I think my Miltassia has some sort of rot (with pics)

[junklecat]

I ordered my Miltassia Darkstar over the internet, and it just arrived today. It was packaged with two other plants (separately, but with combined shipping) and they appear to be fine. It was mailed out on tuesday, and like I said it arrived today (thursday). I was really excited to open it, but when I inspected the roots there was a dark, sunken in spot on the base of a pseudobulb. The spot seems to go all the way through the pseudobulb because there is another larger spot on the other side. There is also another very small spot on one of the leaves, but I don't think they're related.

[Ross]

The small area on the pseudobulb looks like rot to me. I would be worried about this. The spot on the leaf doesn't look like anything I would worry about - perhaps a spot of rot, but more likely a spot due to water on leaf.

[junklecat]

What should I do??

[Ross]

When I get these "spots" I spray/drench with Thiomyl. It's a systemic rot curative. It seems to stop rot in it's tracks.

[junklecat]

where can I get it? And also should I avoid getting it on any particular place on the plant?

[Ross]

I got mine here: Thiomyl OSG23: Camp Lot A Noise Tropicals It's a wettable powder, which means it keeps for quite a while once wetted. I keep mine for approx a month, then make more. You drench the whole plant (leaves and potting mix) with the solution. Really wet the plant down till it squeaks. It will have white residue on the leaves if done correctly. Do both upper and lower surfaces of leaves.

[junklecat]

Should I wipe off the white residue or leave it there?

[Ross]

Doesn't hurt anything to leave it. It's just ugly.

[junklecat]

Thanks so much! All the people on orchidboard are so helpful...