...just back from a Mid-West business trip, so catching up.

Rod and I were friends, and while we did disagree on stuff, I surely don't
recall any flame wars with the opinionated ******* (insert grin here).

I am a firm believer in NOT doing preventive sprayings of insecticides, but
I have never heard of resistance buildup in lower life forms. My
understanding is that because they reproduce asexually, there is no
opportunity to pass on traits. Algae can reproduce sexually or asexually,
but I've not heard of a resistant strain...

I generally use Physan @ 1 tsp/gal on a 4- to 6-week basis, and have no
issues with resistant strains of fungi, bacteria, or algae. The fact that
it is so instantly contact toxic to those things probably helps.

If I was to rotate disinfectants, I'd use Physan (one teaspoon per gallon),
chorine bleach (one ounce per gallon), and an aqueous cinnamon extract (stir
4-6 tablespoons of powder into a gallon of boiling water; remove from heat
and let sit for at least 48 hours, filter and dilute to 5 gallons of spray).

Also keep in mind that good air flow around the plants is the number one,
best way to prevent fungal and bacterial infections.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"Bob Walsh" wrote in message
. ..

Kye,

Venger/ Ray? I don't recall Ray being in a flame war. However Venger/Mick
certainly comes to mind.

Bob
"Kye" wrote in message
...
Wasn't there a thread AGES back about this being detrimental to the
general health of plants???

From memory it was back in the days of the Venger/Ray flame wars so too
far back for me to recall accurately though I cannot recall whether we
ever resolved the issue.

--
Yours Sincerely
Kye


"Kenni Judd" wrote in message
. ..
In general, I hate to see chemicals being sprayed "just in case." But
if you are in a fungus-prone environment (we are, in hot humid south
Florida, and if you are having recurrent infections, apparently you are,
too), spraying a fungicide once a month or so will not harm your plants
and will probably help.

The chemical should be rotated -- not Physan every time, but switch to
something with a different active ingredient after a few sprayings, and
then back. It's also important to spray the surrounding areas (benches,
floor, hangers, etc.), not just the plants, and to achieve proper
coverage (undersides of leaves). Kenni


"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
news:kgSOi.3405$ai2.2942@trndny05...
I occasionally have issues with fungus and bacteria spots on the leaves
of some of my plants (esp. Phals). Just when I think I have it under
control I see spots on the leaves again.

Should I spray Physan occassionally? After I see the damage it's too
late so how do youse guys and gals handle this?

Good Growing,
Gene