Black Rot - indoors, and freezing outdoors

[orchidsarefun]

I have a problem. I believe at least 2 of my plants have black rot. Problem is that all of the treatments are for outdoors or greenhouse use only - not indoor.
Does anyone have a solution that I can use indoors ?

[Ray]

I believe that an immersion in a 50:1 solution of the Inocucor Garden Solution, followed by a periodic spraying for the first few days may help. It does have a sour odor, but it goes away when it dries.

I know I've stopped the free sample offer, but if you'll place an order for a 500 ml bottle, I'll only charge you the actual shipping cost for a USPS small, flat-rate box.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

[orchidsarefun]

hmmm..........I actually have a sample from you that I will use then as a soak/drench/spray too.
Yep - that stuff stunks, luckily not for too long.

[Leafmite]

Prevention is very important. I have found that to help prevent it, make certain the plants have a constant source of calcium (oyster or egg shell will work), try not to get water on the leaves unless it can dry quickly, and pot the orchids on top of the medium with just the roots going down into the medium.
I lost quite a few orchids to Black Rot one year when I switched from watering all my plants with goldfish water to using rain water. I did not realize that orchid fertilizers assume that your tap water has enough calcium and thought I had a complete fertilizer. I was also potting my orchids a little too deep.
After the losses I suffered (and the despair that followed), I try to share what I learned (the hard way) with everyone. Good luck! I hope you save your orchids and NEVER see it again.

[cegha04]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Prevention is very important. I have found that to help prevent it, make certain the plants have a constant source of calcium (oyster or egg shell will work), try not to get water on the leaves unless it can dry quickly, and pot the orchids on top of the medium with just the roots going down into the medium.
I lost quite a few orchids to Black Rot one year when I switched from watering all my plants with goldfish water to using rain water. I did not realize that orchid fertilizers assume that your tap water has enough calcium and thought I had a complete fertilizer. I was also potting my orchids a little too deep.
After the losses I suffered (and the despair that followed), I try to share what I learned (the hard way) with everyone. Good luck! I hope you save your orchids and NEVER see it again.

Hmm... this had me concerned. I am very new to orchids. I bought some MSU fert from repotme for my fert choice, I just double checked & it contains 8% calcium. This should be enough to satisfy orchids? In my case I only have Phals right now, not sure if other types need more than 8%?

[orchidsarefun]

well I have used and use the spray mix. Rot doesn't seem to have accelerated. Hopefully the plants survive but will report back.
I am convinced that its a houseplant that is harbouring black rot if that is possible or is it even possible the rot can lie dormant for a year and 'wake up' when conditions are right ? I have never had it impact plants when they are outdoors, only after I bring them in.......and its the same 2 !

[Ray]

I suppose we should really separate black rot, itself, from a calcium deficiency.

Most elements can be moved from old parts of the plant to new ones. Calcium is not translocatable in plants, so they need a constant supply while growing.

If it is not provided, new growth will not have enough and will die. That's very commonly seen in cattleya leaf tips, and the tissue is black. Eventually that necrotic tissue will rot, but it is the death of it that is often misdiagnosed as being black rot.

True black rot, caused by pythium and phytophthora, is actually more brown than black in appearance (at least initially), and can-, but does not necessarily start at the leaf tips.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com