How often do you use a fungicide??? - Orchid Board

GloriaGatti · #1 01-28-2009, 12:07 PM

Based on good info I got from this forum, I used Ortho "RosePride" 3 times at 10-day intervals for a bad fungus problem on my Phals. It seems to have stopped the fungus spread.

But now - how many times should I use it???
The instructions on the package say to apply three times (which are now done).

Should I continue - and if so how many times.

Thanks,
Gloria

OrchidLover40 · #2 02-02-2009, 08:13 AM

gloria: You should now switch to Orchid Pro, (http:Turf Pro USA - Home) using only 1-2 oz per gallon of water and use it foliarly 3 times per week or so. You can use it everyday, but, 3 X per week will keep them healthy, happy, and pest free, especially scale and mealybugs. Its got all the trace elements, minerals, humic and fulvic acids for strength and vitality, and also iron molecules that are small enough for orchids to use foliarly. It controls fungus incredibly well, and I would have told you to use it for the original inoculation, but, definitely you will benefit from the switchover.

GloriaGatti · #3 02-02-2009, 10:17 AM

Thanks OrchidLover, I'll do that. They are beginning to look better, and I want to make sure they continue to recover. Gloria

cirillonb · #4 02-02-2009, 10:46 AM

If you have had a bad infection with fungus and if this is recurrent, consider whether you have adequate air circulation on these plants. As much as I love poisons, I would be reluctant to have to repeatedly treat a plant and would look toward some preventative.
Nick

camille1585 · #5 02-02-2009, 11:55 AM

Normally spraying three times should take care of the problem.
I agree with Nick, from here on prevention will work better than continuous spraying. Also, preventative spraying has the potential to create resistant fungus strains, making treatments ineffective when you do have a serious problem. Good ventilation and avoiding moisture on the plant (like misting) should keep the plants healthy

GloriaGatti · #6 02-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Hi Nick and Camille, Thanks for your help.

I recently added circulating fans to the orchid shelves - so I should be OK there. The fungus started late Nov - just about the time I brought the orchids in for the winter. Since I've sprayed three times there hasn't been any further spread AND the infected plants are doing better. I'll wait and see what develops.

Would spraying with Cinnamon be a good idea as a preventative?

Thanks again,
Gloria

camille1585 · #7 02-02-2009, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GloriaGatti

Would spraying with Cinnamon be a good idea as a preventative?

Sounds like a good idea. I never tried to spray it on, although I have read that it works pretty well.

cirillonb · #8 02-02-2009, 04:03 PM

I've said this here before, but, although I use cinnamon for wound dressing I still consider it a bit of witchcraft and have not seem much reference to it being sprayed as a preventative. That being said, the supplies vendor RePotMe has a solution he sells that contains cinnamon and into which he suggests putting a cinnamon stick. I don't know what it is supposed to kill and just because someone sells in doesn't make it less witchcraft albeit probably harmless. [notice tongue in cheek]
Nick

GloriaGatti · #9 02-02-2009, 08:29 PM

Hi Nick & Camille, Thanks for the good advice.

I have also used cinnamon for wound dressing but never as a spray.

I followed a link from this board to First Rays' Home Remedies that gave quite a few "home made remedies" - many of which may be hocum. One of the recipes however, is for a cinnamon infusion that can be sprayed either in a water or alcohol base.

I might try it - if nothing else - it should make my studio smell nice for a while.

Thanks for all your help.
Gloria

cirillonb · #10 02-03-2009, 09:58 AM

with all respect to Ray who has been a major source of information for me these formative years, most of what we do for/to our orchids when it comes to "green" techniques lack any "scientific" basis as in controlled studies, etc. If it doesn't damage or kill the plant and the problem goes away or doesn't come back we are willing to make the leap of faith that says what we did was the reason. That ain't necessarily so.
I have read some potentially dangerous (to plants) things recommended here with little background except "it worked for me" or for others.
I really don't want to be controversial and will not make further comments on this thread, but these are my observations and opinion.
Nick