The Orchid Garden

Benomyl

Question:

Yes, in fact about half the commercial orchid growers in the US were wiped out by Benlate (Dupont’s tradename for Benomyl) a few years back. It was apparently a contaminated batch although since there are still lawsuits pending over the incident the facts are still hard to come by. Just about wiped out at least one major clematis grower too.                                             -Sue Sanders            

There was an article about this in Time Mag. (I think) about two weeks   ago.  Dupont claims the cross contamination problem between chemicals was   solved but apparently claim in court that there was no problem. Go figure!

Response:

I have had no problems with Benomyl, wettable, 50%.   I know there were problems with it previoulsy but I THINK it may have been a bad batch and not the Benomyl.  There was on nursery in Hawaii that was completely wiped out using it. Not much of a recommendation.

Response:

Since there is some question on safety, why take a chance when there so many other good fungicides. To name a few, Aliette, Banner, Chipco 26019, Clearys 3336, Domain, Subdue, and Zyban. Fred Bergman

Response:

Since there is some question on safety, why take a chance when there so many other good fungicides. To name a few, Aliette, Banner, Chipco 26019, Clearys 3336, Domain, Subdue, and Zyban. Fred Bergman

You mention Domain;  what the scientific name of domain and who sells it. Some members of the Phal society had recommended it for the Phals strange disease of cell collapse caused by fungus, virus, bugs,  cold water,bad culture whatever. Whatever it is the plants looks really ugly. Ed Cormier

Response:

Ed, I don’t know the chemistry but Domain is available as a flowable liquid and is manufactured by Grace Sierra. It is available locally from Hummert in St. Louis and Tobin/Standard in K.C.  I’m currently using Aliette on my Phals with very good success. Fred Bergman

Response:

My local nursery sells both Benomil and Thiomil, as different products.  I have Thiomil, and also recently split a batch of Cleary’s with some friends.  Did I end up with the same product?

Response:

Yes, in fact about half the commercial orchid growers in the US were wiped out by Benlate (Dupont’s tradename for Benomyl) a few years back. It was apparently a contaminated batch although since there are still lawsuits pending over the incident the facts are still hard to come by.

Just about wiped out at least one major clematis grower too.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 -Sue Sanders

Response:

writes: Has anyone had any experience using Benomyl systemic fungicide (wettable powder form) on orchids?? Thanks, Jane

Jane, Yes, in fact about half the commercial orchid growers in the US were wiped out by Benlate (Dupont’s tradename for Benomyl) a few years back. It was apparently a contaminated batch although since there are still lawsuits pending over the incident the facts are still hard to come by. Anyway, subsequent to the incident, the label was changed to omit ornamentals (the category which would include orchids).  Since the label is the law, I would not recommend use of Benomyl anymore.  For orchids the most common replacement for Benomyl is probably Clearys 3336 which is repackaged for the home market in the South under the name Thiomyl (I don’t know about the rest of the country – I guess chemical like this must be registered in each state where they are sold…).  I have used it for some time with excellent results – I often combine it with Maneb to obtain a broad spectrum fungicide. Bob — Davidson Orchids  -   Florida’s Suncoast’s Largest Orchid Supplier 3605 Palm View Road                     info Line…(941) 722-9308 Palmetto, FL  34221                   order Line….(800) 883-9308 Catts, Dens, Phals, Vandas, etc.        FAX Line….(941) 721-0363 –Seedlings : Blooming Plants : Flasks : Lab Services : Supplies–

Response:

Has anyone had any experience using Benomyl systemic fungicide (wettable powder form) on orchids??

        I have used it approximately twice in 4 years on only a few plants in my collection.  I cannot say it was very effective, but I did not do a large scale trial.  I will only apply fungicide to affected plants, which aren’t too happy to begin with, so if they die it is hard to tell if it was the benomyl or the rot.  I have heard bad things about Benylate (is that spelled right?) and crippling of Phalaenopsis, but benomyl may be different.  It was also impossible to buy in Michigan a couple of years ago for some reason, but I have seen it around since.         I don’t have much of a problem with fungal problems, and I attribute it mostly to high air movement and a clean bench.  The fact that I can’t get my humidity above 50% except on very hot days in the summer probably helps too.  Perhaps I will have more problems when I move my plants to their new plant room which I will keep a bit more humid.  Time will tell.  I would recommend using cinnamon as an antifungal, as it has worked well for me in the past (not many plants, again…) and many of my friends use it routinely with good success.  Doesn’t have to be the expensive kind, either.  Non-toxic, in fact you could probably eat the stuff… *grin*  If you must go to a more toxic variety, I have seen good successes with Captan (if you can still buy it) with Phalaenopsis, and I have heard that Terraclor (sp?) is very good. Rob  Rob’s rules to live by:                            |  Send me seeds!    (1) There is always room for one more orchid.    |    (2) There is always room for two more orchids.   |    (3) There is no rule 3.                          |  Will Flask for Food     (3a) When one has insufficient credit to buy    |              more orchids, obtain more credit.          |

Response:

Has anyone had any experience using Benomyl systemic fungicide (wettable powder form) on orchids?? Thanks, Jane

Response:

Filed under: Phalaenopsis Orchid

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