Shelf life of Chemicals - Orchid Board

jowben1 · #1 10-10-2009, 10:18 PM

Can anyone tell me if mixes of Physan 20, KLN, Dyna Gro fertilizer, and worm tea can be stored in gallon jugs, or do they deteriorate ? The would be in a greenhouse like environment, 80 to 95 degrees, 75% to 85% relative humidity.Thanks...

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 10-11-2009, 12:26 AM

Mixes?...

Why would you mix these chemicals together?

I may be ignorant to what you may be asking, but if you seriously mean to mix these chemicals, I urge you not to. Mixing chemicals can be very dangerous.

I can tell you right now the KLN has a shelf life. Many people here have asked this question.

Do a search in the OB's search engine. I'm sure you'll find the answer you're looking for.

Doc G · #3 10-11-2009, 02:42 AM

If by mixes you mean mixed with water and then stored in gallon jugs, yes there is a shelf life. Even unmixed chemicals have a shelf life. And some settling can occur, so you would need to remix by some method. But if you do intend to mix the chemicals, then I agree with King,Don't.

Another thing to consider, do you really want gallons of chemicals waiting to spill?

susiep · #4 10-11-2009, 11:48 AM

Jowben, I have often wondered about that myself. I hate to fertilize and spray for pests, etc. Mixing the chemicals is part of the chore. I often wondered "if I mix extra today, how long will it stay potent? A week, a month?" One thing for certain, it starts to go downhill the minute you reconstitute it. So as a rule of thumb this is what I do. I sometimes mix an extra gallon if I am sure to use it in the next week. But I try not to keep it in the shadehouse. The temps are just too high. Besides algae and mold can start growing in no time and that can clog up your sprayer nozzle (what a pain!) I base a lot of my decision on the fact that I am a pharmacist. And the reason we store many drugs in powder or concentrated form is for stability. After dilution, potency diminishes and bacteria can begin to grow in a lot of things. Refrigeration slows the process, but most people don't have an extra frig to keep chemicals in! Hope this helps!

Des · #5 10-11-2009, 01:13 PM

I dont store fertilizer, insecticide and fungicide concentrate for longer than 5 years, Mixed with water chemicals get dumped after 3 days

jowben1 · #6 10-11-2009, 02:40 PM

Thank you. To clear it up, I didn't mean to mix the stuff together, but if I mixed a Physon 20 solution, would it keep for a week or two. Most of the directions give you a gallon formula, and if it isn't all used, should I keep it or dispose of it?Thanks, again.

Ray · #7 10-11-2009, 08:35 PM

Physan and fertilizers, once diluted to application concentration, are quite stable.

K-L-N degrades with exposure to warmth and light, so should pretty much be mixed for each application, with the concentrate stored cool and dark.

I have no idea about worm tea.

jowben1 · #8 10-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Thanks Ray, That was precisely the answer I was looking for. I recieved my PA yesterday, and have a couple of "rooting" Phals. ready to try SH. Thanks, John

Ray · #9 10-12-2009, 01:59 PM

Very often you'll see warnings to not store pesticide mixes, but that's for safety reasons more than stability (although some organic chemicals are not particularly stable either). Folks often mix stuff up in unlabeled containers, and that can lead to real issues.