Using Lysol spray
 

I'm getting some bare root orchids delivered soon. I was thinking of lightly spraying the roots with lysol, as a general preventive. I've used it before on amaryllis bulbs and dahlia tubers/roots with no harmful effect. Has anyone used lysol on roots before ?

What's the goal?


Ryan

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lysol is listed as killing 99.9% of viruses, bacteria, mold and mildew. As a bonus also kills the flu virus ! Its taken care of overwintered amaryllis and dahlias. I am just a little wary of using it on expensive orchids as it may be a hard lesson learnt - hence this request for further detail...

I grow amaryllis too.

As for it's effectiveness on plants, I doubt it will do much harm or good for that matter. Someone correct me but a virus in a plant will be spread via juice of that plant, pollen and other means such as shared water. Topically spraying doesn't seem like it would do much good but sterilize the surface, when the illness is under that surface. Also, plant viruses only die when the plant is destroyed. It will never be cured of it like an animal can.

Just my thoughts but I could be very wrong here.


Ryan

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I want to use it as a "general preventive" - spraying against mold, bacteria and fungus. Its worked for me on bulbs. I was wary spraying them too - but I used some bulbs as a control group, and some rotted without the spray. The bulbs that were lightly sprayed all survived.
The vendor of the ( bare root ) orchids recommended a physan 20 bath, but I don't have that product.

*Lysol is used to immerse orchid seeds to help sterilize it before flasking

I consider Physan 20 as the big gun; buds and some new growing leaves can be affected...I use home remedy first before using heavy duty chemicals...I use Lysol disenfectant spray on the roots of my vandas to prevent fungi, bacteria and molds...and the light alcohol helps roots to be more permeable... and let it grow bigger...the only thing is: it also have chlorine(which by itself or in the water doesnt affect orchids) but it can develop into sea salt(sodium chloride=plants dont like this)...so ...as soon as the Lysol dries up; I flush the roots with lots of water to dissolve any salts developing...thats why I drill holes on glass vases where my vandas stay...its easier to put the glass in the sink and let the water flow free and clean the roots...
as for virus: no chemicals or antibiotics can cure your plant ...better thrash it and let the other healthy plants be saved...it can spread rapidly

Thanks Bud. I guess I will be giving it a go.......will give an update later.