Plant Preservative Mixture to disinfect roots that have the slightest bit of rot...

[KultureShock]

I was wondering i could get some opinions on whether rinsing the roots of my phal that has just the slightest signs of rot and yellow roots plant preservative mixture would be a good way to kill any infections on the plant.

I look forward to getting your on the matter

Best regards,
Kevin Disher

[Ray]

I think it's important to consider what it actually going on:

Healthy, living tissue does not rot. Weakened or necrotic tissues can be invaded by pathogens.

A dip or wash with a topical disinfectant may kill pathogens at the surface, but will do nothing for those that have already invaded the plant's cells, and certainly won't cause dead or damaged cells to recover.

Is it worth doing anyway? Sure. Reducing the population density of the pathogens improves the chances for recovery.

[keithrs]

As Ray pointed out... It will not kill the rot that is in side the tissue already. The best way I have found is to cut off the infected parts with a razor blade(I use a heated knife) and let the wounds dry. I also believe if your roots are rotting, your problems are most likely coming from your potting mix. I have found that Bacteria/Trichderma products have cut way down on my rot problems.

[tucker85]

I agree with both the previous posts. If you want a disinfectant, Physan 20 is one of the products commonly used. Since phals tend to be sensitive to bacterial problems I water all my phals with Physan 20 about once a month. It's not a cure-all but it does help control fungus and bacteria. Phals should also be repotted in fresh medium at least once every two years. I try to repot mine once a year.

[KultureShock]

Thanks for the the informative replies everyone, I wasn't thinking it would be a complete cure-all just that it might help more then not using it. The reason the roots are rotting is bad potting mix as you pointed out the orchid came in pure sphag so i just repotted it in the same sphagnum but used only about 1/4 of what was there and made it MUCH looser in the container. i am hoping this is enough to make a difference as i dont have any other media at the moment. Also i am going to check out physan 20 i think its cheaper then PPM is too and if you guys ahve tried it before it might be better to go that route.

Best regards,
Kevin Disher

[keithrs]

I have and do use physan. I still fell at a product like sub culture B to work much better that physan as preventative. Air movement around the plant is the best tho. I will add that you need to treat your potting media as well as your plant. It's a step that most over look.

[Stray59]

Merry Christmas everyone!
When I have a problem that requires the plant and potting mix be treated, I have found that it works best to really soak the potting media and roots. In order to do this I wrap my pot in tin foil and fill the pot with the treating solution - then I leave it for about 20 minutes to make sure it has soaked into every part of the root, potting medium, and since I use clay pots, the pot as well. I top off the pot after a few minutes as the fluid does get absorbed. Then I take the foil off, let it drain well and put it back in it's spot.
I have found that if I just rinse the plant and pot with the solution, sometimes it does not get into all the crevices and such.
Just another tip I have learned.
Again - Happy Holidays!!

Steve