Pseudobulb rot

[coli0157]

lol....thanks many people dont get the name. I am a graduate student in microbiology at UR. The bulb is brownish black and is mushy, its definately not an old bulb that is harmless, I think it needs to go but I have never just cut out a bulb before. I take a pic tonight before I cut it out.

[Mahon]

The backbulbs do die off after a while... but it sounds like you got some fungus or bacteria infection...

Ray, which is better? The Physan 20 or Phyton 27? I never have used either, but am interested in maybe trying some out...

-Pat

[ScottMcC]

I've not used phyton, but my understanding is that you need to pick which one is applicable to your situation. algae growth on pots is very well controlled by physan, as is minor fungal growth. but serious, invasive fungal infections need something more serious. again, physan is a topical agent, phyton is a systemic agent.

[Ray]

Scott is right - it's sort of like asking which is better to drive nail into a board - a hammer or a wrench. Both will work, but one is obviously better.

In the case of the mushy p-bulb, I'd remove it and sprinkle the wound with cinnamon to dry it up and prevent fungal (and even some bacterial) infection.

[canadacarol]

Cheryl, You are so funny! I don't know if they gargle it-you just never know.

I've been using Regular Listerine on my orchids for many years, even before they started inventing all those fancy schmancy flavours. I wouldn't want to try those! They might die of shock!

Just pour it undiluted in a spray bottle, and spray away-I spray the whole plants before repotting, and for spot-killing bugs, etc. on the plants. It never has harmed any of the plants but I wouldn't want to spray the blooms. It's very effective-the alcohol (which is in a dilute form), along with the various botanicals help.

Carol

[Gin]

I use straight peroxcide then cinnamon , after cutting the bulb off look closley at the cut if there is any discoloring in the center of the cut area remove more tissue until the area looks normal ,no discoloring .
Try to keep the cut dry .. Gin

[justatypn]

Thanks so much for the info, will definitely do this, now I am wondering with the alcohol will the annoying fungus gnats get a buzz and pass-out forever