When you have questions about mixing a fungicide and an insecticide, just call the companies that make the chemical and ask. These companies usually have really great customer service (as they are hoping you will call before you harm yourself). Many years ago, for the fruit trees, we called about Captan and Malathion and discovered that it was fine to mix them together to spray. But always call the manufacturers before mixing.
To prevent fungus issues long-term, be sure to give the orchids a little extra Calcium. I do this with all my plants, now, and haven't had any trouble, even when it rains for two weeks in a row with cool temperatures. Calcium works for the new growth as it helps to build healthy cells.
Preventative measures are not always a bad idea and often make sense.
1. When we were growing the fruit, we had to spray them with a dormant spray, a treatment to prevent the borer moth twice a season and then every two weeks with malathion and Captan regardless of whether we saw fungus issues or pests. If we did not do this...we had issues and could lose either the season's fruit or even the tree. Roses are another plant we treated on a schedule (systemic).
2. I always would treat certain plants I had in the past with systemic every fall when bringing them inside because, if I did not, they would quickly erupt with a designated pest which would quickly spread to all my plants. It was just the smart thing to do.
3. New plants. I have gotten infestations and fungus issues a few times because of new plants introduced to my collection. I do not treat new plants but maybe it would be a good idea.
__________________
I decorate in green!
|