Orange balls/bugs on phal's rotting roots?

[ramonypony]

Here is another update. The plant is doing pretty good now. The leaves have stiffened back up and gotten back their solid green color. I hope the baby leaf isn't done growing because it's quite small compared to the others but it would be understandable considering the trauma it's been through. I repotted it into a slightly bigger plastic pot... it's not a clear pot, which bugs the living daylights out of me but it was the best size I had for it. It was drying out super fast and I kept forgetting to water it so I had to pot it up.

There is just one thing that doesn't look good, there is a weird brown ring on one of the roots and I'm not sure what it is, but the rest of that root looks healthy and is still growing so I'm not too worried.

[WhiteRabbit]

Looks good!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Nexogen

From (Fusarium solani: An Emerging Fungus in Chronic Diabetic Ulcer

"Fusarium species, a mold which causes disease mainly in plants has emerged as pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Fusarium is known to cause keratitis, onychomycosis, and endophthalmitis. Fusarium solani, is the most common isolate from clinical specimen. Here is a case, a 65-year-old male with type II diabetes mellitus since 10 years presented with a large ulcer on the left leg since 8 months following trauma. The fungal culture of the escar of the ulcer isolated a mold, Fusarium solani. The patient's leg was amputated and was treated with amphotericin B. The patient was discharged on healing of the stump. This case gives emphasis on fungal culture in chronic diabetic ulcer."

I've seen this orange molds on my phals before.
I did not think much of it, but wow~

Thanks for sharing this information.
I did not know that a plant pathogen can hurt humans.

I wonder if the person mentioned in the article had orchids in the house. scary.

[lorenaguti]

Looks so healthy...Good job!!!

[Suzanne17]

Infectious diseases nurse here...well, now I work in pediatric oncology but used to work in ID. Anyway, molds and fungi are one of the most lethal pathogens for oncology patients and fusarium is one of the worst. It's why we tell cancer patients to never garden- so many molds and fungi in the soil.


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[NYCorchidman]

Oh, wow~ How come I never heard of fusarium, a fungal organism that attack plants, going after humans before?

This is really good to know!

Would wearing a mask help??

[ramonypony]

Originally Posted by Suzanne17

Infectious diseases nurse here...well, now I work in pediatric oncology but used to work in ID. Anyway, molds and fungi are one of the most lethal pathogens for oncology patients and fusarium is one of the worst. It's why we tell cancer patients to never garden- so many molds and fungi in the soil.


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Yeah, that makes sense. I grew up in the dirt so I like to think I have a pretty good immunity built up to these kinds of things. I don't have any diseases or cancers that I know of so I think I'll be okay. I probably should have tossed the plant to begin with but I just won't give up that easily to a fungus. I hope I got rid of it all.

[Suzanne17]

If you have a good immune system- nothing to worry about. But I always wear gloves when I garden or work with plants and wash my hands very well.


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[ramonypony]

Just thought I'd give an update on this phal. It has rebloomed after about a year since I encountered the fungus and cut the spike. It has a nice big leaf jump. I'm very happy with the roots on it, it drinks a lot and dries fast.

I guess I repotted it since the last update, though I don't really remember doing it-- oh yeah, once I got a small enough clear pot I put it in that because I couldn't stand to not see the roots.

[sweetjblue]

Hey, that's great to hear!!! Those roots look great now!!
Glad I was able to help you out even if it was only in identifying the problem!


Judi