Disposable Food Containers 4 Flasking!

Hi Y'all!

I have a bunch of the disposable plastic storage containers (GLAD, other manufacturers, etc) in my kitche, and said to myself, "Self, these would be wonderful for flasking (especially replating) orchids." The letters by the recyling symbol embossed on the container reads "PP" and I asssume this means polypropylene. So I autoclaved one at 121 degrees for 20 minutes. AND IT LIVED! No melting or structural defects!

These things come in alot of sizes, and are CHEAP! Problems might be venting the lids (Adhesive filtration patches would work great) and possibly te colored lids, though you can get them with red lids, which should help with growth.

Brian Monk, DVM

Ft.Lauderdale, FL

I am not an expert in this field or even close to it , I wonder if the plastic would hide bacteria or fungus ? I use them for community pots once the plants leave the flask . I had a friend that used baby food jars as flasks .Just a thought . Gin

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Gin,

I autoclaved this at 2 atmospheres, 121 deg C, for 20 minutes. his is standard for sterilizing palstics, metal, glass, anything. Contamination is not a problem.

Brian Monk, DVM

Is plastic dense enough to prevent contamination over a period of time ,or will it degrade ?

__________________
Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid all together.

Gin, this is the same stuff that many major labs use for their plant tissue culture work, just on the cheap and in a different form. Posts to several other forum sites have indicated that this seems to be a valid option.

Brian