how do you sterilize your pots

[SlipperGirl]

Hi,
I just wanted to know when you reuse your orchid pots do you sterilize your pots or just wash them. If you do sterilize how?

[quiltergal]

I soak mine in a bleach solution before using again.

[cbuchman]

I use the bleach soak too after a thorough scrubbing. I'd love to run them thru the dishwasher 9after the scrubbing), but my husband would definitely object!

[SlipperGirl]

I was thinking of spraying the pots with bleach but soaking makes more sense.

I got a orchid that had some mealy bugs should I just get rid of that pot?

[stumac]

Originally Posted by cbuchman

I use the bleach soak too after a thorough scrubbing. I'd love to run them thru the dishwasher 9after the scrubbing), but my husband would definitely object!

The other way round in my home my wife would complain

[Leafmite]

In the morning, I drop the pots in a bleach solution, then remove them in the afternoon. No worry about bugs...the bleach would kill them if they didn't drown.

[Brooke]

Mealies will not live in a bleach solution strong enough to sterilize the pot.

For plastic pots let them soak totally submerged for minimum of 20 minutes. For clay pots I soak for a couple of hours to make sure the solution penetrates the porous surface. Rinse thoroughly and then let it sit for several days to make sure the solution is out of the porous pot.

Brooke

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by brooke

Mealies will not live in a bleach solution strong enough to sterilize the pot

I did not think they would but thought I would ask

[gravotrope]

scrub them and bake them in a preheated 350 degree oven 20-30 min

[Leafmite]

Unless they are plastic....