Eradicating CHC mold.

[Izzie]

Unpotted the phal yesterday.
It was SICK.
The white fluffy mold was kind of gross.

What was more dissapointing was what looked like really healthy roots.
I squeezed them really gently, and they burst and green jelly/slime came out.

Not a good day in Izzie's spot in the orchid world.
So many beautiful roots ruined in less than a week.
I cut off everything that was squishy or gross, and plunked the thing into some peroxide for a few minutes.

It's been drying out under a fan ever since.

[cnarciso]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Cnarciso, what would you recommend for control?

Great replies guys, I appreciate it.

I already did. My vote goes towards peracetic acid. It lasts longer than hydrogen peroxide and is better at wiping out bad guys because it is not broken down by peroxidase. It's actually a better oxidizer than bleach too. I would mix some up and then soak the roots a few hours in a dilute solution and let them dry before repotting. Also, soak you CHC mix in an undiluted solution and rinse thoroughly.


You can make peracetic acid by mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar (acetic acid).

[cnarciso]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Unpotted the phal yesterday.
It was SICK.
The white fluffy mold was kind of gross.

What was more dissapointing was what looked like really healthy roots.
I squeezed them really gently, and they burst and green jelly/slime came out.

Not a good day in Izzie's spot in the orchid world.
So many beautiful roots ruined in less than a week.
I cut off everything that was squishy or gross, and plunked the thing into some peroxide for a few minutes.

It's been drying out under a fan ever since.

I'm sorry to hear about your roots, that's really disappointing... sad day indeed. Let's hope it sprouts some new ones soon!

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by cnarciso

I already did. My vote goes towards peracetic acid. It lasts longer than hydrogen peroxide and is better at wiping out bad guys because it is not broken down by peroxidase. It's actually a better oxidizer than bleach too. I would mix some up and then soak the roots a few hours in a dilute solution and let them dry before repotting. Also, soak you CHC mix in an undiluted solution and rinse thoroughly.


You can make peracetic acid by mixing hydrogen peroxide and vinegar (acetic acid).

Ah, I had seen that. Spaced it when I replied.

Thanks for the tips and well wishes.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by cnarciso

I'm trying to remember, I have not used it in a couple years but I think I used to use a 1:10 dilution.

Also, soaking your medium in an undiluted solution of this for a protracted period should help reduce mold and be safer than bleach (since acids are far easier to wash out of things than bases).

Could you clarify the ratio? 1 part H2O2 : 10 parts acetic acid?

And, would an "undiluted solution" be 1:1?

[Izzie]

Thought I'd update this, in case people use it as a reference.

I ended up soaking the bareroots in hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes.
Sprayed with brown listerine, and potted in Hydroton in a plastic pot- not s/h.

Couple days later, there was some strange white creamy stuff in one area, so the pot was heavily doused with hydrogen peroxide- pretty neat to see the white stuff dissolve away. Since then, no problems whatsoever.

The plant is still recovering, but the roots that are left are staying healthy.
I'm confident that it will bounce back easily, being a large plant with several leaves to take energy from if needed.