Phyton 27 -vs- Phyton 35

[HighSeas]

I was recently online shopping for the best price I could find on Phyton 27 when I ran across several vendors who had Phyton 35 and called it the new "substitute" for 27.

Both are bactericides. Both fungicides. Both systemic.

I live in a highly humid environment....where it is APPARENTLY NEVER going to quit raining. I'd like to have on hand something systemic. That said....

What is the difference between the two? If it's the "substitute" then I would assume that something has changed. (Sometimes for the better...sometimes not)

Does anyone know?

Also...does anyone have a good lead on better prices?

[Jayfar]

First I'd heard of it, but yes there it is on the manufacturer's website with an FAQ comparing the two.

FAQ | Phyton 35

and another FAQ on Phyton 27:
FAQ | Phyton 27

[Ray]

Phyton 35 is Phyton 27 with the 1.25% picric acid removed. It is removed so the product can be used on food crops, as the picric acid is toxic to people by all entry modes.

Handled properly, and diluted appropriately, there is not enough in the product to be concerned about, so I would think they could be used interchangeably.

Personally, I avoid copper sulfate-bearing fungicides, as it can be out-and-out toxic to some less-hardy orchids. I treat topically with Physan or Zero-Tol/Oxidate (same chemical), and if I HAVE to have a systemic, I go with Cleary's 3336WP.

[HighSeas]

Thank you! That's interesting. I have wondered about the Copper based products and have read that there are particular orchids that do not respond well to them.

Ray...would you mind sharing with me the criteria you would use for HAVING to have a systemic? Thank you for letting me pick your brain!

[Ray]

If the plant has internal fungal infections, a systemic is necessary - unless you were already planning to throw the plants away.

Topicals will knock back the population in the local environment, and may totally cure surface molds and mildews, but once the infection has gone systemic - so much so that cutting off the infected area would be detrimental to the life of the plant - it's the big guns or bye-bye.

[NYCorchidman]

I read that copper based chemicals are not supposed to be used on dendrobiums.
How about paphiopedilums? anyone knows?
Some of my paphiopedilums are now showing up some strange symptoms and I would like to use systemic.

Does phyton 27 or 35 have copper in them?

[HighSeas]

Yes...they do have Copper Sulfate. And you're right, you can't use them on Dendrobiums.

Good question though....I'm interested in that answer myself! Can you use these on Paphs?