Newb with vanilla planifola in flask with FUNGUS!

[Chebon]

Help! First post first orchid. I have 1 and only 1 vanilla planifola grown from tissue culture in a flask with a fast growing fungus overtaking the top of the medium and one of the roots! I know it needs to be removed and potted but I need to know if and how to treat the plant to remove the fungus before repotting. I'm trying to avoid buying any antifungal products. Will bleach work and if so what kind solution should I use or will this destroy the plant? Any suggestions will be helpful, I'm thinking of using a 10-30% bleach/distilled water solution as a wash before planting. Thanks in advance!

Chebon

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

The fungus is living on the flasking medium. Once it is rinsed off, there should not be a problem with that particular fungus. I would plan on using a fugicide/bactericide on the plantlet when it comes out of flask because such plants are very susceptable to infection (mostly bacterial) when they first come out of flask. Now you may want to search on 'flasks', as there has been discusion on the subject by others more knowlegeable than I. Cynthia

[jerrymeola]

Young plants are not able to take a very strong fungicide. Captan is the most common one used. Systemic fungicides should not be used

for a complete discussion with photos see

http://www.easyorchids.co.uk/site/content/view/32/73/