Hi I was wondering if anyone had tips for returning fungus and mold. I have repotted two of my orchids twice already and changed the pots and all of the soils each time. I’ve tried fungicides and cutting off all infected roots but they keep coming back. I first noticed the mold about two months ago. I was thinking of potentially moving to water culture to get rid of the mold. Is this a good solution or should I try something else?
Are your pots well ventilated, allowing the medium to dry out between waterings? Are you using the same brand of bark when you repot? Some are not as great as others. How you’re storing it could also be an issue. Is the medium getting damp between uses? Next time you repot, cut away dead roots, wash your plastic pots well with dish soap, and give your roots a spray with hydrogen peroxide before repotting. See if that helps. My only other tip would be to improve the ventilation in your space if possible- a little breeze, window or a fan, it might help to get some air movement. As far as water culture- I know there are several people in this group that have had success with it, but I would do a lot of research before trying it. 1- orchids don’t grow that way in nature. They are epiphytic and their roots need air as much as they do water. It may work for a time, but ultimately, there’s a huge risk of root rot. 2- if you are having a mold and fungus issue, adding MORE moisture wouldn’t be my first instinct.
1 LikeI transferred my orchids to water culture last year because of root rot, and I’ve personally had more success with this method. I keep mines in water for 2 days and let it dry out for 4-5 days. I’m not sure if orchids do the same in media, but water cultures have a very distinct root growth period and then a leaf growth period.
