RE: Spore sieve(s) / spore refrigerator / digital pH meter.

Brian,

Thank you for your reply!

This is great information. I have to ask, is that a picture of spore in the
sieve or semolina???

I'm just starting out so I'll probably opt for some 3" stainless steel 200
mesh screen as a starting point, and see how that works out... The answer to
which sieves(s) to ultimately use is dependent upon the type of spore being
processed, i.e. a cheilanthoid vs. Marattia. 

As for sterilization, I'll try boiling the sieve after use.

Regards,

Darren



-----Original Message-----
From: owner-ferns@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf Of Brian
Aikins
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 11:20 PM
To: ferns@hort.net
Subject: Re: [ferns] Spore sieve(s) / spore refrigerator / digital pH meter.

I have 3 very useful tools for preparing spores:   A two inch diameter sieve

made with stainless steel wire cloth (McMaster-Carr  85385T879), a stainless

steel brush (Beautech SH-61) with the bristles spread into a 1/2 inch fan, 
and a 1/2 by 3 inch tapered artist's spatula ( similar to 
http://www.aswexpress.com/art-supply/catalogs/0061787000000 ).  The thin 
spatula also works well for transplanting gametophytes, repotting from plug 
trays, etc.

Since the sieve is all metal, it can be sterilized between uses with a heat 
gun.  The only problem I've found is a small percentage (probably <1%) of 
ferns can't be processed with it because the spores are too large.  The last

time that happened I took a picture, see 
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v353/fernpics/Asian_ferns/?action=view&cur
rent=32_3_2005apr.jpg .

I too keep all spores in our kitchen refrigerator, some staying viable for 
more than 15 years.

Please post any links to an affordable pH meter, something I've always 
wanted -- the really cheap moisture-meter-type ones don't seem to work.  I 
wish Apogee Instruments made a pH sensor, I've been very happy with their 
SQ-110 quantum light meter.

OK, that's enough product endorsements for one email.  I'm just a satisfied 
customer (requisite disclaimer).

Brian


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Darren Lloyd" <Darren@ferntastic.com>
To: <ferns@hort.net>
Sent: Thursday, August 28, 2008 7:43 PM
Subject: [ferns] Spore sieve(s) / spore refrigerator / digital pH meter.


> Hello,
>
>
>
> I have a few fern related question please:
>
>
>
> 1) I'm planning to purchase a sieve/sieves for processing my spore. Does
> anyone have any recommendations as to the mesh size(s) best suited for the
> task?
>
>
>
> 2) I'm also thinking of purchasing a small spore refrigerator. Does anyone
> have any recommendations in this regard?
>
>
>
> 3) I'm also looking for an inexpensive digital pH meter with a soil probe,
> but haven't managed to find one yet.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
>
>
> Darren
>
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