Friends who enjoy gardening are likely aware that the most susceptible plant to diseases is the "rose," but despite this, many people still love growing it because its flowers are beautiful and eye-catching when placed at home. In recent years, however, the market has started to shift, with the "phalaenopsis" (butterfly orchid) gaining popularity instead. The reason is simple: it has beautiful flowers and is less prone to diseases.
As more people grow phalaenopsis, and with varying growing conditions, it may still encounter some difficult-to-diagnose diseases (fungal infections). This is especially true in southern regions, where high temperatures often coincide with heavy rainfall. This alternating cycle of high heat and humidity can lead to stem rot, which can harbor disease-causing pathogens.
The disease that typically occurs under high temperature and humidity conditions is called "white rot." The infection occurs at the base of the stem, near the roots. The bacteria mainly hide in the flowerpot or in unsanitized sphagnum moss or bark. Sometimes, the disease is spread through unclean watering water.
Phalaenopsis that are infected with this disease, from seedlings to mature plants, can suffer, especially at the base of the stem and the roots. In the early stages of the disease, yellow-brown water-stained spots appear at the root and stem junction, which can resemble the initial symptoms of soft rot, making it difficult to distinguish. However, as the disease progresses, the spots grow larger and turn brown, eventually leading to rot. If the humidity is high and white, thread-like fungal strands and mouse-like fungal sclerotia grow on the moss, it can generally be concluded that the plant is suffering from white rot.
To prevent and control this disease, here are a few tips: First, remove the sphagnum moss and disinfect it with steam. Then, disinfect the flowerpot with a 0.2% to 0.5% concentration of potassium permanganate, or use a diluted solution of 50% carbendazim at a 1:1500 ratio for disinfection. For prevention, ensure good ventilation and lighting during hot and humid weather to reduce the surrounding humidity.
Additionally, use water that has been allowed to stand for one night before watering, and try to let the sediment at the bottom of the water settle before use. Finally, once a diseased plant is discovered, immediately remove it and burn it. Simultaneously, use fungicides such as Bordeaux mixture or mancozeb, dilute according to the recommended ratio, and spray once a week for 3 to 5 consecutive weeks.
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