Heat vs alcohol to sterilize tools?
 

Does anyone have any factual knowledge about sterilization of cutting instruments? Will alcohol work as well as a torch to kill pathogens, especially viruses? Is there a sprayable solution that is better than alcohol that can be used?

There are many theories concerning the killing of viruses, but in my many years of growing, the only ones I trust are flaming the cutting tools or soaking them and plastic pots in a 5%-10% solution of Clorox for an hour. Metal tools or clay pots may also be baked in the oven at temps over 325F. I used to put used razor blades in a pan on the lower oven rack when I baked meat loaf or similar dishes for 1 1/2 hours.

The theory behind this is the fact that anything that kills a virus will also kill the host. Boiling water will kill weeds and alcohol may kill some insects, but I would never use them to fight virus.

:twocents:

Cym Ladye

Agree with Cym Ladye. Alcohol is good for some things, but it doesn't and can't kill everything, especially some viruses. Bleach is my preferred method, but it can really oxidize metal shears (anyone know if they make ceramic shears that are worth a crap?). Torch is also good, but you've got to make sure to scorch them.

This is my opinion, I think a strong solution of pool fungicide or bleach is better than heat, mainly because the solution is not only disinfecting the tool but is also disinfecting the cut being made. Dipping the tool in the solution before and after each cut ensures this. I don't know about alcohol.

interesting question. The answer is simple though. A propane flame burns at over 1900 degrees f. A simple flaming of your tools will sterilize them completely as long as they are clean of dirt. There is no need to scorch the metal.

Soaking tools in a supersaturated solution of trisodium phosphate is used by many to sterilize them.

I use razor blades for small cutting chores and sharp knife for the larger one. I use a small torch to sterilize my knife and blade before making a cut. I bake the razor blade in the oven also. I believe that heat is the best way to sterilize the tool and what your cutting. If the blade is hot enough it with cauterize the cut. Using sharp blade are far better then using scissors or pruners because you crush far less cells. Crushed cells excrete liquids which can lead to the infected parts transferring to the new cut wound. H2O2 is also good.

I will add that a few grower here in SO CA use heat guns to sterilize there tools to make cuttings.

The only use I have for pruning shears is to trim the ends of the support stakes. :lol: Otherwise, I use double edged razor blades which can be tossed (or heat sterilized for reuse), and old serrated plastic handled, stainless steel, steak knives which can easily be soaked in a Clorox solution with no harm done. To tamp plants in when necessary, I use a 12" 1/2" diameter, plastic PVC pipe with an end glued on. Easy to sterilize in the same solution.

I am often dealing with very large Cymbidiums in 2-3 gallon pots and I still have all my fingers! :rofl:

Cym Ladye