Microwave or oven might be an option Same concept of sterilizing the soil by covering and heating up But I really don't know just an idea
Sal

I re-use my rooting mix (1 part perlite to 1 part UPM potting mix) without any sterilization. It is not needed if you clean your cuttings properly (with Dawn AB & diluted Clorox) and control your humidity during the rooting process. Proper cleaning not only kills micro-organisms and mold......it also removes a large percentage of their food source. Remove their food sources, control the humidity while rooting and you will not have a problem with mold.

Dan

Any mix from cuttings that did not make it, is reuse in
the potting-up-mix for the ones that rooted.
I always use fresh potting-soil/perlite mix for rooting new
cuttings and pot-them-up without disturbing the roots.

Use fresh for rooting, and use the "used" stuff for making potting mix for use when potting up to larger sizes.

Thank you all for your replies to my question. I am new at this and I tried some green cutting. As Dan stated, I did not clear the cuttings properly. They all molded, I pitched them and want to use the mix again. I know it has mold in it from the cuttings. This is the reason for the question. Gorgi may be right just use new and use this in the potting mix. I appreciate your help. Thanks again,
J.A.

When I move my rooted cuttings from cups to a larger gallon container, some of my perlite/UPM mixture usually falls out of the cup and into a catch pan I have below it. Since UPM is a LOT more expensive than regular potting mix, I re-use whatever rooting mix falls into my catch pan.......but that's just frugal ole me trying to save a few coins. As stated above, I have had no problems whatsoever in re-using this rooting mix. My success rate in producing viable fig trees is very high; so, I know that I am doing something right. The safest route is to only use new material.

Jstall....you might be happier with your results if you used a rooting mix of 1 part perlite and 1 part potting soil (UPM if you can find it). The roots formed using straight perlite or straight vermiculite are not the same as those produced using this mix. Clean your cuttings properly as outlined in other posts. Do not apply any heat to them while in the baggies and/or in the rooting cups...and you should not have any more problems with mold.

Dan

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly is upm? Thanks

ejp3, UPM is Fertilome's Ultimate Potting Mix, if I am not mistaken. I just found a store in Longview, TX that carries this product.
Thank you Dan, I will switch to that mix. I am going to Longview tomorrow to get the UPM.

jstall, All kinds of potting media can be sterilized by getting a large, high-sided roasting pan and lining it with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Put in moistened media, cover with foil and seal by crimping the edges of the foil together. This can be heavy so be careful to supply support. I bake it at 250 degrees for a couple of hours. This is probably overkill - supposedly it should reach 170 degrees to kill everything needing killing.
You will still have organic residue from algae and such. It isn't a problem with a growing mix, but might be with rooting media.

Ed,

I have been using UPM ever since Jose (loslunasfarms) posted some pictures of his rooted cuttings. His pictures showed some amazing root development. It is a great airy rooting mix that produces a very strong root system which leads to fewer failures.

Dan

Does anyone know where to find UPM in the Northeast? I've called every nursery and garden supply center within 50 miles no one has ever heard of it. I tried finding a local distributor on-line and had no success.

Thanks.

C.J.

Find a location that sells any Fertilome product....they usually can order UPM for you. I could not find the stuff anywhere in the New Orleans/Baton Rouge area.....no one had ever heard of it. A local nursery gets it for me within a week of my placing an order with them.

Dan

To the original question - I missed this earlier.

I have been using this method for sterilizing my seed starter mix for my veggies for the longest time.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sterilizing soil (search the page for the word: OVEN)

Question: Do i sterilize stems of impatients prior to placing them in vermiculite to root?

It isn't absolutely necessary, but I got a better percentage of takes when I started sterilizing my cuttings. I use Green-Shield in solution, it's an ammonium chloride product. It is not caustic like chlorine bleach when it is mixed to specifications. Another more readily available sterilizer is peroxide - and it too is less caustic than chlorine bleach.