Sterilizing cutting tools.

[DavidCampen]

Here is a photo of my setup for sterilizing my shears. Looking from right to left, first I flame the shears with the butane torch, then I dunk the still hot shears in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate in water. After some time I then swish the shears in 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol that contains .05% Physan 20 (actually I am using SA-20 which is an equivalent to Physan 20).

The flame destroys virus and all other microorganisms and also burns off any sap or other plant material. I don't by any means heat the entire shears red hot so after the flame has burnt of any sap etc. I then place the shears into the permanganate dip.

The permanganate dip cools the flamed shears and also continues to destroy any virus etc. that flamming missed. I leave the shears in the permanganate dip until I need the dip for another pair of shears or untill I have finished working.

When I take the shears out of the permanganate dip I then swish it in the 70% isopropyl alcohol to destroy any permanganate left on the shears since permanganate causes stains. I don't wipe off the shears but just close them and put them back into the clean tool pile. The 0.05% Physan is just for the heck of it, I was hoping that it might help stop rusting of the shears and since it stays on the shears maybe even sterilize a woung when I use the shears to cut a plant.

The 70% isopropyl alcohol will burn so it is possible that you could knock over the bottle and set it on fire with the flaming torch. I don't worry about it, I have a garden hose nearby but other people might want to.

[james mickelso]

I use a plumbers torch with a quart size bottle (Home Depot). It has been used for over a year (used all the time) and still has lots of propane to go. A quick pass down the blades and they are good to go. I file the edges frequently and that keeps the cutting surfaces clean. You don't have to get them red hot. A quick pass at 670*f is good enough for all but the occassional alien. Bleach is a good bet too. I also use the single edge razor blades on all but the toughtest orchids. A box of 500 is around $5.

[Leafmite]

I boil whatever cannot be baked. This will also denature virus proteins. I boil for 30 minutes, then let it in until the water cools. I think 10 minutes, and leaving it in the water, is what the CDC recommends (or it might be thirty--it has been a while).

[Wynn Dee13]

What temp do you bake clay pots at to sterilize them? I use mostly clay pots and I'm sick of buying new ones all the time. I also have a hard time finding certain sizes I need and have to buy them online. It would be nice to reuse them and keep my plants safe from viruses.

[james mickelso]

10% solution of bleach and water, dip pots for 10 mins and they are disinfected. Rinse well. Tools the same way. With tools and pots though you have to scrub off any large deposits of dirt that can harbor bugs that the solution may not be able to penetrate. But this will acceptably disinfect anything you put in it. That's why your water is disinfected with bleach. It disables viruses and bacteria so they can not reproduce.

[Wynn Dee13]

So the bleach wouldn't be soaked up by the clay pots? I worry I can't rinse all the bleach out on clay pots since they are porous. I don't want the bleach to leach out later and burn the roots. I use bleach on glass and plastic and my shears and sometimes I rinse and rinse and still can smell the bleach.

[james mickelso]

10% solution should be ok. That is not very much. 1 tablespoon per quart I think. If it can work it's way into the porous clay then it can work it's way out. It is very soluable in water and dissipates quickly. It won't hurt your plants roots because it will be flushed out when you rinse. Once your nose has had a whiff o bleach, you can smell it even after it is gone.

[Leafmite]

I bake for 1 hour at 450'F. Leave in the oven until the oven is cool.

[Wynn Dee13]

Thanks James!

Leafmite- Do you preheat the oven before putting them in or do you put them in the oven right away? Thanks!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

Thanks James!

Leafmite- Do you preheat the oven before putting them in or do you put them in the oven right away? Thanks!

Bleach soaking is recommended for plastic pots but not for clay pots. Clay pots are best baked.
Preheat only takes about ten to fiften minutes. I don't think it makes much difference, but if you question, then preheat and bake. Happy baking!!!