Post by Zorst on Aug 2, 2011 20:59:21 GMT
Hi All,
I have a question regarding substarte, I'm currently using peat or turf as its called here from my own land. I'm lucky in the respects I have quite a few high acres of mountain pasture which is basically turf / peat bog. Right at the top of the mountain the horses have exposed some of this and its loose dry peat, which is what I have been using. Because its so exposed there isn't much invertebrate or other life in these areas. So basically its pretty clean.
My question is as I luckily have an unlimited supply of peat how would be the best way to prepare it so that its clean for our slimy friends as I dont want to bring any pests into them.
Currently I have bought some down the mountain and I'm storing it in a large deep freeze so when I need some I just defrost what I need. ( I read somewhere that freezing it helps to kill off any nasties.) Its also a heck of a climb to collect it as I need it
hence the other idea about freezing it.
When I defrost this peat I defrost it with boiling water and then drain it out and leave it to cool down so that it is clean and slightly moist for the snails. In the winter I 'll be able to put it in the Arga but for now its the best way I can think of making sure this is clean for them. They certainly seem happy with it and so far nothing seems to have been living in the peat from what I can see.
There are no pesticides on this peat as its from protected land which has never had any kind of treatment on it, and has only ever been used for grazing or cutting turf. So basically its clean, and where I collect it from its exposed to the elements and the Atlantic winds. I'm not collecting it from the actual bog as there are wild snails etc living down in those areas.
Any thoughts on how best to prepare this peat for my snails so that I know it's clean would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Zorst
I have a question regarding substarte, I'm currently using peat or turf as its called here from my own land. I'm lucky in the respects I have quite a few high acres of mountain pasture which is basically turf / peat bog. Right at the top of the mountain the horses have exposed some of this and its loose dry peat, which is what I have been using. Because its so exposed there isn't much invertebrate or other life in these areas. So basically its pretty clean.
My question is as I luckily have an unlimited supply of peat how would be the best way to prepare it so that its clean for our slimy friends as I dont want to bring any pests into them.
Currently I have bought some down the mountain and I'm storing it in a large deep freeze so when I need some I just defrost what I need. ( I read somewhere that freezing it helps to kill off any nasties.) Its also a heck of a climb to collect it as I need it
hence the other idea about freezing it.When I defrost this peat I defrost it with boiling water and then drain it out and leave it to cool down so that it is clean and slightly moist for the snails. In the winter I 'll be able to put it in the Arga but for now its the best way I can think of making sure this is clean for them. They certainly seem happy with it and so far nothing seems to have been living in the peat from what I can see.
There are no pesticides on this peat as its from protected land which has never had any kind of treatment on it, and has only ever been used for grazing or cutting turf. So basically its clean, and where I collect it from its exposed to the elements and the Atlantic winds. I'm not collecting it from the actual bog as there are wild snails etc living down in those areas.
Any thoughts on how best to prepare this peat for my snails so that I know it's clean would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Zorst
