Silver Thiosulfate (STS) Dry Powder Kit – Bulk Breeding

This kit is designed for those who will be consistently using STS for ongoing breeding projects.

The Kit Contains:

• Part A (Sodium Thiosulfate) pre-measured dry chemical pouch
• Part B (Silver Nitrate) pre-measured dry chemical pouch

This will produce two bottles of Stock solution that are 500ml each. These Stock Solutions are a concentrated mix and can be mixed at a 1:9 parts ratio with distilled water to create 10 liters of actual spray.

Once mixed, the stock solutions are good in an amber bottle or light-proof bottle in the fridge for up to 6 months. Once the Spray is mixed, it is also stored in the fridge and viable for up to 3 months, although most breeders prefer to use it within the first month.

Recommended Supplies

• Distilled or Reverse Osmosis Water
• 2 32oz Brown Glass Bottles
• 32oz Brown Glass Bottle w/Black Sprayer Top
• 60 cc/ml Syringe
• Surfactant
• A Cool Dark Place for Storage (Fridge)
• Nitrile Gloves
• 500ml/2 Cup Glass Mixing Container
• Small wire whisk
• Safety Goggles

Instructions

Basic Safety Recommendations
The following steps require careful measuring, along with basic chemical safety. It is strongly recommended you work on a flat surface with a plastic sheet or several layers of newspaper to protect it. Silver compounds can stain skin and surfaces brown to black, so gloves and safety goggles are recommended.
The mixed solution has a very low toxicity, but make sure you still wash up any spills well. Both of these solutions can be safely rinsed down the drain when followed by a large amount of water.

Measuring and Mixing Stock Solution “A”

• Fill your 500ml measuring cup with 500ml of distilled water
• Mix the Part A crystals into the 500ml of distilled water
• Pour the solution into a brown glass bottle and seal tightly
• Label the bottle “A” (Sodium Thiosulfate)
• Thoroughly clean the 500ml container and rinse with distilled water

Measuring and Mixing Stock Solution “B”

• Fill the 500ml container with 500ml of distilled water
• Mix the Part B crystals with the 500ml of distilled water
• Pour the solution into a brown glass bottle and seal it tightly
• Label the bottle “B” (Silver Nitrate)
• Thoroughly clean the 500ml container and rinse with distilled water

Keep Both “A” and “B” Solutions Cool and Dark!

Mixing and Diluting STS
The next step is to mix the two stock solutions together properly, creating the actual Silver Thiosulfate Solution (STS).
Before using the STS, it must be diluted to a weak solution for spraying!

• Measure 50ml of stock solution “B” with the 60cc syringe and gently squirt it in the 500ml glass measure
• Thoroughly rinse the syringe with distilled water, or change to a new syringe
• Measure 50ml of stock solution “A” with the 60cc syringe
• While whisking solution “B” in the glass measure, slowly squirt solution “A” into the glass measure in less than 30 seconds
• Pour the mixed solution into the 32oz brown glass bottle with black sprayer top
• Add 900ml of distilled water to fill the sprayer the rest of the way, leaving room for a little bit of surfactant
• Add 1 or two drops of surfactant. Test to see if spray lays down on the plant and doesn’t bead up to know if you need more surfactant.
• Thoroughly rinse all tools using more rinse water than usual

You now have a sprayer bottle with a 1:9 dilution of STS and water. You want to do your best to protect it from light and heat.