fluffy white mold - cure?

[mexorchid]

I found my new baby cattleyas staying very wet around the roots and some roots turning black already. I slipped them out of the pot so they can dry better between waterings (the moss is so tight around them, that the package didn't fall apart but stayed the same shape so I left it like this). They sit on a grid on top of a water filled basin. I moved them inside an aquarium, top open for more humidity around leaves and added a weak light.

Not even 1 week later I see white fluffy stuff growing on their moss and their roots. I removed the aquarium immediately, not removed the water filled basin. I couldn't find physan20 in the shops here (if anybody knows of a shop in Quebec city, please let me know) I have read you can dip your plant in hydrogen peroxide (3%) - do you really mean dip the whole plant in the disinfectant????? It's not gonna harm the plant?

I'll also try to repot as soon as I can find some appropriate pots. I was thinking small clay pots and drilling some additional holes into the sides. Using again moss (they are small-medium seedlings) but very loose around the roots?

If you have any advice for me please post it!!! I'm really scared of killing them!

[Nexogen]

You can buy net pots from a hydroponic store, but I told you, buy a fan, it’s essential for air circulation and a good disinfectant accessible for you is VIRALEX or T36 (wide spectrum hospital grade) from Home Hardware or you can use direct H2O2 3% from Walmart. Do not water until sphagnum is not completely dry. If you have a heavy hand just spray sphagnum not submerge entire pot under water. Repeat, air circulation is essential.

If you want Physan 20, is $9 at Home depot (ZEP-Antibacterial Disinfectant & Cleaner with lemon)

1 Gallon

I think is better for you if you repot cattleya in LECA

[mexorchid]

i put a small fan but it's not worth mentioning, too weak. Didn't have time to get a bigger one and didn't expect mold to come within a few days
Today - home depot!
Leca? Hmmm interesting. They are really quite small still, were in 2" tiny pots. That's not too small?

[Nexogen]

If you want to exchange media, you can buy LECA from pet shop(Reptile Store) and clay pot 3”-4" from …

---------- Post added at 11:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 AM ----------

No the fan is no to week, you hand is very heavy

---------- Post added at 11:59 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:43 AM ----------

sorry

What I want to say is; I prefer sphagnum for cattleya seedling but no way for you.
The best way for you is LECA in clay pot, classic method not S/H.

[kindrag23]

Mine are in leca/charcoal/wood pieces/orchid moss. mine are slight little things, that are new hybrids in 2 inch pots as well. Good luck.

[Nexogen]

Good Lock

Laelia lobata var. alba

[mexorchid]

Thanks guys for your advice! Really appreciate it!

[AnonYMouse]

Nevermind, I just saw that you're talking about seedlings.

[mexorchid]

little update: finally finished repotting all of them. In my Home Depot they didn't have physan20 so I all dipped them in the H2O2. Since I had 12 I thought I try different media. Many are LECA only, some are bark & moss, some bark & LECA, bark & moss & perlite,...
All are in clay pots. I didn't find small ones with holes on the side so I got normal ones in the Dollarshop (3 for 1$!!!), cut side ventilations with the angle grinder and drilled bigger holes in the bottom. It's very easy, especially if the pot was soaked before!
I also found liquid Seawead stuff (brand "Acadie"). I read that's good for the roots? Should I - and when - use that? I thought of letting the media dry for the night and give them some tomorrow?
now keep your fingers crossed

[kindrag23]

wow looks great