HOW TO GROW CACTUS SEEDS SUCCESSFULLY USING STERILIZATION

Sterilization of soil medium is an integral part of growing seeds. Naturally, soils contains Bacterias, Viruses, Fungi, Nematodes and other pests that could eventually kill your plants which can absolutely become a nuisance. 



Sterilizing your soil greatly prevents any of these problems to occur and saves you a lot of money.

There are many ways to sterilize your soil, here are some:

1. Microwave - 1 minute under the minimal heat

2. Oven - 5-20 minutes; do not go beyond the 100degrees Celcius

3. Pressure cooker - 15-30mins; do not go dont under 15PSI

4. Pasteurization - boil water and pour; leave it 3-4 hours to cool before using

5. Sun bathing/Soil Solarization -  put the soil medium under the full sun for 2-3 days; best to cover with plastic to avoid contamination

One controversial way of sterilization is through chemical means.
This is where you soak your medium in fungicides and/or insecticides ovenight before using.

With sterilization, you can be at ease that your plants will survive the harsh environment there are in. To have a full explanaition on this topic with demo, please watch HOW TO GROW CACTUS SEEDS: EPISODE 2 - STERILIZATION