Sterilizing tools

[camille1585]

I have a little mini blow torch that I use to make crème-brûlée. Perfect for sterilizing tools, just have to press a button to get the flame.

You don't need to get the blade dull or red to sterilize. In the labs at work we hold our tools barely a few seconds over the flame, and it's more than enough to sterilize them.

[Eyebabe]

Just bought a blow torch two weeks ago at Home Depot.
It is about the size of a very small cordless drill so it's a bit larger than some of the "mini" ones they had there.
However, it is really easy to use...turn the gas knob and fire it like a gun, viola!
The little propane tanks clip in the bottom very easily.

I absolutely love this thing. It sits on my table outside and I just pick it up with one hand and blast my tool
What a time saver.
No fuss, no mess, I am kicking myself that I did not buy something like it sooner.

It was not expensive either!

[keithrs]

I use razor blades and pruning shears. The razor blades are washed in physan 20, than placed on a cookie sheet and baked at 475 for 1 hr.

My shears are soaked in physan 20 for 15 min before I use them. Than I use a heat gun to kill any other virus's. After I use them to make a cut, I dunk them in the physan solution.

It's also important to wash your hands before, during, and after handling the plant. Or use disposable gloves.

[snappyguy]

I scrub my tools and use Consan, a very similar product to Physan and more readily obtainable locally, here at least. I've only needed to use it a few times because I'm still pretty new to orchids, but it has worked for me.

[peeweelovesbooks]

I use the one blade per plant method. I'm not going to mess with torches as I'm liable to burn myself.

If I need to whip out the scissors I scrub them with dishwasher detergent and alcohol wipes.

[stefpix]

I spoke with David Horak of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He is the person in charge of the orchids. He uses disposable razor blades that cost 6 cents each for each plant. He only uses pruning shears on really dry / dead plant material. I believe he stated that sometimes a blow torch may not be sufficient. He does not reuse pot hangers for different plants until they can go into an oven and be heated until red.

He said that bleach does not sterilize clay pots. And regarding plastic pots it is cheaper to get a new pot than spend time scrubbing and sterilizing old pots.

He has 7000 orchids to take care of. Was very interesting.

He was very adamant about using disposable blades.

[JaneEyre]

Wow those are all good ideas. I'm thinking I might get mini torch for major trims and, perhaps, disposable blades for occasional plant here and there.

It's amazing that our methods growing orchids as diverse as orchids themselves.

[Connie Star]

In my office (I'm a doctor) we have a product that we wipe down surfaces with and let it air dry. It is supposed to kill viruses. Unfortunately it stinks and makes me choke.
I've been using alcohol wipes (isopropyl alcohol). I worry about cutting or burning myself, or starting a fire. So far, so good.

[Brotherly Monkey]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I have a little mini blow torch that I use to make crème-brûlée. Perfect for sterilizing tools, just have to press a button to get the flame.

You don't need to get the blade dull or red to sterilize. In the labs at work we hold our tools barely a few seconds over the flame, and it's more than enough to sterilize them.

this is what I have , and the small size of the flame makes it very easy to handle while lit.