Physan 20 Following Warning Labels. - Orchid Board

Cowboys East · #1 06-13-2008, 03:39 PM

Hey everyone,
Wondering how much caution I should use when using Physan 20. As my love of orchids grows so does my collection. I want to start using Physan 20 like a big boy to protect my chids but I am not really sure if I need to follow the warning lables to a T. I grow all my orchids inside under lights and all my repotting is done inside as well. So, do you wear gloves, wear a mask when sparying, and etc......? Just looking for some practical advice.
neil

BikerDoc5968 · #2 06-13-2008, 03:52 PM

This advice comes from the guy who is out in left field without a catcher's mit

I use RD-20 (same exact stuff as Physan 20). I mix it up in my 2 gal sprayer and in a small GH spray away without mask or respirator or glasses...just me and my orchids getting all clean. And when I spray, I SPRAY...everything....walls, benches, plants, flowers and floor. I have noticed a major difference in the amount of crown rot that I no longer seem to have (biting my tongue

) and the flowers don't get spotted from mold the way they used to. Since I'm not creating an ultra-fine mist, as one might get with a spray can, the droplets just go where I shoot and within an hour everybody is dry and clean...well it takes a couple of hours for the floor, but you get my drift. In your home, yes, I'd be more discriminating as to the spraying technique!

whygreenberg · #3 06-13-2008, 04:00 PM

I keep my 'chids inside too. I always wear rubber gloves whenever I handle chemicals, the Physan 20 or fertilizer, and only do it at the sink. (Tho of course, I still have a small enough number of 'chids in my collection that I can schlep them to the sink for watering etc.) I dunno if there's really reason to wear a mask unless perhaps you were using something to spray a big area with a really fine mist.

Ross · #4 06-13-2008, 04:20 PM

I use Physan 20 (and stronger stuff as well, like Chlordane and Diazinone

) and if you trust your sprayer and if you are careful to not get the stuff on you or anything that matters, it tends to be - not safe - but not really deadly. If I find stuff drizzling on my hands, I stop, wash off my hands with soap and cold water (warm water opens the pores), then put on plastic gloves and resume spraying. I rarely have overspray with the little bit I do.

Dorothy · #5 06-13-2008, 04:21 PM

As a precaution, it's always wise to, at least, use gloves when using chemicals and encourage minimal exposure. Insure your area is well ventilated.
Your skin and lungs are sponges to your blood as you don't know if or how it can react with you ..

BikerDoc5968 · #6 06-13-2008, 05:12 PM

I must say Dorothy does make a GREAT case for skin protection because of potential absorption..One should always air on the side of safety. And Ross, Diazionone...what?, are you hoarding this stuff??? It hasn't been available for years...off the record, I've got my private stash, too! Not sure what I'd use in it's place

Dorothy · #7 06-13-2008, 05:17 PM

Tsk tsk on those horrible poisons ..
Men!

Ross · #8 06-13-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

I must say Dorothy does make a GREAT case for skin protection because of potential absorption..One should always air on the side of safety. And Ross, Diazionone...what?, are you hoarding this stuff??? It hasn't been available for years...off the record, I've got my private stash, too! Not sure what I'd use in it's place

Not off the market H. It's off the market for most of us. Licensed applicators can still get these chems for the specific reason they are permitted. That's why you and I can't - 'cause we kept dumping this stuff in sewers and storm drains

I have a stash of Chlordane from 1960s (and we know how much it degrades, right

) that is like tar it's so thick. This is good for treating open basement walls for termites. That's about it.