Does anyone bother to disinfect new (mail order) plants via a potassium permanganate, bleach, or alum dip/bath per Steve Hampton's recommendations found here:

Plant Dips/Baths for disinfecting and killing snails and algae

or some other regimen?

Is it worth the trouble and risk?

I dont bother.. but I make sure that the plants are fully ship shape before they go in.. remove all dead stuff, any signs of algae.. most of the time you can tell by the look of the plant how healthy it is.

I've found a lot of those type suggestions tend to kill/hurt the plants a lot.
I pick them clean good, then soak them in regular tap for a few hours, rinse and swirl around good, that alone for 30-60 seconds removes 90% of the algae.

Like a fish with a tad bit of ich, I put them in the tank and they get better and there's no issue.

Same thing with plants going into a good home.


Regards,
Tom Barr