| There are other
ways to sterilize potting tools, but a propane
torch is by far the most convenient. Although your orchids may look disease-free,
you only have to cut one virused plant to start the spread throughout your
whole collection. Experienced orchid growers sterilize their cutting tools
between plants.
Passing a blade through the flame for few moments on each side is sufficient
to kill any virus.
A propane torch with an automatic igniting device will save you a lot of time and frustration and is well worth the initial expense. The fuel cylinders themselves are inexpensive. If you feel uncomfortable using a torch other options might be an alcohol lamp, or soaking the tools in a saturated soloution of TSP (trisodium phosphate). Although the latter technique has gone in and out of popularity, it is generally impractical because tools need to soak for an extended period of time to kill virus with any degree of certainty. Household bleach will probably not kill virus but may ruin your tools. Be sure to sterilize a cutting tool after cutting one plant and before cutting another.
propane cylinder with auto-ignite torch |
