Crown rot in phal

[Gilda]

The peroxide you have in your medicine cabinet ...3%. Full strength. I did this for several days...you can see it bubble if there is bacteria. My orchid was Dtps. Newberry Picotee Parfait....I didn't want to lose it.

[LJA]

That's a great tip, Gilda. I've never tried it, or heard of trying it. I guess it worked well on your Dtps.?

[orchid_fan]

Ok, I folllowed Gilda's suggestion and poured some H202 on the crown. It bubbled a little, so I guess that means there was bacteria present. I also dusted with cinnamon afterwards, just as an extra precaution. I'll repeat the steps in a few days and let you all know if it solved the problem. Thanks to all of you who gave great tips and encouragement!

BTW, Gilda -- I also have a Newberry Picotee Parfait but mine is labelled as a Phal. Is there both a Phal and Dtps variety or is mine just mislabelled? It's in spike at the moment...can't wait to see it bloom!

[Liz]

I've also read about using hydrogen peroxide... Make sure to let us know how your plant fares.

[Jmoney]

The RHS search only lists a Dtps. Newberry Parfait. It is pretty well-updated, but it is not up to the second.

It's been a long time since chemistry class, but I think peroxide bubbles once exposed to air. H2O2 dissociates into H2O and O2, which bubbles off. That's why an old bottle of peroxide will be mostly water.

[peteMc]

mine's listed as Dtps. also....nice plants

[Gilda]

The RHS search only lists a Dtps. Newberry Parfait. It is pretty well-updated, but it is not up to the second.

It's been a long time since chemistry class, but I think peroxide bubbles once exposed to air. H2O2 dissociates into H2O and O2, which bubbles off. That's why an old bottle of peroxide will be mostly water.

It is Dtps. listed in C&H(their cross).

Dr. Jason,

Explain why peroxide swiped across my hand doesn't bubble, but placed on a zit,cut ,etc. it does ???

[Gilda]

That's a great tip, Gilda. I've never tried it, or heard of trying it. I guess it worked well on your Dtps.?

Louis,
Sharon Dahl( who frequents another forum, darn it) told me to try this when Picotee was ailing...worked like a charm. It has grown a new leaf, but has the remains of the piece of leaf where the crown rot stopped !

[Jmoney]

It is Dtps. listed in C&H(their cross).

Dr. Jason,

Explain why peroxide swiped across my hand doesn't bubble, but placed on a zit,cut ,etc. it does ???

I take that back about peroxide and bacteria. Peroxide is a toxic compound due to its formation of free radicals. It is broken down by the group of enzymes known as catalases, which are present in some bacteria and absent in others. So while bubbling can indicate the presence of bacteria (or other organism), it would indicate that the peroxide is being broken down into the nontoxic H2O and O2.

That's the same reason why peroxide will bubble on areas of skin breakdown--catalase in the blood and/or subcutaneous tissue will render the peroxide harmless (while presumably killing off the strains of bacteria at the wound site that do not have this enzyme).

[Gilda]

Thanks Jason ,for that explanation.....I think ! However it works, it does a fine job in the medicine cabinet and the greenhouse ! Gets them catalases every time !