Cattleya Fungal Disease Racing Against Time

[Dallasgarden]

Okay, why do I take this soooo seriously? I've already promised myself that I could buy a new orchid if this one dies, but it was a favorite! Here goes:
I've had this unknown for years and it grew large. Every winter, if I kept it too wet it would get a fungal infection and leaves would blacken and die. On old growth as well as new. So, I kept it in lava rock in a clay pot to keep it dry. This winter, it got too wet and several leaves blackened, so I decided about 4 weeks ago to split it into three parts and put in small containers with better circulation. I kept two outside and one very weak piece inside under grow lights. Outside pieces got tons of new roots very quickly. Inside piece, not so great. Dallas got about 10 straight days of rain about two weeks ago and the two outside pieces suddenly showed many spots of rot. I cut away anything with fungal and now only have a few pieces. I ordered Physan 20 but it's not here yet, and if you look at the picture this rot on my new growth flared in the last two days! Physan should be here in the next day or two, but perhaps it's too late...question. Does fungal infection stay inside of a plant? Once got it, always got it? Or can it go away. Any hope for this guy? Or should I just start shopping?

[Ania]

I don't know if fungal infection stays in the plant, but I think your plant can still recover. I would cut away the blackened part (maybe you can save the sheath) and generously apply cinnamon on the healthy leaf. It is a natural fungicide. Keep the leaves dry. That should be good until you get your Physan 20. I hope it helps.

Ania

[Brutal_Dreamer]

I agree and put a fan on the plant so that it drys off after you water.

It is always a good time to get a new orchid!

Cheers,
BD

[Halloamey]

Completely agree with Ania. And always sterilize your gardening tools, by dipping them in ethanol and flaming them. These instruments can act as vectors for various diseases.

[Dallasgarden]

Cut, sprinkled with cinnamon and awaiting my Phys...
Next question: If fungal infection doesn't stay in the plant, are some Cats more prone to fungal infection? In the past, I've only cut and raised the light and less moisture, this will be the first time I used something heavy duty like Physan.

[Halloamey]

Yes it is a possibility. If your cattleyas are having Catt walkeriana in the pedigree and/or many lithophytic species , then they like to dry out between the watering and need periods of watering followed by periods of dryness. So constant moisture all along can be problem with some plants. whereas plants with Sophronitis coccinea in their pedigree will thrive with constant moisture.

[Gin]

I have a few Catts. outside but under a canopy we also had days of rain . In the past I had a few without protection and ran into the same thing you have . Once they were under cover it stopped . I think the problem you have is because of wet for too long .

[bedt]

Hi Chris, please keep us posted as to how things progress and good luck!