Sterilizing plants

Ponyta

Ponyta

AC Members
Dec 21, 2007
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Toronto, Canada
I'm thinking of getting some java moss and java fern, but not sure on the best way of sterilizing them. I have bleach available, but some sites say java moss is tough, others say its too harsh.
So would bleach be ok? How do you guys sterilize yours?
 
bleach is no good for plants.....

Go for potassium permanganate
 
Bleaching is fine for most, but not all plants. Moss and ferns should be OK. Use a mix of 19 parts water to 1 part bleach. Dip the plants in the solution for about 90 seconds. Rinse thouroughly and then drop into a bucket with a good dose of dechlor added. You can plant right away.

If the plants have algae on them it may not vanish, however it has been killed and it will turn color and go away fairly soon. Critters hitchhiking should all be dead.
 
Unfortunately peroxide wont kill some of the nasty hitchhikers on plants.

Basically bleach tends to kill the more delicate stuff such as water sprite or asian fern. Since I dont know anybody who has kept all the plants and bleached them as well, i don't think any single person has compiled a list.

If you are not sure, try dipping a small portion and if it does ok, you can do the rest.
 
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