Microfungal Outbreak - Orchid Board

quiltergal · #1 07-16-2011, 12:47 PM

So I started noticing these weird spots about a month ago on my Phals. I also had one Den that had black spots and droppped every last leaf. Per the Sticky link above it appears to be a micro fungus. It is not mites. I have already checked. So I am quarantining these and breaking out the Cleary's as that is the only fungicide I have on hand at the moment. I am also sterilizing trays in bleach water. It's beginning to spread quickly now that warmer weather has arrived. I'll keep you posted.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 07-16-2011, 02:07 PM

Try a 15 - 30 min bath in potassium permanganate. There is more information on the web on how to use it.

I use it to disinfect my new arrivals that look diseased.

Ray · #3 07-17-2011, 12:29 PM

That first photo looks like mesophyll collapse, which most often results from cold water hitting warm tissues. The others are, indeed, and infection of some sort.

quiltergal · #4 07-17-2011, 03:27 PM

Ray, they all start out like picture number two, progress to picture number one, and finally like picture number three.

I'm always careful to water with lukewarm water, and dry the leaves before putting them back. At first I thought it was because they got too cool (crazy rainy spring), and thought mesophyll collapse also. Then I started paying more attention and as the temps got warmer it started spreading like wildfire so I started watching the progression.

Do you think Cleary's will help, or should I be trying something different like Philip suggests?

Call_Me_Bob · #5 07-17-2011, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

That first photo looks like mesophyll collapse, which most often results from cold water hitting warm tissues. The others are, indeed, and infection of some sort.

that could be my problem!

good luck quiltergal

Leafmite · #6 07-17-2011, 08:39 PM

Good luck!
Leafmite

quiltergal · #7 08-23-2011, 01:45 AM

Thought I'd update you all on my problem. I drenched all plants in my collection and foliar sprayed as well with Cleary's 3336 WP, and repeated 7 days later. The systemic anti-fungal seems to have stopped it in it's tracks for the time being. I do not see any sign that it is progressing. The smallest plant lost all but one leaf but it is rapidly growing a new one which appears so far to be unaffected. All the new growth on even the worst of them seems OK. I've also been disinfecting my drip trays with Physan 20 for good measure. Keep your fingers crossed!

camille1585 · #8 08-23-2011, 03:37 AM

I really hope that that was the end of it, it must be so terrible to watch something like that spread through the collection. I'm really happy that the treatment worked!

RJSquirrel · #9 08-23-2011, 05:47 AM

good luck there

I had trouble last year and it broke me down to a grown man being reduced to tears by a fungus.
Never knew this until just today but I have been pre-soaking my moss that I use in copper sulfate and hydrated lime mixed with some water and its called "Bouillie Bordelaise"...been used for over 100 years in grape vineyards for fungus and I have had no trouble this hot season with any fungus like I did last year..

Just saying

...stop it before it starts

I thought I had discovered something and its been used for a century, slow damn internet.

camille1585 · #10 08-23-2011, 06:06 AM

Bouillie Bordelaise is extremely common in France, basically every one who has a yard/garden has some. It's an old stand by treatment that works excellently to prevent infections (but not so good to cure). I spray my tomato plants with it when the weather starts to get wet+ warm, helps avoid the all too common Phytophthora infections. Only thing is to avoid spraying it on hot days, the copper then becomes toxic to the plant.