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Old wooden basket sterilizing

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by Raven, Jan 21, 2021.

  1. Jan 21, 2021 #1
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Hello everybody,

    I have an old wooden basket that I would like to be able to reuse but I am not sure how to sanitize it. I used to have a large hybrid Cattleya growing in it until I realized the plant was virused (thrown it away). The basket is one of a kind, 12" in diameter, and very nicely made. is there any way to keep it?
     
  2. Jan 22, 2021 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    I think an extended soak in a Physan solution would do the trick. 1 teaspoon/gallon for a couple of days, followed by a plain water soak.
     
  3. Jan 22, 2021 #3
    Chuck-NH

    Chuck-NH Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking ZeroTol, but I suppose that might actually break down the wood a bit?
     
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  4. Jan 22, 2021 #4
    Photosynthetic

    Photosynthetic New Member

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    My understanding is that viruses are heat sensitive, so wouldn't heating it in the oven at, say, 200F for a couple of hours do the trick?
     
  5. Jan 23, 2021 #5
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Zero-tol would also work.

    I'm not sure I'd bake wood.
     
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  6. Jan 23, 2021 #6
    Photosynthetic

    Photosynthetic New Member

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    A lot of lumber is heat-treated commercially for preservative and aesthetic reasons, and at higher temperatures than 200 degrees, so that really shouldn't be an issue with the basket.
     
  7. Jan 24, 2021 #7
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    The heat treating used to kill insects and pathogens - a requirement for international shipping pallets, for example - requires the wood be 133F for 30 minutes.

    I’m not sure that would kill all viruses.
     
  8. Jan 24, 2021 #8
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I sterilize rolls of paper towels at 235F for an hour and then use them under the laminar flow hood. You might want to do it for longer. Before you try your good one you could try some you don't care about.
     
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  9. Jan 25, 2021 #9
    Raven

    Raven Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for your suggestions! I'm gonna try a heat treatment, I think.