Re: Potassium permanganate and moss

Jan Schlauer (zxmsl01@studserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de)
Fri, 18 Nov 1994 14:50:32 +0100

Rogan,

(...)
>the growing medium with a dilute solution of Potassium
>permanganate - when germinating seed for example. Does this
>method work with CP? Are there any possible phytotoxic effects
>to be expected?

Well, it depends...
As with most poisons it is a question of dosis and timing. I am rather sure
I can propose conditions under which you will kill any moss and algae, but
you will lose your plants, too.

For my in vitro cultures (Lentibulariaceae), I use a 0.5% (w/v) solution of
hypochlorite (NaOCl) for a few minutes (until seed coat is bleached). Then
I sow the seed on sterile media.

> Are there any other methods of controlling moss growth that are commonly
> used in CP culture?

Definitely! Have you considered axenic in vitro cultures already? All you
need is a clean place (preferably a clean bench) where you can "repot" your
plants without introducing contaminants into your cultures, and a
possibility to sterilize media and tools (=autoclave).

Kind regards from rather mossy (and -alas!- very "fungous") Germany to the
home of our belovid _Drosera_natalensis_

Jan