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Reuse of plastic baskets and clay pots

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Forrest, Mar 9, 2009.

  1. Mar 9, 2009 #1
    Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    So what is the most easy and economical way of sterilizing pots or reuse so that they will not transmit virus?
     
  2. Mar 9, 2009 #2
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    Plastic baskets would be a few rounds with bleach spray. Clay pots would be a bake in the oven at 250 for an hour.
     
  3. Mar 10, 2009 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I put everything in a 10% bleach solution and leave it for 24 hours (or until I get back to it). If you cover the bucket/tub the chlorine won't evaporate so fast and can be used again.
     
  4. Mar 10, 2009 #4
    Forrest

    Forrest Really Neat

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    that work for clay too? And how long do you leave that solution? do you replace it each time you want to put pots in?
     
  5. Mar 10, 2009 #5
    Tom-DE

    Tom-DE Well-Known Member Supporting Member

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    Forrest, you can leave the clay pots in the bleach solution for a day or two, but at least 12 hours. If you want to reuse the solution, add a little bit more bleach to it. I soak the pots again with water after the bleach treament.
     
  6. Mar 10, 2009 #6
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    If the clay is porous and it is dry when you put it in the chlorine will permeate it easily. If it isn't dry it would take longer to penetrate. Though I don't know that virus would be in interior pours of the clay. I leave them a minimum of 24 hours. I do use the solution a couple of times adding some extra Chlorox each time. It gets a bit disgusting after a while and I start fresh. Chlorox is pretty cheap. It evaporates, so I put them in the sun to dry completely.
     
  7. Mar 10, 2009 #7
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    I would be concerned that after a few runs, you'd get some salts in the clay. I'd stick to the oven idea.
     
  8. Mar 10, 2009 #8
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I don't use a lot of porous clay, but I don't think that the oven is going to remove salts that are in the clay.
     
  9. Mar 10, 2009 #9
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    The oven would be used to neutralize the viruses and bacteria. Bleach is, more or less, salt water. Bleach adds salts to the clay... unlike the oven.
     
  10. Mar 11, 2009 #10
    Tom_in_PA

    Tom_in_PA I am not an addict

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    This is all I do as well Jon. The only thing I do different is I crank the oven upto 450 for 35-45 minutes. I do this at night after diner so I can leave them in the oven then all night to cool slowly. There isn't a damn thing going to survive that kind of heat :D
     
  11. Mar 13, 2009 #11
    Ben_in_SoFla

    Ben_in_SoFla New Member

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    Before you soak in chlorine solution, you should make sure all organic matter is off the pot. I use a light duty electric pressure washer (approx 1500 psi) to kinda remove all the roots and stuff, which is where the virus would be. A good soak in 15-20 pct chlorine and a good rinse followed by a some time drying in the sun. If there's heavy calcium buildup you'll need to soak in muriatic acid solution (10-15 pct) to get rid of it.

    After all is said and done, you'll wonder why you didn't buy new pots to begin with. I have pretty much stopped using anything larger than 4 inch clay pots.
    I have many that I'll be selling cheap in South Florida, when I get around to it.

    :)