How I use powdered cinnamon to seal and cauterize the cut end of an orchid rizome.

[Joyorchid]

You're amazing, James! Byeeeeee!

[james mickelso]

It is not a general purpose disinfectant. It is for cauterizing and sterilizing an open wound.

[lotis146]

So if you say knick the heck out of a pbulb (I've got some decent nails), should it be dabbed with cinnamon or left alone? (I've left it alone, but wondered...) In other words is this for all wounds?

[james mickelso]

I always dab any open wound with powdered cinnamon. It makes a kind of scab on the wound and cauterizes IT. Wet concoctions like alcohol or a wet fungicide will get washed off the wound in no time. An open wound is an invitation to fungus and bacteria to enter and feast.

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by lotis146

So if you say knick the heck out of a pbulb (I've got some decent nails), should it be dabbed with cinnamon or left alone? (I've left it alone, but wondered...) In other words is this for all wounds?

I have long nails to and sometimes cut my plants on accident. I usually only use cinnamon if it is from say for example my tenaborosum had a infected spot I cleaned it out and applied cinnamon to cauterize the newly exposed tissue.

[james mickelso]

Correctamundo. It is for cauterizing any open wound. You can cut out any fungal/bacterial spot and use cinnamon to help sear the tissue to keep it from being re-infected.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

It is not a general purpose disinfectant. It is for cauterizing and sterilizing an open wound.

Good idea to explain how to use the cinnamon but if you're using it for anything related to bacterial/fungal and disinfection then it's best not to "double dip" the cinnamon powder and/or re-use the used Q-tip.

Like Rosie, I pour a little out of the container for each plant and always use a fresh swap w/each plant.

Other than that though...good description of the process.

[Ray]

Cinnamon powder is both a desiccant and fungicide/bactericide. The extracts - whether in water of alcohol - retains the chemical attributes (cinnamaldehyde), but loses the desiccant properties.

[james mickelso]

I've had this bottle of cinnamon for years. Used it on bonsai for years and now on my orchids. The Q-Tip is about two tears old. Hasn't transferred any bad guys. It's constantly disinfected.

[lotis146]

So what's your take then on the dish soap/water/liquid cinnamon sprayed/poured on plants for bug, fungus, & bacteria? Will the roots not suffer from this treatment?