What is the best way to disinfect used prime agra? - Orchid Board

KHaze · #1 06-09-2010, 06:52 PM

Hi! I have some prime agra that I used for an orchid that died. I want to disinfect it and get it ready for another plant. What is the best way to do this?

Thanks!

Junebug · #2 06-09-2010, 09:58 PM

Many folks on the board will probably warn you to not risk reusing them, however, that would not be me. I'm not fond of growing my chids in straight SH pellets but often add prime agra to my other potting media. Either way it should be thoroughly cleaned between usage. If not, you risk transferring virus, bacteria and insects to the next plant.

When it comes time to repot I remove the SH pellets and any other inorganic material and toss the organic stuff in the compost. I then place the pellets in an old colander and rinse them off well using the most forceful setting on my hand held waterhose sprayer. I try my best to remove all the old stuck-on roots. Then the SH pellets and/or volcanic rock get soaked for a few hours in a mixture of 1/2 cup bleach to a gallon of water. If the pellets are particularly yucky I add more bleach. Afterwards the pellets get a thorough rinsing and another long soak in just plain water. Then they are drained in a colander, placed in a shallow casserole dish, and baked at 275 degrees until they are completely dry. I stir to rearrange them about every 30 minutes. Once they're dry I remove them from the oven, let them cool, and store them for later use in a ziploc bag.

KHaze · #3 06-09-2010, 10:15 PM

Thanks Junebug! I was thinking of soaking them in bleach and then physan and then maybe boiling them on the stove top but but baking them would dry them out nicely and make them easy to store. I'll try it!

Do you find it hard to rinse out all of the bleach? I'm a little worried that with how the prime agra wicks up water it will soak up the bleach and retain it. Maybe I should soak it in straight water for a while after I soak it in the bleach?

Junebug · #4 06-09-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KHaze

Thanks Junebug! I was thinking of soaking them in bleach and then physan and then maybe boiling them on the stove top but but baking them would dry them out nicely and make them easy to store. I'll try it!

Do you find it hard to rinse out all of the bleach? I'm a little worried that with how the prime agra wicks up water it will soak up the bleach and retain it. Maybe I should soak it in straight water for a while after I soak it in the bleach?

Yes, I rinse them very well and give them a long soak in plain water before baking. Boiling sounds good too and a little Physan soak probably wouldn't hurt in your situation because you don't want to spread whatever killed your other plant.

Zoi2 · #5 06-09-2010, 11:27 PM

I reuse my prime agra all the time. I just boil it on the stove in tap water for about 15 to 20 minutes, rinse in a colander and store it for the next use.
Joann

KHaze · #6 06-10-2010, 08:24 AM

Thanks guys!

cb977 · #7 06-10-2010, 08:47 AM

Since I use some sort of LECA for almost all the chids, I definitely re-use mine although the "experts" have said it's a no-no...but I'm a risk-taker

I have one bucket out in the room that is used to collect the old stuff as I repot. Once it's about 3/4 of the way full, I fill it up with a strong bleach solution and let it soak for a day or two (by the second day the bleach is basically breaking down to nothingness), then I rinse it all very well and soak it in clean fresh water with either Superthrive or KLN mixed in...again, me the risk-taker

After a day of soaking in that, it's transferred to a new bucket after being drained.

So far, it's been working for 5 1/2 years