Mushroom Preservation Methods and Clivia Root Rot Prevention and Control Techniques

During cultivation, Clivia is prone to root rot. At first, only individual roots turn brown and soft-rot, with no symptoms on the above-ground plant; then the fleshy roots rot, and the top leaves wilt when sunlight is strong and evaporation is intense; in the later stage, the root rot intensifies, the leaves become smaller and change color from green to yellow, and new leaves grow slowly and sparsely; finally, the entire root system rots, the leaves dry up gradually from the bottom upward, and the whole plant dies.

The pathogens causing Clivia root rot are mostly fungi. These pathogens overwinter on diseased residues in seedlings or soil, can survive in the soil for many years, spread through cultivation operations and rainwater, and mostly invade through wounds such as root injuries. Soil carrying pathogens, poor soil permeability, improper water and fertilizer application, and severe underground pest damage are all causes of the disease.

Clivia root rot can be prevented by disinfecting the potting soil and seedlings. Drench the potting soil thoroughly with a 500-fold dilution of 65% zineb or a 1000-fold dilution of 50% tuzet; before planting, soak the seedling roots in a 500-fold dilution of 50% thiophanate-methyl for 10 minutes, then dry them and plant. At the early stage of the disease, chemical control can be carried out: drench the roots with a 1500-fold dilution of 80% 402 emulsifiable concentrate or a 1200-fold dilution of 70% dexon, once every 7 to 10 days, for 2-3 consecutive drenches, and the control effect can reach over 95%; when drenching the roots, do it when the potting soil is slightly dry, which helps the pesticide take full effect. For diseased plants whose fleshy roots have rotted but whose above-ground parts have not yet died, the following first-aid measures can be taken: first take out the diseased plant, wash the soil off the roots, thoroughly cut away the rotted parts with a sharp knife, then soak the stem base in a 0.1% potassium permanganate solution for 30 minutes, take it out and apply charcoal ash to the wounds to prevent rot and infection, then place it in a ventilated place to dry slightly, and before planting dip it once more in undiluted vitamin B12 (medical injection); for the growing medium, thoroughly mix fine river sand, garden soil and rice-hull ash in a 2:5:1 ratio, then drench it thoroughly with boiling water to disinfect, and use it after it cools; this potting soil has good air permeability, heat retention and moisture retention, which helps the diseased plant grow new roots after planting; when planting the plant, press the buried part firmly with your hands so that the stem base is in close contact with the potting soil; after planting, keep the temperature at 20-25°C, keep the potting soil only slightly moist, and do not water unless it dries out completely; generally new roots will grow in 30-40 days.