Disinfectant

I normally wash the whole greenhouse down inside & out a few days before I start sowing, I use Armillatox (prob spelt that wrong!) & just leave it, but yesterday I found whilst looking around a local Garden centre a greenhouse candle :confused: apparently you light it & it kills everthing! just wondered what you all use & if there is any benefit to using one of these candles?

[ 16. January 2006, 08:25 AM: Message edited by: Gardening Newbie ]

 

i ve used a candle.... kills all pests and disease, but you are best to wash all surfaces to remove dirt, b4, its probably a good idea to change methods regularly

 

I do mine with J*ys Flu*d been using it for years, not too strong a mix do use gloves. I wash everything in it seed trays, pots, floor etc. I find if a plant is not looking well a mild JF will sometines do the trick [nasties at the root and too well estableshed to dig up]


"It's kill or cure" sighed Walrus cook.
Ruppert Bear 1951

 

The greenhouse candles are sulphur candles and when burnt they produce sulphur dioxide (SO2). this will then combine with any water to produce sulphurous acid (H2SO3) which will eventually be further oxidised to suphuric acid (H2SO4)

What does all this mean?

First sulphur dioxide will kill most pests, predators and any plants that are not dormant so should be used in an empty greenhouse or during winter while plants (particularly vines) are dormant. The acids produced when combined with water are corrosive and will harm the lungs so light the candle (which burns with a pretty pale blue flame and is not obvious in bright daylight) then get out and shut the door without breathing the fumes (very unpleasant!). Leave the house undisturbed for at least 24 hours then ventillate well for couple of days to get rid of any lingering fumes.

Because of the acids, any steel or aluminium may be attacked (dependant on grade and finish quality) Aluminium houses can be especially at risk if the annodised cut sections have not been treated and the bare metal is exposed, this applies also to scratched surfaces. Plated glazing clips can also be rusted so candles are best avoided. They are however ideal in wooden glasshouses.

House hygene generally is aided by thorough washing down with a detergent before applying any disinfectant. Mould or moss should also be cleaned from the glazing or framework. If it's a wooden house make sure all paintwork is sound.

The well known fluid (are we allowed to say Jeyes?) or Armillatox do a pretty thorough job if the house is otherwise clean and well maintained.

Edit: Thought I better add, whilst aluminium can be attacked by some acids they are fairly resitant under normal conditions. Strong bases (such as caustic soda) are however the kiss of death on the bare metal so never be tempted to clean stained aluminium with caustic and wire wool or oven pads.

[ 17. January 2006, 06:21 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

nice post

 

Ditto! My greenhouse is only a couple of years old & on a concrete base so its not very dirty at all so I think I'll stick to the Armillatox!

 

sulphur candles, or as they used to be sulphur flares, have been use for donkeys years to sterilize greenhouses, unfortunately even though we have a victorian kitchen garden and wish to carry out things in a traditional way if possible, we can't use them due to the health and safety bods saying its far to dangerous! only thing is we can't wash 6 x 40 foot high vineries down with j*y*s f*u*d

 

rudham1:

I got one from the local Dobbies garden centre. Farm suppliers might also keep them.

There are several on-line suppliers as well, about the �£4.00 mark + postage. Just Google "sulphur candle" and use a UK search option.

Edit: re-reading, is the problem obtaining them or have Health and Safety proscribed their use on your premises? After all it's not very safe to be washing down up a 40ft ladder! I'd be inclined just to use them and them blame the village idiot. Alternatively you could apeal and ask if they will grant a dispensation on historic and practicality grounds

As you say they have been used in vineries and for barrel fumigation for hundreds of years. Just light the touchpaper and retire immediately!

[ 18. January 2006, 12:00 AM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

health and safety purely on the fumes aspect of it!no problem getting them. there just restricted on the hazardous substances basis! i use them at home though, work a treat!

 

Hmmm... Well, it's not something you're going to be using every day so it sounds like it's a weekend job when no one else is about....

Not that I'd ever encourage anyone to break H&SE rules

 

:D :D :rolleyes:

Just out of interest with the armillatox does anyone wash it off the greenhouse? in the instructions it says to spray on & leave which is what I have been doing, but last year I put up a alluminium framed aviary & in the "Care" instructions that was delivered with it, it says that if you wash it down with disinfectant make sure you wash it off as over time it can erode the metal

Helen

 

It's true, some disinfectants and sulphur candles will erode aluminium, so washing off is a good idea. Even if the aluminium is coated there are often exposed cut edges. See above excellent post by Frogesque posted 17 January, 2006 17:10 .

 

How long would you say to leave the disinfectant on before washing off?

 

24 hours

 

I have a couple of purple sprouting broccoli plants in the greenhouse as well as some salad leaves-mizuna I think

Will they be killed if I light a candle in there?or still be edible after washing?
I never seem to have a completely empty greenhouse and bought the candle years ago,never used it but had blight last year fir the first time
Maybe jeyes would be better?

Aria