Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Whats a gardener to do?, 1 by bwilliams

bwilliams wrote:
I have ran into this problem more than my fair share. I always suggest cutting the plants back really hard, most are really durable and can handle a good hacking. I for one am more fond of a move to a warmer state or country rather than a new greenhouse. Even with that in mind I found a great deal on a fully loaded greenhouse this week and bought it. It took two days to take it down and I will be on the third day tomorrow of putting it back up. I hope it will give me enough room at least for a little longer.

On a bit of a down note I would recommend the following.
I would suggest something to everyone cutting down tropicals. I heat my knifes in a fire before each cut on a different plant. I usually contain a small fire in a small grill I have 6 or more knifes being heated to save time. This is to prevent mosaic virus spreading. I had in the past used clorox but found it was not near as good as the heat treatment. I found a virused Banana this season the first I had seen on them. I have seen virus on Alocasias, Colocasias and of course Cannas. For people who have to take their plants in this is something that will spread like wild fire when you cut all your plants down with the same knife. I would like to say this is something rare and not everyone should worry but I would then be a liar. I have seen virused plants from all nursery types from mail order specialty nurseries to the big box nurseries and small time collectors. No plant is safe so I would suggest as much precaution as possible.ime collectors.