First, I want to thank Steve for this next article in the series. I am looking forward to the next one.
I thought I might add a few tips on cleaning tools and pots, since it was touched on in this article. The main reason for sterilising tools is to prevent the spread of viruses - the most common vector is people! Insects can and do transfer viruses between plants, but usually viruses are transferred by an individual not cleaning their tools between plants. Viruses can also be transferred by having virused plants drip water or sap onto healthy plants below.
Tools
When using any sterilisation method, it's always a good idea to give the tools a quick clean first to remove any traces of plant material or sap that may interfere with the sterilisation process.
Small butane torches are great, as Steve said. I use one myself for flaming tools. The important thing to remember is that the tool does get quite hot (the idea is to heat the cutting surfaces above about 130°C, as this guarantees any virus is denatured/killed), so you either want an insulated handle or gloves.
Another option is to soak the tools in isopropyl alcohol or a saturated solution of trisodium phosphate (TSP). These will generally not corrode your tools and can be used on some plastics as well. The catch is that they need to soak for at least 20 minutes.
Pots
You can reuse pots, but first always clean them. Wash pots first to remove all debris and any material stuck to the sides of the pots.
Plastic pots should then be soaked in a 10% bleach solution for 30-60 minutes to kill any viruses.
Ceramic and terracotta pots should be baked in an oven at 130°C for approx. the same period. If you cannot do this, then it is inadvisable to reuse ceramic/terracotta pots except for the same plant, as viruses and fungus can live inside the porous material.
Benches
Something that often gets missed/forgotten is that benches need to be kept clean as well. If you have a known virused plant, sterilise the bench where it was sitting or the hook it was hanging from. This will ensure that the next plant to be placed in that location doesn't risk being infected by traces left behind from the previous occupant. This is particularly important when dealing with certain viruses, such as Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus (ORSV), as it will easily live outside a host for over two years.
General Hygiene
Finally, it's a good idea to wash hands between working on each plant or wear a pair of disposable gloves, especially when you might be unsure about the possibility of a plant carrying a virus.
Some viruses can jump between genera (for example, ORSV quite happily lives in Cymbidiums and Dendrobiums). Additionally, not all viruses are immediately obvious, especially if the plant is well cared for. So it's always a good idea to be cautious when working on new plants or those from sellers you have no prior experience with.
