Using povidone-iodine on orchids as a microbicide?

[orchidsamore]

First rot is a fungal infection and Betadine is a bacteria anti-septic. Chemically it probably would not work.

As a bacterial agent you are probably just as well off using alcohol or peroxide which would be safer and cheaper.

Also nothing will work as a preventative unless it is absorbed into the plant to work systemically.

Contact killers only work on what they touch.

For a hobbyist the only solution to rot is a pair of scissors and removal of the infected portion.

The best prevention is better hygiene. Allowing plants to dry properly after watering and good air circulation. An inexpensive fan will do more good than all the medicines sold.

[lais817]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

First rot is a fungal infection and Betadine is a bacteria anti-septic. Chemically it probably would not work.

Betadine is actually an anti-microbial; it gets bacteria fungi and some viruses. Thanks for the advice though, I just have a phal which I think might have a mild case of rot, and I wanted to get away with treating it on the cheap and without cutting it up, as it's only a smallish plant. Will post pics of it as soon as my camera is charged

[Peraj]

In Thailand they use Betadine as antimicrobial agent for deflasking orchids. I assume as Betadine works safe on fragile small orchids it should be fine on the bigger plants too.