HELP! Someone put mildew clothes in soaking orchid bark, can I use??

[Niki]

I am SO angry.

A repair came to fix my washing machine. I told him I was in the middle of repotting orchids in the sink and to be careful. He took the clothing that had clogged up the pump and hung it in my bucket, with and a corner of the water logged and mildew smelling strap into my orchid bark/root grow/water mixture. I don't know how long the clothing was sitting water logged, but it didn't smell very good at all. Only the thin strap touched the water the orchid bark was soaking in.

Can I still use this mixture, or do I need to resoak the chips for two more 24 hours cycles?

One concern I have is that one of my plants is growing mold on an aerial root.

I just purchased these two orchids on clearance and the store watered them the day I bought the. The dendrobium was fine, but the Phal was potted in sphag and was quite wet. I was planning on repotting last week, but I got the stomach flu and am only now feeling well enough to do anything (like repot the orchid).

So, can I use the bark or not?

Also, should I soak the roots of the moldy plant in some phylum before repotting?

I'm SO irritated

Niki

[Ross]

You should be able to soak the plant roots (well the whole plant as well) as well as the bark in Physan 20. It should take care of the mildew issues. Mix it using the strong mix for sanitizing benches, pots, etc. It shouldn't hurt your plant or the bark with only one treatment this strong. I've done it on mounted orchids and they are still doing well a year later.

[Niki]

Originally Posted by Ross

You should be able to soak the plant roots (well the whole plant as well) as well as the bark in Physan 20. Mix it using the strong mix for sanitizing benches, pots, etc.

Ross,

Great, thanks for the reply! How do you make the "strong mix for..." you mentioned above?

Thanks!

Niki

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Niki

Ross,

Great, thanks for the reply! How do you make the "strong mix for..." you mentioned above?

Thanks!

Niki

Label says: 1 tablespoon per gallon for "inanimate surfaces". Considering the normal mix for orchids is 2 teaspoons per gallon, this is not a huge difference. Thus, I think it will help your situation (especially the bark mix - actually not a bad practice for routine treatments.) The label says leave for 10 minutes, but I have mixed and used for several days with no visible problems on the plants. Sure does a number on mildew and mold though

[Ray]

I'd bet you don't even have to go that strong....