Hygiene is very important at all stages of plant culture. Contamination by pathogens and/or insects at the propagation or young plant stage is likely to be passed on at each level of plant advancement, with an escalation of problems over time.
Use clean and sterile utensils and materials and always have clean working areas, containers, hands and clothing. When work has been completed, clean up the work area and equipment. Sterilise equipment
(secateurs, knives, propagation containers and work areas) with a sterilising compound such as, 100% alcohol or a chlorine-based solution, and store equipment in a clean location. Do not use chlorinated products near insect colonies as minute doses may be deadly to them. Discard rubbish, particularly plant material and potting mix contaminated with insect pests, diseases or quarantined seed, into proper disposal units, not on the floor or benches.
Recycled potting mix, that has not been treated, should only be used for larger plants as these are usually more resilient to harmful microorganisms that may be present in the mix. New potting mix should be used when propagating seeds and cuttings and potting germinated seed. Alternatively, recycled mix may be used if it has been properly heat treated e.g. pasteurised at 60°C for 30 minutes. If pasteurisation is not possible and the recycled mix is suspected of harbouring harmful
microorganisms, it should be treated with a suitable broad spectrum chemical pesticide (fumigant or drench) that is known to destroy the suspected
pests.
