Pot cleaning in dishwasher

[Roberta]

Note... this is a really old thread... it is better to start a new one, it'll get noticed more.

There is lots of debate in the orchid world about what is, and isn't, adequate to remove material that might harbor viruses in particular. Orchids are susceptible to them, they're incurable so orchid lovers are rightly a bit paranoid... That being said, I figure that if things from the dishwasher are clean enough for me, probably clean enough for my orchids - plastic pots, that don't have any apparent material sticking to them. Clay pots are another story - they're porous. To be sure of sterilizing them, putting in the oven for awhile is far more certain. Or save the new pots for the particularly precious ones. An overnight soak in a 10% bleach solution can also do the job.

[estación seca]

Using a stovetop pressure cooker to heat objects on the high setting for 30 minutes will sterilize them. This method is approved by the US agricultural department for canning food. None of the automatic electric cookers is approved for canning. This won't work with some plastic pots; they would melt,

I use my pressure cooker to sterilize hummingbird solution and feeders. I have smallish glass feeder reservoirs that fit into my 6-quart/liter pressure cooker. The syrup is good for at least a week in the feeder.

[Mr.Fakename]

I know some people who reuse pots and sterilise them in the microwave.
This doesn't work with all plastic, if I'm not mistaken only polypropylene will be microwave safe (that n°5 logo written on it).