My experience with Fungicide

[Fredmax]

Hi all, I've gone missing for some time on these boards because I had to take a break from orchids, and am posting this so no-one else encounters what I did.

Last year in an effort to eliminate fungal loss of my plants I was advised to spray thoroughly my greenhouse with a product called Bayer Octave. I sourced this from a farm supplier for $350 AUD, smothered any suffering plants with the actual powder and sprayed the walls of my greenhouse and all plants with it, twice over the course of a month while using appropriate protective apparel.

As a result I couldn't walk into the greenhouse for the entire Winter without getting severe tinnitus and nerve reactions in my hands and legs. Needless to say like an animal near an electric fence I simply stopped going near my greenhouse and my orchids were left to fend for themselves, sadly around half of them didn't make it as many sprinkler heads got blocked and didn't get watered or plants needed to be moved as they couldn't handle the 6c nights. I couldn't list how many plants I've had to dispose and now my once overcrowded greenhouse has lot's of open space.

From now on I will only be using cinnamon for fungal issues and chemicals will be left for plants that can grow outdoors in open spaces as an absolute last resort. I still can't go near any paphs that I doused with the powder without getting tinnitus that lasts 3 days, and have resigned them do their best without me, I have now constructed a 40ft alternate greenhouse that I'll move forward with and try my luck in a large shade house area for plants that don't necessarily need an enclosure.

I just thought I'd post this for anyone else who's gambling with controlled chemicals to be careful as this is undoubtedly the biggest mistake I've made in my orchid growing journey. I'm trying to recover and hopefully there's no long term damage I've incurred, but still get bad tinnitus 18 months after spraying the greenhouse when I enter or even go within 2 metres of it, though I've noticed I can reduce the impact if I run the misting system prior, which is a challenge in the cold of Winter.

I'm also now very wary of Bayer products as Confidor gives me a similar reaction when handling or using it, and am only looking for natural solutions which while may not be as effective may permit me to sustain my orchid hobby without compromising my health.

Hope to be here more regularly again

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[estación seca]

I'm so sorry for your experience. Hope you recover. I agree growing plants isn't worth any health risk.

Preventive spraying against any disease is a bad idea. It kills beneficial organisms and selects for more resistant strains of harmful organisms.

But the most important reason is preventive spraying doesn't work. Pathogenic fungi are on and around our plants all the time. Fungus outbreak occurs when growing conditions are poor, weakening the plant, or temperatures and humidity are higher than necessary.

Not all fungi are susceptible to all fungicides. There aren't any magic bullets. The only way to use fungicides rationally is to know which fungus is causing a problem, and use a fungicide known to be effective for that fungus.

[Ray]

How much did you use? The label calls for 50-100 g/100L. Your description makes me think you used a lot more.

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by Fredmax

smothered any suffering plants with the actual powder

Sorry to hear you've had health issues, but really - you worked with the dry powder? Not something I would want to do, even with protective gear on. Hope you get clear of all symptoms soon.

[Fredmax]

I was advised by a leading grower I had a great deal of respect for, effectively, if it's available at a local hardware store it's useless and Octave was basically my only option for results.

I followed the exact box instructions due to the risks involved, the only reason I used the actual powder was because I was directed to do so by the grower to do so as per this picture they provided, I'm sure they meant well and in the interests of my plant's survival and view it as such. I just wasn't familiar with the potential consequences not being as experienced, I did wear a chemical mask, gloves and full protective gear.

I just can't imagine it would have such a sustained effect, turning my greenhouse into Chernobyl. I keep looking for some solvent that will neutralise it and even contacted the poison control people in the country for advice.

[Ray]

I strongly recommend that folks never - and I mean NEVER - deviate from the label when it comes to pesticides, for the health and safety of the plants and people.

I have been known to occasionally use the upper range of a product recommendation when a lower dose was recommended for the plant in question, but that's all.