Viateur, Not long ago we tried to answer a similar question with regards to a repotting clinic at our orchid show. Note that the article references bacteria and fungus. A 'dip' that only addresses bacteria and fungus is not effective in protecting our orchids. I was much more concerned with the transmission of viruses. On that there were a few claims of effective liquid products suitable to be employed as a 'dip'. These tended to employ silver nitrate and were more expensive. We elected to use a new single edge razor blade for each plant. For ease of use the blade can be inserted in a holder. (Of course care should then be taken that the holder does not transfer virus.) So as far as the cutting action, this method should be virtually 100% effective against virus, fungus and bacteria. If bought in a box of 100 blades or more, in the US, its less than 5 cents each. I have 'heard' quotes of the percentage of incidence of virus in the average orchid hobbyist's collection but such was just talk. I did not see any scientific evidence. I believe it to be significant and a higher incidence in an older collection. I do know firsthand that one of our members was using generally haphazard undipped clippers over plants sitting in each others debris. After evidence of virus he decided to destroy thousands of orchids. At the time the cost of testing the orchids was probably more costly than the plants were worth. For the health of our orchids we should take great care. I would not want to go to my family doc and have them give me maybe a flu shot with a needle previously used on someone else.
Lee in South Carolina > -------- Original Message -------- > Subject: [OGD] dipping clippers / queries > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Mon, August 18, 2008 12:52 pm > To: [email protected] > > > In an interesting article > > [URL : http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art58243.asp ] > > Susan Taylor wrties : > > "be sure to purchase Physan 20 or Consan 20 to dip your clippers in between > plants... so that you do not transmit bacteria or fungus among your plants." > > is that method efficient ? > what is the exact procedure ? > > how long should you dip the clippers ? > what other products could be used if Physan 20 or Consan 20 if the latter > are not available locally ? > > *************** > Thanks in advance for any pratical advice. > > Regards, > > Viateur > > > _______________________________________________ > the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) > [email protected] > http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
