Is this root rot in my Phal?

[AussieVanda]

Hey mate.

Is the plant worth it?

My suggestion - take plant out of the moss, you don't need it where you are and in continuously high humidity areas it becomes more trouble than what it is worth. Try just plain mounting it bare root.

As for medication, mancozeb wont help much with root rot. I use yates brand anti rot phosacid, very good results particularly as a prevention treatment before wet season strikes.

[Tukatuka]

Hi AussieVanda,

It's cheap, but I would like to try what I can for it. Mounting it bare root - no medium? Just the plant in a claypot? How do I water it? Can I plant it in just charcoal?

Ok, will try to find that brand here. Any other brand or actuve ingredient worth getting?

Thanks


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[AussieVanda]

Active ingredient is phosphoric acid. Make sure it's not used near stuff that contains copper.

When I talk about mounting, I mean basically tying it to a slab of timber, cork, tree fern, tree fork etc etc. I use a length of stocking which I untie or cut away when roots have taken to the mount.

[Tukatuka]

Ahh...ok, so you mean to take the plant, and without any media place it on a tree branch and tie it in place with a stocking? Does it need coconut husk or fibre between orchid and the tree branch?

Does it matter if it gets rained on? I worry about crown rot...thanks


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[AussieVanda]

Yes sort of. If you had a healthy plant I'd say go your hardest, phals grow really well on muraya. In your case you need to control it's environment so I suggest just use smaller pieces of timber for example that you can move around to keep under some protection.

[Tukatuka]

Sorry, I am a bit lost. What is muraya? If we can't find timber can I use coconut husk?


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[RHF]

I agree - it is fungicide time. I also agree with the recommendation of neutralized phosphorus acid - the brand I use is fosphite (1/2 tbs per gallon). It has several advantages. It is a naturally occurring compound, it is systemic and is used as a drench (just pour it into the pot). It is high effective against chytid fungi (water molds). It, however, is not specifically listed for use with orchids (Fosphite® is a registered, reduced risk fungicide for use on agricultural food crops, ornamentals and turf for the control of Phytophthora, Pythium and Downy Mildew). As it breaks down it becomes the 1st P in N-P-P of fertilizer (depending on how it is neutralized it will also contain the 2nd P or calcium - also important plant nutrients - just avoid any that is neutralized with sodium, which orchids hate)

[Tukatuka]

Ok RHF, thanks for the confirmation. But I don't understand the 'neutralised with sodium' part. Am I supposed to avoid Sodium Phosphate then?


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[AussieVanda]

Sodium phosphate is used in baking.

Yates is potassium phosphite at 20%. Muraya by the way is just a type of tree. Research orchid mounts and you should get a few ideas. I advocate mounts as it promotes good hygiene and drainage around the roots.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Please read this sticky:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

You will understand Phalaenopsis better this way.