Greetings,
I carry my pruning shears and other gardening tools in my tool belt as I work around the yard. I'm concerned I might spread bacteria or diseases when I go plant-to-plant cutting here and there.
1) Should I wipe the blades after each cut?
2) If so, what's an easy way to do that?
Regards,
Mike

If you are concerned about spreading rot withing the same plant, clean after each cut. If you are concerned about spreading diseases between plants, clean after each plant.

I use a spray bottle with full strength rubbing alcohol.

Many people I know carry a "pocket butane torch".

I use the Lysol/Clorox bleach wipes.

Yes, Chlorox wipes (and dips) are an option but I'm allergic to bleach. Do you find your tools corroding from the constant contact with the bleach? (a question that has come up in orchid potting seminars)

If you decide to use alcohol wipes (instead of spray), read the ingredients list. It may be called an alcohol wipe but you will discover there is NO alchohol in there anywhere.

I have not noticed any issues with the bleach wipes, after I use them I will dip the blade in water after the last use.

I second the butane torch, simply because some plant viruses (especially for orchids) won't be killed by a wipe with alcohol.

Thank you, all. Will start with wipes but likely keep a spray in the garden shed for the end of the day.
Regards,
Mike

Mike,Mike ,Mike!
Here at work when we have to trim back crab apple we take along a can of lysol, or a reasonable facsimile, and after each and every cut spray it down. This method even keeps fire blight in check! It's so effective I've taken to doing this at home.Just make sure to hit your blade(s) with some 3 in 1 or some other type of rust preventer.

Hope this helps.
J.R.

I use secateurs on a wide variety of perennials through the gardening season and don't usually worry moving between healthy plants.

One exception, however, is garden phlox. We see very little powdery mildew on our phlox, but I use mouthwash as a preventative measure when going from phlox to phlox. Used to use hydrogen peroxide, but now use mouthwash (which can have a surprisingly high alcohol content).

Use salt, not mouthwash, for oral hygiene.