Orange rot/rust beginning on the skin. WARNING: Some viewers may find distressing

Got any updated pics ? It would be good to show how it develops so people can avoid our miss fortune in the future.

Joined : 16 May 2008 Posts : 152 Location : Canberra

I will post some pics when I get home tonight-

Another observation I have had is that the cacti flesh very subtly changes colour from the dark green to a paler pastel green just before the orange patches start.

I'm going to pick up a few different types of fungicide on the way home and start a campaign of rotating treatments. Go down fighting. I name this
'Shock and awe'

Joined : 16 May 2008 Posts : 152 Location : Canberra

I have done some reading and think this could be 'Fusarium oxysporum' which would certainly suit my growing conditions. Very moist (wet) and often following a scarid fly problem... It seems to cause the same problems for 'christmas cacti' growers.
any thoughts?

Last edited by Hellonasty on Fri May 23, 2008 11:54 am; edited 1 time in total

WT,

Yep I rekn you got it. I had a pretty bad fungus gnat problem last christmas and I forogt to treat my plants for bacteria. I had a look around and the damage caused by said fungus is consistant with what I got. It lives in the soil so I would suggest doing a soil drench with a fungiside.

Fingers crossed for the rest of my plants.

HT what would you recommend to treat bacteria for your cacti? I think I better treat my greenhouse before I lose too many plants.

Cheers.
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mmm spikey...

Age : 35 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 181 Location : Cairns

Isn't fusarium 'agent orange'?

It causes 'wilt' in several plants and trees.

I assume it affects cacti to.

Is it controllable?

Trig,

By HT I think you mean me ?? Anyway I will answer it. I'm not sure everyone should worry too much but, I think I remmber you having a fungus gnat problem too trig. If you did then I would suggest making up a solution of water and a good fungicide. Do the plants and a soil drench.

As I said earlier I have used Potassium phosphite a systemic fungicide with the addition of Sulphor and Copper Oxychlorite. A mate of mine uses Mancozeb and says its pretty good but i'm not very exprienced with fungicides.

Yeah meant you mate, sorry not sure why I wrote "HT". Yeah had a bit of f ungus gnat problem, they have died off with the cold, but wouldn't want to lose any really valuable cacti.

I have some fongarid, maybe I should use that? No, I don't know much about them either, prefer not to have to use them really, but might be a good idea.
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mmm spikey...

Joined : 16 May 2008 Posts : 152 Location : Canberra

I was going to get some fongarid and give it a go - a very systemic fungicide apparently.
and it comes in a 'serious' looking packet.
Mad

Joined : 16 May 2008 Posts : 152 Location : Canberra

I had a look at the fongarid and the info said it doesn't treat Fusarium. (if thats what I have) I picked up some Yates anti rot - who knows if it will help.

I had some Astro capricorne that developed orange rot - I ended up cutting off the rotten roots and scrubbed it with mancozeb - it seems to have worked.
Question

Joined : 16 May 2008 Posts : 152 Location : Canberra

and an updated pic.

Yeah I reckon fongarid is probably a pretty nasty chemical. Might give the mancozeb a go. Have heard good things about it.

Your graft looks to be holding it's own at this point WT, fingers crossed mate.
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mmm spikey...

Moderator Joined : 06 Apr 2008 Posts : 357 Location : oz

Best of luck with it WT. Be a shame to lose such a fine specimen, graft and all.
Good info on combating fungus though