Possible crown rot on Kangaroo Paw/Anigozanthos

[hannabea]

Hi all,

I have received great help here with my orchids so now I will se if anyone has advice about my Kangaroo Paw.

I recently bought a potted Kangaroo Paw, a smaller hybrid. When I came home, I saw what I suspect to be a little crown rot. I repotted it in a terracotta pot, with sandy soil, leca beads on the bottom and barks on top (not sure if that makes any difference but that's what I read other people do.

It only has one flower stalk left (I cut down the others after they finished blooming), but new growths and leaves are emerging.

Can I dig it up again and remove the crowns that have started rotting? I'm a little afraid it will spread because it looks like it has already, but also about messing with the new growths if I do replant it again.

Otherwise the plant is doing well and at least I don't think it's overwatered.

Thanks!

[Leafmite]

I have never grown this but, googling it out of curiosity, I found this.

Growing Kangaroo Paws: What Does A Kangaroo Paws Need To Live

[hannabea]

Thank you for the link Leafmite! I have read it and many other websites and forums, and I think I have provided the right conditions for it. It is a really beautiful and cool looking plant so I certainly hope it will survive in my care.

[Leafmite]

Can you cut away the bad part and treat with Isopropyl alcohol to stop the infection without weakening the support for the new growth? I believe this is a tuber or bulb and, thus, the new growth will need the stored energy to thrive. Do you have a picture of the issue?

To help the new growths resist the rot, try adding a little calcium. Sometimes plants are more prone to fungus infection due to not getting enough Calcium when growing. I learned this long ago with the herbs. I have a bunch of plants I grow in the home and I add calcium even to the ones that like a lower pH (which means I need to compensate). I find it helps them resist fungus issues even in lower light conditions.

[estación seca]

They are full-sun plants that don't live long, and rot easily if cool and wet. My guess is yours has been too wet and didn't get enough sun.

Kangaroo Paws - Anigozanthos - Australian Plant Information

[hannabea]

Thanks for your replies. I have attached two pictures. I will probably repot it with fresh soil and try to cut away the damaged parts. I will also look into calcium and isopropyl alcohol. I do know it likes a more acidic environment.

Like you say estación seca, I suspect it has been given too much water at the flower shop. I have had it on my balcony which faces south west, so it gets a lot of sun and good air circulation.

I am suspecting it might be ink disease, but I am not entirely sure yet.

[kg5]

A lot of the new hybrid do not get black spot which is the most common fungus trouble they have.

It is totally critical to have sandy very well drained soil.

They grow as clumping plants and some of the new hybrids are very fussy about getting spot on water needs other wise they rot(crown rot) or dry out to much and die.

The original plant has a lot going for it accept for black spot. They seem to be the hardest.

The new hybrid colours makes for very a spectacular flowering displays planted in mass.

Have been growing them for my son's landscaping business. A lot of the hybrids are all tied up with patent restraints for growing the plants on to sell the multiples.

Have spent a lot of time with our native plants. It is very refreshing to get into orchids, tillandsia's and lotus.