Sterilizing cutting tools

[NDW76]

Since I found out that the small shoot growing from one of my orchids was a Kieke I have spotted a lot of them on one of my bigger orchids.

I am planning to cut one of these off and trying to grow a new orchid, but I want to do it properly. I know I have to sterilize any cutting tools before I use them. I have heard of some people holding a cutting tool over a flame to sterilize a cutting tool. But as a man who likes to collect sharp shiny things I am loath to put a blade over a flame and ruin the temper.

I was wondering if wiping a blade with a solution of 70% ethyl alcohol would be enough to sterilize a cutting tool.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Royal]

Wiping with alcohol is ok, but soaking for 15 minutes would be better. Disposable single-use razors work well too, but I just flame my cheap pruners.

[Gin]

I get my pruners at the anything for a dollar store and use a propane torch .
About the keiki , I twist them off rather then cut .. for cutting old bloom stems the 2 for a dollar kild scissors work well .. Funny some have lasted a long time considering the price ..

[butterfly79]

70% alcohol is good to use as well as 99%.

I actually dip my blade in the alcohol after every cut I make to ensure no spread of illness.

[Cym Ladye]

Nathan,

Check the current thread in this same group on "Sanitation at Watering Time" for an ongoing discussion on sanitation.

Flame tools, soak in 5% clorox solution or heat in a 325F oven for an hour or so. ALCOHOL WILL NOT KILL VIRUS.

CL

[Royal]

A dip in alcohol won't kill a virus, but a 15 minute soak in isopropyl alcohol is adequate to fully sterilize hard surfaces.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Nathan,

Check the current thread in this same group on "Sanitation at Watering Time" for an ongoing discussion on sanitation.

Flame tools, soak in 5% clorox solution or heat in a 325F oven for an hour or so. ALCOHOL WILL NOT KILL VIRUS.

CL

You can take this comment to the bank!
Making up a 5-10% bleach solution is easy peasy compared to throwing away your orchids that get virused.
I know alcohol comes in a bottle and won't ruin your colored shirt if splashed but please, use bleach

[Baz in Oz]

I am not familiar with 'Clorox' bleach but I assume it contains chlorine. I am told chlorine doesn't kill viruses that attack humans but will it kill plant viruses?

Baz

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by Baz in Oz

I am not familiar with 'Clorox' bleach but I assume it contains chlorine. I am told chlorine doesn't kill viruses that attack humans but will it kill plant viruses?

Baz

Clorox is just a brand name of bleach...kinda like Bayer is a brand name for aspirin

[PaphMadMan]

If your only concern is a clean tool to cut off one keiki, just chose anything sharp enough that has never been used to cut live plant material before and there will be no chance of transmitting a virus, which is usually the biggest concern.