On the contrary, hospitals and dentists commonly employ chemical 'dip' sterilization for the vast array of equipment that cannot withstand autoclaving. However, protocols must be tightly maintained:
the equipment is designed for efficient cleaning (clippers are covered with minute ridges that capture & hold detritus); the solutions are carefully maintained, including strength & temperature; and the equipment undergoes thorough scrubbing before dipping. I once attended an orchid potting clinic where the instructor advised us to 'sterilize' the clippers using a pocket lighter... A lighter is incapable of producing sufficient heat for sterilization. 200 disposable razors are cheaper than a single inexpensive orchid plant and much easier to manage. David Janvrin >Message: 4 >Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:57:43 EDT >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: [OGD] Dipping Clippers >To: [email protected] >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" >About as efficient as raping a virgin to cure AIDS. Has she even heard of >orchid viruses? While some of these compounds are supposedly anti-viral, >dipping >is not a definite preventive. You never know if your solution is strong enough >or you left it in long enough. >The only absolutely safe method of preventing contagion is to use a fresh >disposable razor blade for each plant. Any item that is not disposable must be >autoclaved in your pressure cooker, 15 lb. for 15 minutes. Some viruses can >withstand boiling. Why do you think these methods are used in hospitals? >Iris _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
