Fast spreading back (fungus?)

[Discus]

Plant Health Products | A producer of easy-to-use, effective biological control products. look interesting re: "probiotics"
I seem to recall dynagro had a silica formulation that will be like agrisil. (protekt)

[BettyE]

I don't know the name of "what" this is that your orchid has (or had) but I had it on my Cattleya Ports of Paradise Emerald Isle. It started on the LEAVES, and started to go down to the roots. I took immediate action...cut off black part ( well below the black, into healthy green tissue ) sprayed with alcohol, then applied sulfur powder to the cut. All three are sprouting new growth...no more black stuff. The alcohol/sulfur trick works! Sometimes the most simple solutions are the best...at least for me... BettyE.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by orchidkaye

Thank you so much for the help. I'm going to get on this problem today. I couldn't believe how fast these plants deteriorated. It's been raining for days and days in Florida where I live. Probably didn't help anything.

I thought you might live in Florida when I saw the picture. Every year a couple of my cattleyas will come down with black rot overnight. The plant will be healthy and green in the evening and in the morning the whole leaf is black. I try to use fungicides every 3 or 4 weeks during the summer. I've used Thiomyl, Dithane and Subdue. If you can find Subdue, it's a very effective systemic fungicide that works well against black rot. It's very expensive but a member of our orchid society buys a bottle and sells a little to each member who wants some. I would say regular use of Thiomyl or Dithane will help also. I'm not crazy about Dithane because it leaves a residue on the leaves but it has been an orchid industry standard for years. Many people use Cleary's also but I've never used it. Always cut off any leaf that gets black rot and throw it away, and treat the plant with whatever fungicide you have.

[HighSeas]

OrchidKaye....Perhaps this link will help you.

Something to keep in mind....Phyton 27 is not an antifungal. It's bacterial. It is systemic however and since what your orchid has is bacterial, it should work well for you if you quickly apply the treatment.

Follow the label. Wear gloves. Or just see the dose on the chart included with this link.

http://www.staugorchidsociety.org/PD...ySueBottom.pdf

Argh. Sometimes I amaze myself....

Your plant has black rot. It's a fungal issue. But you can't use Phyton 27 since it treats bacterial issues. Look at the charts in the link....they will lead you to what you need. Good luck!

[BettyE]

I, personally do not use fungicides. Some of them really slow down the growth. Instead, I use one part bleach, to nine parts water. I use this mix on mold or fungus. If I need to, I spray it on the foliage, too. Leave it on for five minutes, then rinse. Been doing this for many yrs. Just my personal opinion...BettyE

My husband just informed me that the bleach does NOT get rinsed off! Been a loooooooog time since I had any mold or fungus, & didn't remember. He says that it will NOT hurt the orchids to leave it on after spraying. Since I always let him advise me, that is the way I must have done it!

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

Your plant has black rot. It's a fungal issue. But you can't use Phyton 27 since it treats bacterial issues. Look at the charts in the link....they will lead you to what you need. Good luck!

This is incorrect. Phyton 27 is most assuredly a bactericide AND a fungicide. I have a .pdf from the manufacturer right in front of me. I can't find the online link to it at the moment, but I've found a more detailed one on their site:

http://phytoncorp.com/downloads/P27_US_Label_2010.pdf

[Leafmite]

I had black rot a few years ago on my cattleyas. It spreads like crazy and pops up weeks later. It was, needless to say, a sadly educational experience. I would treat all your orchids with a systemic to prevent further cases. For me, it took out the plants so fast, I didn't have time to wait for the chemical to arrive and I didn't know if the copper-based stuff I use on the fruit trees was okay for orchids. I used surgery and isopropyl alcohol, then kept the orchids that weren't consumed dry and warm until they recovered (with further alcohol treatments). Good luck!

[HighSeas]

Originally Posted by Jayfar

This is incorrect. Phyton 27 is most assuredly a bactericide AND a fungicide. I have a .pdf from the manufacturer right in front of me. I can't find the online link to it at the moment, but I've found a more detailed one on their site:

http://phytoncorp.com/downloads/P27_US_Label_2010.pdf

You are quite right! I stand corrected. I looked at the chart however, and saw nothing by Sue Bottom with regard to it's effectiveness under fungal disorders.

Actually...I like the idea of bleech and water. Has anyone else tried it?

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by HighSeas

You are quite right! I stand corrected. I looked at the chart however, and saw nothing by Sue Bottom with regard to it's effectiveness under fungal disorders.

Actually...I like the idea of bleech and water. Has anyone else tried it?

Bleach and water is great for killing pathogens on the plant, as well as for sanitizing plant benches, pots and other surfaces, but for an advanced infection you will probably want to rely on a systemic (meaning it gets inside and circulates within the plant tissue) such as Phyton 27.

[rick84]

Originally Posted by orchidkaye

Pro-biotics for plants? Can you recommend a brand?

I would lobe to. The first two I do use and have for years now. Very happy!!

GENERAL HYDROPONICS "subculture"
EM-1 Effective Microorganisms | EM Bokashi | Microbial Inoculants "EM-1"
Peak Performan Hydroponics for Optimal Nutrition and Growth "Living Streams Pro-Biotic"

---------- Post added at 07:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 AM ----------

Also I would like to add that I prefer to use advanced nutrients microbial innoculants. I encourage all of you to look into the innoculants offered. There are 3 for Advanced Nutrients they are
1. voodoo juice--bact. inoculant
2. piranha-------fungal inoculant endo/ecto
3. tarantula-----bact. inoculant

Hydroponics, General Hydroponics, Hydroponic Nutrients & Supplies