Preemptive or prophylactic use of fungicide

[DirtyCoconuts]

I have limited experience with any chemicals in plants and I have been trying to learn about this product.

I was wondering if anyone uses a product as a precaution rather than reactive to a problem? Is it harmful to the orchid? Anyone do that and if so, with what product and at what strength?

[WaterWitchin]

What product are you talking about DC?

[thefish1337]

I prophylactically apply Inocucor/Garden solution. I don't worry about rots and I haven't had any in years. Many professional growers use insecticides/fungicides at a regular interval regardless of whether they see issues or not. This is the best way to approach any disease/pest management organic or conventional. Why? Waiting to treat your plants for disease or pests AFTER they already occur will be much more labor and resource intensive.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i found this table on the St Augustine OS page ( great resources there BTW)

and it does not name the products only the type and then it lists all conceivable products lol

i cant copy and paste but here is the link

https://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/O...ySueBottom.pdf

i liked the idea of the preventative approach but i don't want to harm any plants



i am also using the Inocucor about monthly, probably a bit more than once a month

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

i found this table on the St Augustine OS page ( great resources there BTW)

and it does not name the products only the type and then it lists all conceivable products lol

i cant copy and paste but here is the link

https://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/O...ySueBottom.pdf

i liked the idea of the preventative approach but i don't want to harm any plants



i am also using the Inocucor about monthly, probably a bit more than once a month

if you're using inocucor, regular application of fungicide is going to reduce its effectiveness. are you still experiencing rots?

[WaterWitchin]

Okay, I was thinking you were talking about a particular fungicide, not in generalities. The only preventative/prophylactic I've ever used is Inocucor.

I don't consider things like Daconil, Captan, Physan, Aliette, Subdue, etc as a preventative. To me, that's like giving your kid an antibiotic to keep them healthy. No bueno, in my book. I don't do that in my yard, my pond water features, or with indoor plants.

I definitely don't believe in using peroxide. We did a thread about it a ways back, and I'll see if I can find the discussion. Okay, here 'tis:
SaraJean asked a question about peroxide...

---------- Post added at 11:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 AM ----------

Originally Posted by thefish1337

if you're using inocucor, regular application of fungicide is going to reduce its effectiveness. are you still experiencing rots?

Shouldn't use Inocucor and a fungicide at the same time. One's more of a micro-organism/beneficial bacteria thing, and the other is a chemical action. I'm not DC, but if I remember correctly he just recently started using Inocucor. I think he's discussing more preventative, but I don't want to put any more words in his mouth. As a lawyer, I'm sure he already has plenty of his own.

---------- Post added at 11:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 AM ----------

I've been gardening and keeping houseplants and landscape plants for over fifty years. I can count on probably one hand the time I've used a fungicide. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but I sure wouldn't need to take of shoes and socks to keep counting. I do like micro-organisms, beneficial bacteria, etc., and try to utilize those sort of things rather than a chemical whenever possible.

I'm not saying using fungicides is a bad thing. I just personally don't believe in using any chemical as a preventative.

[Leafmite]

Use more Calcium to prevent fungus issues. Calcium strengthens cell walls which help plants resist fungus and bacterial infections. If you get more rain, use more Calcium as Calcium easily washes from the medium.

I try to give all my orchids a steady supply of Calcium and during summers where it has been cool and rainy for weeks at a time, my orchids have been fine, even the Angraecums (they tend to be more prone to fungus issues than other orchids). The times I have lost orchids from fungus issues is when I have been negligent on the Calcium. Hope this helps!

[DirtyCoconuts]

Originally Posted by thefish1337

if you're using inocucor, regular application of fungicide is going to reduce its effectiveness. are you still experiencing rots?

I don’t have any rot or fungus. I am looking to make sure it stays that way lol

---------- Post added at 01:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:30 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Okay, I was thinking you were talking about a particular fungicide, not in generalities. The only preventative/prophylactic I've ever used is Inocucor.

I don't consider things like Daconil, Captan, Physan, Aliette, Subdue, etc as a preventative. To me, that's like giving your kid an antibiotic to keep them healthy. No bueno, in my book. I don't do that in my yard, my pond water features, or with indoor plants.

I definitely don't believe in using peroxide. We did a thread about it a ways back, and I'll see if I can find the discussion. Okay, here 'tis:
SaraJean asked a question about peroxide...

---------- Post added at 11:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:14 AM ----------



Shouldn't use Inocucor and a fungicide at the same time. One's more of a micro-organism/beneficial bacteria thing, and the other is a chemical action. I'm not DC, but if I remember correctly he just recently started using Inocucor. I think he's discussing more preventative, but I don't want to put any more words in his mouth. As a lawyer, I'm sure he already has plenty of his own.

---------- Post added at 11:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 AM ----------

I've been gardening and keeping houseplants and landscape plants for over fifty years. I can count on probably one hand the time I've used a fungicide. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but I sure wouldn't need to take of shoes and socks to keep counting. I do like micro-organisms, beneficial bacteria, etc., and try to utilize those sort of things rather than a chemical whenever possible.

I'm not saying using fungicides is a bad thing. I just personally don't believe in using any chemical as a preventative.

Words, I got words. Lol

Correct and thank you. That is very helpful information.

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Use more Calcium to prevent fungus issues. Calcium strengthens cell walls which help plants resist fungus and bacterial infections. If you get more rain, use more Calcium as Calcium easily washes from the medium.

I try to give all my orchids a steady supply of Calcium and during summers where it has been cool and rainy for weeks at a time, my orchids have been fine, even the Angraecums (they tend to be more prone to fungus issues than other orchids). The times I have lost orchids from fungus issues is when I have been negligent on the Calcium. Hope this helps!

Thanks leafmite. I use k-lite at 1/3 tablespoon/ 2 gallons daily so I believe it should cover the calcium needs adequately. I am really just looking to “beef up” the plants. Seems like the incocour is the way to go

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Use more Calcium to prevent fungus issues. Calcium strengthens cell walls which help plants resist fungus and bacterial infections. If you get more rain, use more Calcium as Calcium easily washes from the medium.

I try to give all my orchids a steady supply of Calcium and during summers where it has been cool and rainy for weeks at a time, my orchids have been fine, even the Angraecums (they tend to be more prone to fungus issues than other orchids). The times I have lost orchids from fungus issues is when I have been negligent on the Calcium. Hope this helps!

What do you use for a calcium supplement Leafmite? Just curious. Back when I grew in bark, I used crushed eggshell. Now since I do all SH, I don't. I went to 1T of blackstrap molasses every month or two.

[Ray]

Inocucor Garden Solution is a probiotic containing live, beneficial fungi and bacteria. They predate pathogens and secrete antibiotics into the medium to prevent outbreaks of others. They also secrete plant growth stimulants to a limited degree.

The fungi will send their hyphae throughout the medium, where they act to "extend the reach" of the plant's root system, and can sequester salts to prevent burning.

The use of any bactericide, fungicide or disinfectant will kill the beneficial microbes.