The Orchid Garden

Fungicides

Question:

Niceman, do you use water that has been stored for a long time in an iffy container? Or does it come from somewhere that may be a source of bacterial or fungicidal infection? If this is a possibility use Physan in the water you give to your plants. What’s a Heliconia? Can’t find it in my books. Adrian Cooke. UK.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I grow in a cover slat house in Fort Lauderdale and have a teribly time with rot.  I use RD20 on a regular basis but that does not seem to prevent the lose of an orched here and there.  I also need to start some rhizomes and want to soak them in a fungicide before planting (can you tell I have lost some expensive heliconias to rot also). OFE  shows Banrot in large lots only for 74 dollars.  They also list a host of others but how does one know which is best – topical or systemic or both.    How about Thioml WP systemic – or Captan WP I need a lesson on all the fungicides listed. Thanks Richard

Response:

Hey Richard, The reason you see so many different fungicides for sale is because there are so many different types funguses and bacterium that may attack plants. No product gets them all, so you must match the product with the problem you are fighting.  For example, you are considering Banrot.  Banrot is a soil drench used primarily when fighting root related fungi.  Most likely it will be of little help in protecting your plants from some sort of leaf rot. You are lucky in that you live in an orchid growing region.  Your local extension office (or the one in southern Dade County) knows all about pests that attack orchids and can identify fungi and suggest effective curative and protective measures. Before you run out and buy commercial size bags of fungicides check out what is offered at the local garden center.  Many of the same products are offered in smaller sizes and weaker concentrations.  Check the labels, often the products are called by different names.  In addition, some of the products (such as those labeled for roses) are a cocktail of different fungicides that attack a very large spectrum of funguses. If you are not happy with the results you are getting with RD20, you might consider changing to a copper based topical such as Kocide or Phyton 27.  I think they are much more effective and offer a longer period of protection.  BUT, these copper based fungicides are MUCH more hazardous and required better protective equipment when applying.  The REI for Kocide is 2 days!!! Finally, we all lose plants now and then.  At the first sign of trouble, get the sick plant away from the rest of your plants and then go wash your hands.  It is funny and I cannot explain it, but I always seem to lose the plants I paid the most for or the one that is marked to take to judging on the next flowering.  I guess it is just part of orchid growing.  :) Important:  always consult the manufacturer’s label information prior to use of any chemical! Pat Brennan Brennan’s Orchids – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I grow in a cover slat house in Fort Lauderdale and have a teribly time with rot.  I use RD20 on a regular basis but that does not seem to prevent the lose of an orched here and there.  I also need to start some rhizomes and want to soak them in a fungicide before planting (can you tell I have lost some expensive heliconias to rot also). OFE  shows Banrot in large lots only for 74 dollars.  They also list a host of others but how does one know which is best – topical or systemic or both.    How about Thioml WP systemic – or Captan WP I need a lesson on all the fungicides listed. Thanks Richard

Response:

Mr. Brennan:        You seem to give such great advice about growing orchids and the extraneous problems/solutions that arise in doing so … I was wondering if you and I could e-mail some and get to know each other better as  I really need an orchid genius to help me as a friend and novice orchid grower.  Also, where are you located?  Perhaps I could visit sometime. Thanks! /Beth – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey Richard, The reason you see so many different fungicides for sale is because there are so many different types funguses and bacterium that may attack plants. No product gets them all, so you must match the product with the problem you are fighting.  For example, you are considering Banrot.  Banrot is a soil drench used primarily when fighting root related fungi.  Most likely it will be of little help in protecting your plants from some sort of leaf rot. You are lucky in that you live in an orchid growing region.  Your local extension office (or the one in southern Dade County) knows all about pests that attack orchids and can identify fungi and suggest effective curative and protective measures. Before you run out and buy commercial size bags of fungicides check out what is offered at the local garden center.  Many of the same products are offered in smaller sizes and weaker concentrations.  Check the labels, often the products are called by different names.  In addition, some of the products (such as those labeled for roses) are a cocktail of different fungicides that attack a very large spectrum of funguses. If you are not happy with the results you are getting with RD20, you might consider changing to a copper based topical such as Kocide or Phyton 27.  I think they are much more effective and offer a longer period of protection. BUT, these copper based fungicides are MUCH more hazardous and required better protective equipment when applying.  The REI for Kocide is 2 days!!! Finally, we all lose plants now and then.  At the first sign of trouble, get the sick plant away from the rest of your plants and then go wash your hands.  It is funny and I cannot explain it, but I always seem to lose the plants I paid the most for or the one that is marked to take to judging on the next flowering.  I guess it is just part of orchid growing.  :) Important:  always consult the manufacturer’s label information prior to use of any chemical! Pat Brennan Brennan’s Orchids

Response:

Filed under: Growing Orchids

Related Posts