Fungus Problems

[William]

Last year during the summer rains I had a terrible time with fungus. My leaves were rotting, I was losing plants and I was going crazy. This year I was more on top of things and I tried Banrot and Thiomyl but I'm still getting yellowed leaves and some black leaves which eventually rot and fall off. Should I cut away any bad foliage and keep the area clean of diseased leaves? Does fungus come no matter what? Any help out there? I live in Miami, Florida and my plants are outdoors under screening.

[camille1585]

Cleaning away diseased leaves in the area is always a good idea to stop spores from spreading. But if the problem is recurrent, you should probably look at your culture first, to identify the causes. Treating works, but if you don't get to the underlying issues, it'll come back.

I don't really see what you mean that they are outdoors under screening. Are they protected from rain?

Do you have pics of the rot?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I agree with Camille. I'm currently having this problem with some of my Pleuros. It turns out, the diseases were caused by cultural issues. Usually there's a problem with the root system. Maybe root rot or no roots due to over potting.

Check the roots, unseen root problems are usually the cause for many seemingly disease caused issues.

[William]

No they are in a screened patio but rain gets on them. The screen just helps a little with keeping the sun from cooking them. By culture do you mean the potting media? My plants are in cocunut husks mixed with charcoal and lava rock. King may have hit on something when he mentioned overpotting. Some of them are in pots that may be too large. I'm just finding out now that some like being crowded. Some of the ones I've repotted have had some root rot as well.