Snow Mold

[Leisurely]

I grow in a greenhouse but with the three weeks of heavy rain we have had, the air has been totally saturated with humidity. As a result, I am getting some snow mold in some of my pots. Short of re-potting, does anyone have a better cure. I have used RD-20 with poor results. Any advice would be appreciated.

[orchidsamore]

I have never heard theexpression snow mold before. I assume you meant the white powdery growth we sometimes see in the medium.

I have never found it to be a problem. I usually wait to my regular re-potting to remove it. It does not seem to affect the plants.

I do not think RD-20 is worth using on anything. It does not do much.

The danger in our rain this time of year is Phythion fungus (black rot). That is a constant fight.

[Leisurely]

Jerry, black spot fungus has not been a problem since I do grow in a greenhouse and the leaves do not get wet.

I googled snow mold before I submitted this thread but only got information on snow mold in lawns. I just googled again using Orchid Snow Mold and got information from the Fl. Dept. of Agriculture. Consider yourself lucky if you have never had it because it can definitely kill the plant if not controlled. Previously, I have just re-potted when I detected it but since I did not want to re-pot, I thought someone might have an alternative cure. The controls recommended by the Fl. Dept. of Agriculture are not available, I don't think so I expect I will just have to re-pot.

See link: http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/pi/enpp...hcirc/pp32.pdf

[orchidsamore]

Black rot runs rampant in greenhouses as well. It is not the water on the leaves but the moisture in the air breeding it and it is everywhere in the world.

I have seen snow mold but never had a problem with it. The fungicides we use for Phythion fungus probably control it.

That article is over 40 years old and the chemicals they recommend are probably no longer produced.

Fungicide are very adaptable to produce drug resistant strains.

Many of the fungicides used in the last 20 years are being discontinued because they no longer work. Cleary 3336 is fast becoming less effective and most Cleary products before 3336 are being discontinued.

We are fast producing super strains of diseases.

I use Companion brand of Bracillus bacteria which is a natural anti-fungicide. This month makes a full year of use and I will be comparing fungal problems this year with those of last year.

I am expecting to see a noticeable drop in fungal problems.

[Ray]

Put a tablespoon of cinnamon into a pint bottle of rubbing alcohol.

Wait 24+ hours

Filter out the sediment

Spray

[Leisurely]

Thanks Ray,
I will give it a try.

[Tropic]

Ray... do you spray the whole plant or just what appears to be the infected area? I have used Hydrogen Peroxide with some success.

[snow]

how about increased airflow?

[Ray]

I use that infusion as a general fungicide/insecticide, spraying whatever needs it. A water infusion - cinnamon "tea" - works equally well on fungi, but you start with boiling water and have to let it "steep" longer. Cinnamaldehyde is the active ingredient.

Tropic, I have used hydrogen peroxide as well, but once it has decomposed - oxidizing organic matter - it's done. With the cinnamon sprays, there is some residual action.

[Tropic]

Ray ... maybe a combination of the two would be the best choice. Would the cinnamon formula be the same with boiling a Tble. cinnamon bark bits / pint of water and let steep for a week? Strain and spray as usual.