Disinfect Tools With Skim Milk?
 

Hi All, I'm still studying the virus problem in orchids and came across the article. It's a little hard to understand in places but very interesting. (well it was to me :blushing:)

Care to comment?

PlantDisease78n06_633.pdf

I was going to say no this is wrong and that you are crazy,
but who knew milk has an effect on cymbidium mosaic virus...that sounds interesting. I will have to read it another time, although I see that the abstract sounds promising

very interesting

This study is interesting. It was published in 1994 has anyone found anything more recent?
Joann

I have heard of this before. Since I have access to online journals via my university, I looked for recent findings. Here's what I dug up, but it must be taken with a grain of salt as it's a thesis from an undergraduate college:

From : GREENHOUSE SANITATION: EFFICACY OF DISINFECTANTS ON CUTTING BLADES USING TMV ON PETUNIA AS A MODEL (2008)
"All treatments tested reduced incidence of TMV infection from contaminated razor blades. The most effective one-minute disinfectant treatments in these studies were: 20% non-fat dry milk, 20% non-fat dry milk plus surfactant, 1:10 household bleach, and 1% Virkon®S. [.....] Of the two treatments which provided zero percent incidence of transmission, bleach is corrosive to cutting tools, and thus non-fat dry milk is the preferred treatment. The method by which milk is able to prevent transmission is unknown; this warrantsfurther study."

An other interesting piece of info I found is that industry professionals recommend that their workers wash with non fat dry milk (or skim milk) after normal hand washing. I also discovered that milk also works against powdery mildew.

There have been some studies that have suggested that the milk proteins encapulate virus particles, and so disabling virus transmission.

I think I'll try it. Still don't know what I have but gazing at my chids and wondering if they are sinking is so depressing. The test strips still have not arrived. Wonder how Nichole is doing with hers?

I would note that Camille's quote specifies dry milk. Like powdered milk? I wonder why that makes a difference vs. fresh milk?

Milk, it does a body.... or an orchid, good! :D

Very interesting. I don't know that I'd rely on it completely, but I think I'd use it.

if skim milk can be used as a disinfectant...has anyone tried using it as a decontaminant for flasks after seeding?