by whatever organism first establishes a beachhead and can tolerate all conditions present. that being said, it is massively difficult to get a well balanced substrate that works in the conditions you will be providing

i am half donkey working on developing a complex of "miniorganism" species that can handle, er, most of the ups and downs of hobby conditions and won't hurt reproduction in the target species it is used for

for the record, until i can get my sweet mix i am of the sterilize it all school of thought for compost, but not for coir

 

[SDCPs]

caffeine is typically a toxin to most organisms

this is the sort of substrate tabula rasa argument. a microoganismically balanced substrate kept in the right range of conditions will basically be stable and able to handle bits of uneaten food and waste and what not without much noticeable effect. a micribiologically sterile substrate can be overcome by whatever organism first establishes a beachhead and can tolerate all conditions present. that being said, it is massively difficult to get a well balanced substrate that works in the conditions you will be providing

i am half donkey working on developing a complex of "miniorganism" species that can handle, er, most of the ups and downs of hobby conditions and won't hurt reproduction in the target species it is used for

for the record, until i can get my sweet mix i am of the sterilize it all school of thought for compost, but not for coir

Caffeine...yeah...I need to check that out. Wikipedia has an article but does not deal much with the class of insects I am studying. I highly doubt there is much caffeine in the compost (they might have used decaffeinated coffee) but I doubt there is much coffee in there at all. I guess that's the next question I'll ask!

As to concern about what animals colonize substrate, I've had breeding success with water-soaked substrate. I collect dry leaves and mostly dry wood since I have an arid climate here. Aside from large critters and microorganisms, a few mite species, springtails, and a certain fast-moving, white, thrips-shaped soil dwelling creature colonize. They don't seem to do any harm. I have always witnessed the massive colonization effect you described when sterilizing substrate and have grown wary of that method. At least removing things like nematodes, large insects, mites, and worms with pasteurization is a plus. Hopefully the microbes will be tolerable to the pedes!

I do not know much. But thank you for bringing up some valid concerns

 

[Risky]

this is the sort of substrate tabula rasa argument.

+1 for word choice. I thought I was the only that used that phrase.