White cottony looking stuff

[tucker85]

It sure sounds like some kind of fungus. I use physan 20 once a month to prevent fungus and bacterial problems. I have heard that bacteria is especially bad for Phals.. It looks like you have a lot of strong roots so you must be doing something right. Repotting can't hurt but I would use physan 20 once a month for a few months. When I repot I remove the old pot and soak the roots in a bucket of water with a tablespoon of physan 20 per gallon before placing it in the new pot.

[dizzybliss]

Originally Posted by tucker85

It sure sounds like some kind of fungus. I use physan 20 once a month to prevent fungus and bacterial problems. I have heard that bacteria is especially bad for Phals.. It looks like you have a lot of strong roots so you must be doing something right. Repotting can't hurt but I would use physan 20 once a month for a few months. When I repot I remove the old pot and soak the roots in a bucket of water with a tablespoon of physan 20 per gallon before placing it in the new pot.

Thank you, could you please tell where you get your physan 20?

[tucker85]

I would recommend Orchids.com which is Normans Orchids in Calif.. They seem to have a reasonable price. I've bought many things from them and their service is very good. You can get it from Amazon.com also. I buy mine from Green Barn Orchid Supplies because I live near them but they're more expensive.

[dizzybliss]

Thank you

[kavanaru]

I agree with Tucker.. it soudns like fungi.. Listerine or neem oil will not help in this case! (listerine is good for bacterial infections, and Neem oil is an insecticide - of course you can use rthem as a preventive action too in your case!)

now, even though the pics are out of focus, and it is impossible to see the problems you are talking about, I can see your plants are potted in Sphagnum (and it looks pretty old and compact!).. I woul dre-pot the plants ASAP!! Sphagnum is very good for a lot of people, but many other have very bad luck with it (it's amatter of your growing conditions and watering habit!).. I would not recommend you to work with Sphagnum, butto change to a "standard" bark mix for orchids...

Are you really in Mexico? iuf yes, please note that you would probably have troubbles importing Physan... check with the evndor if they send to Mexico! (Note: I am not sure about per se, but Physan is prohibited in some countries and also - if I recall it correctly - in some states of USA). If you have problems getting Physan, a solution - which I like better and is even cheaper - is to buy fungicide for roses at any garden center. A fungiced based on Dodine and Penconazole is excellent and work systemic (it means that the plant will absorv it an dit will has an effect on the whole plant and for a longer period!)

[dizzybliss]

Thank you Kavanaru.

Right now I am studying in the US,

I will try Listerine because I already have some at home.

I have bought another medium to repot, Gulber Orchid Potting Mix.

[JennS]

Is this stuff kind of like a fuzzy looking mold? That is what I get growing in my pots. It is called snow mold and I have never found any complete "cure" for it. I use Physan, soak in it when I repot, tried listerine, tried hydrogen peroxide, fresh pots, fresh medium, etc. For me after awhile it comes back in some plants no matter what. I just try to keep a close eye and repot whenever I see it. This particular problem I have is of concern because the mold clings to the roots and stops moisture from getting to them leading to root loss, or eventual death.