Fungus among us
My experience with fungal infections is that you may never have a problem, but when you finally do get some sort of fungus in your orchids, it has to be all out war to get rid of it. Partially because it can spread so fast, and partially because since the problem didn't exist before, it gets a good hold before we notice it. If orchids start to fail, it is probably some sort of fungal infection.
I recently had/have a rust fungus invasion in the dendrobiums that spread to some vandas in the same area. I have sprayed them twice a week, alternating between three different fungicides; one with copper, thiram and a systemic fungicide. The first two kill the fungus on the surface and the systemic is absorbed by the roots. I also cut off all the infected leaves (they don't ''come back'' so look lousy anyway). After a few days the remaining leaf stubs fall off as do the infected leaves still on the plants.
So although the fungus seems to be under control now, I have to be extremely vigilante to keep it that way. I was gone for 3 months and so the fungal spores really can take over.
Remember that treating with some systemic fungicides cannot be mixed with fertilizers. That one I spray all alone.
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