What to Do When an Orchid Gets Soft Rot? Detailed Guide to Prevention and Control

Orchid soft rot actually cannot be treated well. From item 6 of the characteristics of plant pathogenic bacteria, it can be known that by the time symptoms are visible to the naked eye, the invaded orchid plant is already in the late stage, and no medicine is of any use, so prevention is the key to orchid soft rot.

　　I. Environmental Aspects

1. Cleanliness and hygiene: Start with the orchid-growing environment, pots, potting media, tools, and so on, and do a comprehensive job of cleaning and hygiene to reduce the breeding of harmful bacteria.

2. Alternate dryness and moisture: The orchid-growing environment, pots, and potting media must not remain constantly wet and moist; especially during high temperature and high humidity, they must stay dry for a certain period of time.

3. Regular disinfection: After the orchid-growing environment dries, promptly carry out disinfection, sterilization, and pest control for better results.

　　II. Management Aspects

1. Strengthen ventilation: Erwinia has facultative anaerobic characteristics. Ventilation can increase the oxygen supply, and oxygen has the effect of killing or inhibiting the growth of Erwinia. When ventilating, continuously replenish fresh air for better results.

2. Moderate water control: During high temperature and high humidity, orchid pots must not remain constantly wet and moist. Water should be moderately controlled, with management leaning toward dryness, so that the potting medium becomes loose and fresh air can enter the potting medium and take effect.

3. Moderate light: Provide shade during high temperatures, but do not shade too tightly; there should be scattered light. If conditions permit, make full use of direct sunlight before 8 a.m., which both sterilizes and strengthens the plants.

4. Use less chemical fertilizer: Some Erwinia species have nutritional requirements needing special growth substances, namely organic nitrogen compounds. Based on this characteristic, use less or no chemical fertilizer containing organic nitrogen compounds, cutting off the source of Erwinia's nutritional requirements.

5. Reduce disturbance: Do not love and pamper them too much. Reduce human disturbance and harm to the orchid plants, and prevent wounds from appearing.

　　III. Aspects of the Orchid Plants

1. Do a good job at the introduction stage: Introduced tissue-cultured seedlings and greenhouse plants are prone to soft rot, mostly not because they themselves carry bacteria, but because they lack or do not have the ability to regulate and adapt, resulting in weak resistance. When introducing plants, pay equal attention to looking at the orchid plants and looking at the environment, and try to choose orchid plants from similar or even poorer environmental conditions. Do not introduce plants during periods of high temperature and high humidity. The best time for introduction is autumn, so that the orchid plants have a longer adaptation period.

2. Grow strong orchid plants: Truly strong orchid plants have strong regulation and adaptation ability and good resistance, and these cannot be grown by relying on greenhouses and fertilizer. Growing truly strong orchid plants requires sufficient light, varying temperature differences, frequent hardening, and enough time.

3. Control excessive growth: During high temperature and high humidity, orchid plants also grow fastest. When growth is fast, their resistance weakens, and harmful bacteria can easily invade. Controlling excessively fast growth of orchid plants is also key to preventing orchid plant diseases.

　　IV. Treatment Aspects

1. Soft rot cannot be treated: From item 6 of the characteristics of plant pathogenic bacteria, it can be known that by the time symptoms are visible to the naked eye, the invaded orchid plant is already in the late stage, and no medicine is of any use.

2. Observe frequently and detect early: Although soft rot cannot be treated, you still need to observe frequently. For key orchid plants and orchid pots, and for orchid plants showing abnormalities, be especially careful. Only by detecting early can you deal with it early, with less infection and smaller losses.

3. Treatment method: Once soft rot is found, it must be dealt with promptly. The conventional and currently most effective method is the division method. First remove the plant from the pot, start cutting from the farthest growth, separate them one growth at a time, and stop at the plant where the cut surface changes color. If there are only one or two growths, do not remove the plant from the pot; first use medicine, then stop watering and let it dry completely through. When the orchid plant shows signs of dehydration, water it again and try your luck.