preventative disease care

[cmg.env]

I'd love to hear from some of you as to what you do to prevent diseases like you see here in this forum. Do you "hit" your plants every month or so and if so, with what? I'd love to read what you use and how often....to reduce the risk of pests and fungus. Also treating for fungi once a month or so....bad idea??? I live in Fla and in the summer months, the humidity can be brutal. I have some vanda, Phals, Phrag, and dends..... all outside (no greenhouse)

[tom499]

If vandas are in simple baskets with no medium there pretty much bullet proof as they can dry out quick.

I find orchid compost is a breeding ground for fungi, especially when damp. Try and avoid it, if possible.

When watering, dunk the orchids, but dont let the water soak the top layer.
I find keeping the medium top layer dry stops fungi from starting all together.

I have no anti fungicides or other chemicals. I rely on a good check of all orchids to look for possible issues, and use diluted white spirit to kill most bugs.

[kmarch]

Many orchids (Phals, Paphs, Phrags, Pleuros, Masdevallias, and others) love humidity. As long as there is good air circulation high humidity is welcome (unless it is high humidity and cold which causes problems).

My preventative measures include:
1) good air movement (open windows when possible and fans)
2) attention to not overwatering (prevents rot)
3) regular repotting
4) careful inspection of plants (all of them about every other week to identify, as early as possible, problems that do happen)

If i do identify a problem be it insects or a bit of rot, I leap to treat the plant. Delay and denial are not good remedies for an ailing orchid.

[prisana]

Hi, cmg.env___I also live in FL and grow all my orchids outside. This is the second year they've been outside and all I can say is They've never been happier . I had more diseases growing them indoors than out. They are right at home hanging in trees and sitting in benches ( shaded ).

Bugs are more of a problem but you can easily spray them as precaution. Like Kevin said, you will have to inspect them often and act quick when you see a problem. If you keep your plants healthy and happy they tend to be less prone to bugs and diseases.

I use Bayer Advance Rose and Flower spray at least once a month just to be sure . I haven't had any infestation in many months since I started using it.

[PhalPal]

I have found a new product that I just love. It is 'all natural' and I have no reservations spraying my plants with it to prevent problems, and it gives them nice shiny leaves. It is called 'Flower Pharm' and has cinnamon, cottonseed oil, oil of rosemary, as well as a few other plant based goodies. They make a few other formulas, but this flavor is an insecticide, miticide, and fungicide. I found it at an upscale garden center, but it can be purchased online at www.pharmsolutions.com. Smells wonderful and so far has done it's job well!
Everyone please keep in mind that an 'all natural' product does not mean it will not hurt pets or people. After all, nicotine is natural, heroine is natural, oil is natural...you get the point!

[brookn]

Phalpal, I have used milled cottonseed for years to discourage ticks in my yard. I just go to the feed and supply, and for about $5 I get a huge bag of it. Safe for the dogs, safe for the kids, I just throw it all over the yard, and no ticks. Doesn't seem to phase the fleas though...sigh. I will just have to keep researching. I am growing rosemary, and I hear that it works on the little buggers. Nice find, I may have to get some.

[Aniko]

A healthy strong plant is less likely to be a victim of disease, so I think that keeping our orchids in good health we do the best prevention.

Tom499 - if you don't mind: just dunking the pot, as you described, might be a wrong practice because in time will result in salt deposition on the bark.
And, fungus is more likely to appear inside, in the depth of the bark, but is not as harmful as those which attack the leaves.I experienced that.

[tom499]

I use only rain water to try and cut down on such deposits which will be caused by any form of watering, as water will be left behind on the bark and evaporate or be absorbed by the roots and i often underwater slightly, so as to cut down on dampness. The medium will rot, its just natural break down, as long as you change the medium every so often theres no problem.