What are the methods for fertilizing orchids? Beware of the deadly orchid rot disease

For orchids, rot disease causes extremely severe damage and spreads rapidly. Orchid rot disease mainly includes two types: soft rot and black rot.

In the early stage of soft rot, tiny brown water-soaked spots appear on the leaves, which then expand into black moist patches. At this point, the diseased spots are extremely prone to rupture and exude a foul-smelling liquid. Afterward, the orchid plant will quickly rot. This disease usually occurs easily in rainy and humid seasons above 30°C.

Black rot is a fungal disease that mostly occurs on the leaves, the base and the growing point. At the affected areas, translucent spots initially appear, and the spots gradually expand, the tissue turns black, and gradually rots. When it begins to appear on the root system or underground stem, attention should be paid. If not controlled, it will soon spread from the root system to the entire underground stem until the plant is completely destroyed. In a very short time, this disease can turn the orchid's rhizome black, and the leaves black and rotten.

Prevention and control methods

After an orchid is infected with rot disease, repot and change the soil in a timely manner, cut off all tissues of the diseased parts and destroy them together, then wash and disinfect the cut surfaces with clean water, apply sulfur powder, and place in a cool, ventilated place to dry. After the cut surfaces shrink and dry, repot. After repotting, do not water or spray for 3 to 4 days, and spray once with a solution made from 50% thiram plus 500 times water. The growing environment should have enhanced ventilation and light. The rescued diseased plant should be temporarily isolated from other orchids to avoid infection. Only after it grows normally and is no longer infectious can it be placed together with other orchids.