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

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by 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)
I think is better for you if you repot cattleya in LECA

I'm not quite sure if the product quoted above is equal to Physan 20 and is suitable for orchids, especially given the added lemon scent.

Home Depot Zep Anti-Bacterial Disinfectant Customer Ratings & Reviews - Top & Best Rated Products

"ZEP Zep Anti-Bacterial Disinfectant
Zep Anti-Bacterial Disinfectant is designed specifically as a general non-acid cleaner and disinfectant for use in homes, hospitals, nursing homes and schools where housekeeping is of prime importance in controlling the hazard of cross contamination. It is formulated to disinfect hard, non-porous, inanimate environmental surfaces such as floors, walls, metal surfaces, stainless steel surfaces, glazed porcelain, glazed ceramic tile, plastic surfaces, bathrooms, shower stalls, bathtubs and cabinets. For plastic and painted surfaces, spot test on an inconspicuous area before use. May be used in the kitchen on counters, sinks, appliances and stove tops. A rinse with potable water is required for surfaces in direct contact with food. In addition, this product deodorizes those areas which generally are hard to keep fresh smelling, such as garbage storage areas, empty garbage bins and cans, basements, restrooms and other areas which are prone to odors caused by microorganisms."


I use a deluted Algae Kill (40%) bought at the spa department at Wal-Mart as recommended by the experienced growers.

I'd be interested to hear what other's thoughts are on the product due to the fact that Physan 20 is not available in Canada.

[Nexogen]

Originally Posted by Wild Orchid

I'm not quite sure if the product quoted above is equal to Physan 20 and is suitable for orchids, especially given the added lemon scent.

Home Depot Zep Anti-Bacterial Disinfectant Customer Ratings & Reviews - Top & Best Rated Products

"ZEP Zep Anti-Bacterial Disinfectant
Zep Anti-Bacterial Disinfectant is designed specifically as a general non-acid cleaner and disinfectant for use in homes, hospitals, nursing homes and schools where housekeeping is of prime importance in controlling the hazard of cross contamination. It is formulated to disinfect hard, non-porous, inanimate environmental surfaces such as floors, walls, metal surfaces, stainless steel surfaces, glazed porcelain, glazed ceramic tile, plastic surfaces, bathrooms, shower stalls, bathtubs and cabinets. For plastic and painted surfaces, spot test on an inconspicuous area before use. May be used in the kitchen on counters, sinks, appliances and stove tops. A rinse with potable water is required for surfaces in direct contact with food. In addition, this product deodorizes those areas which generally are hard to keep fresh smelling, such as garbage storage areas, empty garbage bins and cans, basements, restrooms and other areas which are prone to odors caused by microorganisms."


I use a deluted Algae Kill (40%) bought at the spa department at Wal-Mart as recommended by the experienced growers.

I'd be interested to hear what other's thoughts are on the product due to the fact that Physan 20 is not available in Canada.

ZEP-Antibacterial Disinfectant & Cleaner with lemon, active ingredient:
n-alkyl (60% C14, 30% C16, 5%C12, 5% C18) _dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride
n-alkyl (68% C12, 32% C14) dimethyl _ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride
Recommended or not by the "experienced growers" is exactly same, only diluted.

doesn't matter lemon scent

[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.