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Re: Disenfecting Plants?

First, I just want to say that I don't think much of the response, "Go look in the archives".  It always sound to me like, "Go take a flying F*** and stop bothering us".  Personally, I have never even figured out how to look in the archives.  If I see a post that doesn't interest me I don't bother reading it...and I sure as heck don't bother responding to it!  Besides, sometimes old questions elicit new responses.  Maybe my response will be new, but I really don't know because I didn't check the archives.

I use bleach to disinfect non-living things.  Like rocks, wood, gravel, and equipment.  For plants I use Potassium Permanganate.  It is much gentler and just as effective.  Now, I will admit it is a little harder to get a hold of.  For bleach you just go to the corner store, to get potassium permanganate you have to go to a chemical supply house...but you only have to go once because you will buy a lifetime supply.  I bought 2.5 kg jar (the stuff is heavy) and have given away half of it...and I still have a lifetime supply.  All you need is 1/4 teaspoon added to a quart of water.  Dip the plants for 15-20 minutes and rinse.  Any residue acts like a fertilizer and is harmless to fish.  My plants are always greener and more robust after this treatment...you can't say the same about bleach!  I really like what it does to the green spot algae on my annulus leaves.  It turns the green spots purple, and after about five days you can rub off the spots with your thumb and the leaf underneath will be bright green.  With bleach the spots will come off faster, but the leaf underneath will be white and dead...never to revive.  Potassium permanganate is an intense purple dye.  You sure don't want to get it on your clothes...just like bleach!

It is well worth the effort to acquire.  In the San Francisco Bay Area I bought mine from a place called Chemicals for Research & Industry. They are located at 2928 Poplar Street in Oakland, CA 94608.  Their phone number is (510) 893-8257.

Good luck!

Alan

Alan Kaufmann, Psych Tech
Napa, California..................
Where grapes are grown......
.....................................and nuts are stored.


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