Do you need to sterilize bamboo stakes?

[Reeses]

I tend to take the stakes out once my plants are done blooming and I cut back the spikes. Should they be sterilized before I use them in a different pot? If so, would a bleach or Physan 20 solution be better? I'm not sure if the bamboo would absorb either to release it later on.

[NYCorchidman]

I don't think you can efficiently sterilize bamboo stakes. Buy new ones to be safe.

The only stakes you can sterilize are the metal ones.

[Cym Ladye]

Plant serum not only gets on the end of the stake which goes in the pot and punctures the roots, but can get the serum on it from the flowers or rubbing on the flower stem. I picture plant stakes as needles. Would you reuse a needle possibly used by an HIV positive person?

[Reeses]

Gotcha, those are good points. Thanks a bunch! I'm fairly new to the orchid scene

[kindrag23]

Skewers are pretty cheap I use bbq cabob wooden skewers. 99 cents for like 25 I think. Plus their long enough that if you don't need them to be that long you can trim them to fit your needs!

[NYCorchidman]

That's what I use as well, although I can no longer find the long ones.

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

That's what I use as well, although I can no longer find the long ones.

Have you tried a dry goods store in Chinatown? Long bamboo skewers are usually in the kitchen aisle.

[RosieC]

I used to reuse them without thought, but recently threw them all away following the advise of people here. Now I never reuse them.

[La Casa de las Orquideas]

You can also use plastic ones, sometimes it helps the with the look! You can find them in any arts and crafts store and they come in different lengths. These will not rot . Also, these can be sterilized and reused. We use them since we have almost all our orchids in S/H.
Hope this helps!!

[Cym Ladye]

Just to clarify names: There are stakes and there are skewers. Bamboo garden stakes range in size from 2' to 6'+ and vary in diameter from 1/8" to 3/4". Bamboo skewers are generally found in 10" and 12" lengths and are very small, generally under 1/8" in diameter. Then there are assorted lengths of plastic stakes, ether from hobby stores or garden centers. Bamboo is not recommended to be reused as it cannot effectively be sterilized. Plastic can be sterilized and although the stakes are more expensive can be reused.