Peter, Acetone is is listed as a moderately hazardous material by many States. The danger is highest where the user is likely to inhale the stuff, eg spraying in enclosed spaces such as greenhouses. It will evaporate rapidly from the sprayed solution & sprayed surfaces (even at dilutions of 1:1000) and will accumulate in the atmosphere around the plants. I have no idea what the effect on the plants will be, but I do know about the effect on humans who inhale it..... do you have any glue sniffers in your area ? In some places they're called "solvent abusers" ... their preferred "high" is acetone.
Acetone is also moderately reactive, and undergoes addition/condensation reactions with a wide range of organic molecules, so you run the risk of converting your expensive fungicide (or whatever) into a chemical cocktail of useless (or harmful) properties. I'd check with the manufacturer for solvent-compatibility before trying it out. Acetone is a very good solvent, so it is very good at softening (or even dissolving) some plastics, including the styrofoam pellets used in many orchid potting mixtures. Expect possible deleterious effects on plastic parts of your pumping system, plastic flower pots, plastic plant labels and plastic greenhouse fittings. I suggest you run some tests before broadcasting the stuff in your system .... try rubbing a few drops of pure acetone onto small samples of the various plastics found in your greenhouse & spray system & see if there is any discolouration or softening. Peter --------------------------------------------------------- Hi, If i disolve a chemical in acetone to make a stock solution, will the acetone have an effect on the media or plants? In other words is acetone toxic to plant material at dilution rates of 1:1000? thanks, Peter Spear. _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
