How often should fungicides be applied?

[Ricardo in PR]

The specimen plant was recently repot and it was the flush of new vigorous growth that was attacked by the fungus. The other plants have been in their pots for just a year. The plants around these four are of the same section and are potted on the same material and were repotted at the same time. The specimen plant has been with me for the last 18 years and has gone through several relocations and weather conditions with little complaint until about two years ago that it started to deteriorate. It was repotted and was recuperating well until the leaves began to become spotted and marked.

[K Barrett]

Well, that does tick you off when that happens, doesn't it? Right about now I'd be grabbing for the Clery's or Kocide, too, in total frustration. I still wonder what the roots are like, but that's just me and feel free to ignore me.

[Ricardo in PR]

Don't feel ignored, I think I answered your points in my post. The large plant is growing well except for the spotting in the leaves. If its roots were damaged or lost its growth would be much weaker.

[K Barrett]

Oops, I wrote that wrong, LOL! Sorry for the miscommunication. I didn't mean to sound peevish [stamps her widdle foot, whines stop ignoring me.] I meant that you seemed to have the situation in hand so feel free to ignore me...

Hope that's clearer? I had no intention of alienating you.

[Ricardo in PR]

Don't worry, I don't feel angry, alienated or even miffed in the slightest

[K Barrett]

Check Lance Birk 'Paphiopedilum Grower's Manual' starting on pg 143 and Koopowitz 'Tropical Slipper Orchids' pg 84-86.

[Ricardo in PR]

Thanks, I will do so tonight. <<Ricardo slaps himself in the forehead>> I have that book, I should have checked on it first. I guess the Internet has made me forget there are books around.

[K Barrett]

Yeah, the internet is easy, but often there's more to it than you can post in a day, LOL!

Birk makes mention not only of applying the fungicide (he uses it on the whole plant when repotting then every 7-14 days as a drench) to the whole plant but then making a paste (I guess he's using a wettable powder) of whatever pesticide he's using as dressing the wound where he's cut the leaf off. Now, I'll do that with cinnamon when I cut off a tainted leaf. Never thought of doing it with a pesticide. But again, read exactly what he says because I'm recalling from memory and we all know now nebulous that can be, LOL!

[vvsjon]

fungicides must be applied properly over plant surfaces. These three rules depend on making correct decisions based on correct knowledge. Too many people simply spray and pray, and are often disappointed with the results.