hi i do not think aphids lay eggs in the coco i am pretty sure they lay on the underside of leaves,but if you want to reuse coco its so easy and imo a waste not too! i use mine for average of 5 grows and as its become more expensive and harder to buy due to shortages caused by our halfarsed brexit fiasco reuse has become essential.
best way i have found is just break up the old rootball and pull out as much of the bigger roots and and bin them,then get yourself a black bin bag fill it with the coco and add a dozen or so earthworms tie up the sack and leave it somewhere cool and dark for a month,
when you openthe bag you will have nice clean ready to reuse coco and dont worry about the worms when using it they seem to survive even right through a 16 week cycle.
i thought chemical nutrients would kill them due to the salts but seems not.
also if you suspect pests have layed in the coco them stick it in a plastic tub in the microwave for a couple of minutes,or pour a kettle of boiling water through it.better than insecticides.
i have found the best reason for reuse is after 2-3 runs the coco remains more stable ph and seems to give less defs eventually the coco particles start to break up and become dusty when dry,then it goes into my veg garden.
nice looking plant btw enjoy!
edit to say there are also enzyme products sold designed for breaking down roots in used coco,cant remember the name though,peace
8 Likes