CaliWildViolet420
Passionate Cultivator of
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2009
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I posted this in an answer, however this is written better for newbies.
Inexpensive Method - Primarily for those who have never experienced this type of growing medium, and have a large amount of pebbles to clean.
(Please bear in mind, that I believe in all cases, organic solutions should be used for all cleaning for your own health and the environment. It is up to you, the individual, to choose what works best for you.)
I no longer use the pebbles, however when I first moved here, three years ago and up until about 7 months ago, we did use them.
D developed his method of cleaning and possibly primitive, it does work.
Materials:
( I used 6 of each type of bucket, due to the volume of what I needed to clean.)
Two Large Paint type Buckets
Bleach or Hydrogen Peroxide
dustpan or shop vac
Water
Gloves
Creating the Drain Bucket
1. Drill holes into the bottom of one of the buckets, just slightly smaller than the majority of the clay pebbles.
2. Keep one bucket on hand with no holes
Procedure: (my method)
(I have four trays that had pebbles in them and had to be cleaned between each new cycle, or each new set of plants, to prevent any problems.)
1. Once all plants have been removed, I go over the tray and pick out as much of the debris as possible.
2. I have tried several methods for getting the pebbles out of the tray. I used the shop vac once..more hassle than it was worth, but is do-able.
Using a dustpan, pitcher or scoop, fill the bucket with holes in it, about 1/2 to 3/4 full, depending on your own level of strength.
3.Put the bucket with holes in it, and pebbles into the second bucket and fill with water, close to the top.
4. Add your choice of cleaning solution. He used bleach, one or two drops and I used Hydrogen Peroxide, cause bleach makes me ill.
(Please be intelligent and never mix any kind of solution, unless you know the properties and it is safe. I would also suggest that you know what works, before having someone at a hydro store talk you into some wonder cleaning product, because we have tried many and many do not work and the expense was wasted.)
5. Let the pebbles soak for a bit in the desired cleaning solution. Debris will rise to the top, if you are lucky.
6. Put gloves on, if you have sensitive skin like me and keep running your hands thru the pebbles bringing up all dead matter and pile it up outside the bucket to discard.
7. Once you have removed as much as you can find, in my case, almost everything visible to the naked eye..empty the bottom bucket in a safe place to dispose of left over nutrients. (Do not pour nutrients into a septic or sewer drain, unless they are completely organic.)
8. Fill the bucket again with clear water to keep flushing out any color, until the water runs as clear as you can get it.
9. Put clean pebbles back into a completely cleaned and scrubbed tray and check for any left over matter, such as gro cube or root debris.
10. Run clean water over the pebbles in the tray one more time, to make sure your pebbles and tray have been flushed clean of old nutrients.
Now, in addition to cleaning of the pebbles, I cannot stress enough the importance of always starting a new set of plants with a clean tray.
We have a high hard particle count in our well water and while we use RO for all the plants, lugging it by bucket to some areas, we still have high mineral salts buildup on the trays and have to use wire brushes and scouring pads, the green ones, to meticulously scrub the trays. I found the brushes that work best at the hardware store and they are called:
Allway - stainless steel wire brush- narrow and ergonomic
WorkForce also makes this kind of brush.
The design of the handle makes it easier to get into the grooves of the grow trays.
(These brushes are not very expensive and can be found at most hardware stores, in various sizes.)
Bear in mind, that this household has two OCD adults in it, and we do everything pro active to prevent mold or mildew issues, creating a sterile environment in the hopes that pests and other annoying issues, will not thrive in our trays.
One other method, I personally use and have D in the habit of doing now. I dry scrub trays first and use the shop vac to suck up excess dust.
(If you are sensitive to breathing in partical matter or have any issues with breathing at all, wear a mask. )
I am not suggesting anyone be anal about the process, however growing medicinal product is to assist you in your own health and in cleaning your materials, you should be protecting yourself as much as you protect your plant/s environment.
If anyone has other suggestions for cleaning products or brushes or method, please add that to this post.
Inexpensive Method - Primarily for those who have never experienced this type of growing medium, and have a large amount of pebbles to clean.
(Please bear in mind, that I believe in all cases, organic solutions should be used for all cleaning for your own health and the environment. It is up to you, the individual, to choose what works best for you.)
I no longer use the pebbles, however when I first moved here, three years ago and up until about 7 months ago, we did use them.
D developed his method of cleaning and possibly primitive, it does work.
Materials:
( I used 6 of each type of bucket, due to the volume of what I needed to clean.)
Two Large Paint type Buckets
Bleach or Hydrogen Peroxide
dustpan or shop vac
Water
Gloves
Creating the Drain Bucket
1. Drill holes into the bottom of one of the buckets, just slightly smaller than the majority of the clay pebbles.
2. Keep one bucket on hand with no holes
Procedure: (my method)
(I have four trays that had pebbles in them and had to be cleaned between each new cycle, or each new set of plants, to prevent any problems.)
1. Once all plants have been removed, I go over the tray and pick out as much of the debris as possible.
2. I have tried several methods for getting the pebbles out of the tray. I used the shop vac once..more hassle than it was worth, but is do-able.
Using a dustpan, pitcher or scoop, fill the bucket with holes in it, about 1/2 to 3/4 full, depending on your own level of strength.
3.Put the bucket with holes in it, and pebbles into the second bucket and fill with water, close to the top.
4. Add your choice of cleaning solution. He used bleach, one or two drops and I used Hydrogen Peroxide, cause bleach makes me ill.
(Please be intelligent and never mix any kind of solution, unless you know the properties and it is safe. I would also suggest that you know what works, before having someone at a hydro store talk you into some wonder cleaning product, because we have tried many and many do not work and the expense was wasted.)
5. Let the pebbles soak for a bit in the desired cleaning solution. Debris will rise to the top, if you are lucky.
6. Put gloves on, if you have sensitive skin like me and keep running your hands thru the pebbles bringing up all dead matter and pile it up outside the bucket to discard.
7. Once you have removed as much as you can find, in my case, almost everything visible to the naked eye..empty the bottom bucket in a safe place to dispose of left over nutrients. (Do not pour nutrients into a septic or sewer drain, unless they are completely organic.)
8. Fill the bucket again with clear water to keep flushing out any color, until the water runs as clear as you can get it.
9. Put clean pebbles back into a completely cleaned and scrubbed tray and check for any left over matter, such as gro cube or root debris.
10. Run clean water over the pebbles in the tray one more time, to make sure your pebbles and tray have been flushed clean of old nutrients.
Now, in addition to cleaning of the pebbles, I cannot stress enough the importance of always starting a new set of plants with a clean tray.
We have a high hard particle count in our well water and while we use RO for all the plants, lugging it by bucket to some areas, we still have high mineral salts buildup on the trays and have to use wire brushes and scouring pads, the green ones, to meticulously scrub the trays. I found the brushes that work best at the hardware store and they are called:
Allway - stainless steel wire brush- narrow and ergonomic
WorkForce also makes this kind of brush.
The design of the handle makes it easier to get into the grooves of the grow trays.
(These brushes are not very expensive and can be found at most hardware stores, in various sizes.)
Bear in mind, that this household has two OCD adults in it, and we do everything pro active to prevent mold or mildew issues, creating a sterile environment in the hopes that pests and other annoying issues, will not thrive in our trays.
One other method, I personally use and have D in the habit of doing now. I dry scrub trays first and use the shop vac to suck up excess dust.
(If you are sensitive to breathing in partical matter or have any issues with breathing at all, wear a mask. )
I am not suggesting anyone be anal about the process, however growing medicinal product is to assist you in your own health and in cleaning your materials, you should be protecting yourself as much as you protect your plant/s environment.
If anyone has other suggestions for cleaning products or brushes or method, please add that to this post.
