Anyone used Citrox on orchids (UK possibly Europe)

[RosieC]

Has anyone in the UK (and possibly Europe) used Citrox actually on Orchids.

It's discussed on some forums as being something UK growers can use instead of Physan but it's generally advertised for disinfecting tools and for disinfecting a greenhouse rather than direct on plants.

It does say on the advertising that it can be used in a greenhouse without removing the plants first.

I'm looking for something I can use to fight fungus infections on a couple of orchids and this is what I've come across.

One place I've seen it advertised did say it could be used to wash cuttings, bulbs and corms which makes me think I might try it on a spot test on a healthy plant, then if it's OK a spot test on one of the infected plants.

I'd just like to know first if anyone else has tried it for this type of use.

[WhiteRabbit]

[RosieC]

Seems no-one has. I did get an answer on a UK based facebook orchid/gardening page that it should be safe for use on plants.

I think I will give it a cautious try.

[lepetitmartien]

Rosie, that was me

There's nothing that should be aggressive to plants afaik, and the active part comes from citrus EH (limonene). I did a bit of homework on it some weeks ago. Not tested though, as it's not available in France afaik (or it's well hidden).

[RosieC]

Well I got a bottle at the garden center yesterday and I've done a spot test on one leaf of one plant. We'll see how it goes.

[lepetitmartien]

Great, don't spank me too much if it turns baaaad.

And note you can clean the area too with it.

[RosieC]

That's fine. I always test such things carefully anyway

I'll report back here with the results in a few days.

[RosieC]

Well the spot test showed no ill effects in the plant. No sign of change at all on the leaf that I did the test on.

I've now washed down the whole plant with it, including the leaves that were showing signs of fungus. In then flushed through the roots with plain rain water. This is the healthiest of the plants I want to treat so if this survives it I will do the other couple.