Pest and Disease Control for Edible Fungi and Summer Pest and Disease Control Methods for Orchids
After orchids enter summer, daily management requires more care, because summer is the peak season for orchid diseases. How to carry out management is a topic we have always discussed. The beginning of summer starts with the plum rain season, and at this time orchid diseases follow. Because the air humidity during the plum rain season is high, it is the period of the year when orchids grow most vigorously, and also the period with the highest disease incidence. At this time the temperature is between 20°C-25°C, which is the golden window for disease development; above 30°C pathogens decrease. To avoid diseases during this golden window, we should control moisture, be sure to keep the orchid room clean, and sterilize in a timely manner.
When it comes to sterilization, what should we use? Because there are really too many sterilizing agents on the market now, making one dazzled and not knowing where to start. In fact, many fungicides have not been tested in clinical trials on orchids at all; people just hear they are good and use them. Unlike in Taiwan, China and Japan, where orchid-growing conditions are mature, clinical trials are conducted. When we sterilize, are we actually killing fungal diseases, bacterial diseases, or viral diseases and insect pests? On this point, we must have a clear target when sterilizing.
1. Control of Fungal Diseases
This type of disease mainly consists of: anthracnose, southern blight, leaf blight and other diseases. Once it occurs, there is almost no cure. We should do a good job of prevention and control: the orchid room should be ventilated and let in light, kept clean, and the orchids should be washed regularly. Usually, pesticides such as Dacotech 45, agricultural streptomycin, chlorothalonil, Yili, Daconil, and Lüxiang No. 8 can be used for prevention and cleaning.
2. Control of Bacterial Diseases
This type of disease mainly consists of: heart rot, black rot, brown rust and other diseases. If this type of disease is discovered early and treated early, there is still hope of survival. The main thing is still to strengthen ventilation, control moisture, and immediately cut off diseased leaves and burn them. Usually, pesticides such as Yili, chlorothalonil, Fujue, Commander, and Daconil are used for prevention and control.
3. Control of Viral Diseases
In fact, this type of disease simply cannot be prevented or controlled. If it occurs, one can only consider oneself unlucky. We can only improve orchid growers' ability to identify pathogens and strengthen their awareness of self-protection. Do not introduce orchid plants carrying Byras disease. This kind of orchid was once very popular in Taiwan, China. After being introduced to the mainland, pathological changes occurred. The orchid plant can still grow and will not die, with variegated spots on the leaves; even wild-collected plants can have this disease.
4. Control of Insect Pests
The common ones we see are scale insects, whiteflies, ants, thrips, etc. These grow on the leaf surface and are visible to the naked eye, and most can be controlled. What is annoying is the small insects active inside the potting soil. They are the biggest enemy in our orchid pots for spreading bacteria and causing orchid disease. At this time we need to carry out insecticidal treatment against them. Available pesticides include Haoniandong, Lorsban, etc.
The above four types of diseases and pests can be prevented and controlled simultaneously during treatment.