No fungicides!
Serious damage can be done by these microscopic (0.2 mm) bulb scale mites, which later results in an opportunistic fungal infection with Stagonospora urtisii which causes the potentially deadly red blotch. But these mites are not transferred via seeds. It is essential to keep them strictly separated from infected mother plants.
The mite is generously delivered with every knight star lily bulb in order to shorten the live of the plant and to maintain the commercial flux.

Maintain the "innocent" state of your seedling plants as long as possible by taking all phytosanitary precautions!

No fungicides? Why?
Bigoledude...did you get my email? I tried replying to your email but got rejected twice. I sent you another one through gardenweb.

Hi Maria,
I think he is say no fungicide because the causitive agent is the mites. (I am sure he will correct me if this is not the case) So long as the mites are present the red blotch will be a problem and all the fungicides in the world won't help except in a temporary way.
I treat all of my hippis twice a year with Orthenex as it contains a systemic miticide. It won't completely wipe out the mites but it keeps them at very low levels. I am considering treatment with Avid, a highly effective systemic miticide that -will- wipe out cyclamen mites and broad mites in a large number of ornamental plants. It's safe enough to spray in the crowns of african violets without damage :) It's main drawback is the cost though it is used in tiny dilutions.
The bulbs I brought in from a certain west coast concern are lousy with the mites,irritates me greatly! I can't wait for warm weather to get them outside and treated!
Fortuneately, I do keep my seedlings segregated from the mother bulbs and I see no signs of damage to my youngsters.

Now,Bigoledude, I understand the need for green. It feeds the soul and gives a promise of better days ahead-but-,we ladies also have the need to "nest".Functional plumbing in a house with a roof & walls feeds the female soul in a great way and soothes ruffled feathers :) Lora

I do need to add her that I alternate using Orthonex with Cygon. There is a very real concern about resistance to chemicals being developed by the target pests.
ALSO (sorry for yelling) read and follow all label precautions! Systemics are designed to be absorbed and can be highly dangerous of used incorrectly! Lora

thanks for the Ortanex info lora. i just tried some on mine tonight. i used half strength and then 1/4th strength on my test bulbs from Home Depot that looked in bad shape from pests. i haven't used Orthanex for 2 years after my Japanese maple just shriveled up. worked good for getting rid of aphids though.

Hey, I got Orthenex too. I use it in my roses.
Lora...do you use it with your African Violets too?

Hi Maria,
Nooooo,don't use it on african violets! They will turn into little mounds of grey mush! (don't ask me how I know:(
Avid will work great on av's,not a speck of damage. It's effective on broad mites and cyclamen mites who are first cousins to the dreaded mites that infest hippeastrum. Avid's main drawback is the price,$100 for 8oz. It's main advantage is that it can be effectivly used on a large number of ornamental plants,from av's & hydrangea to roses & hippeastrum without causing causing tissue damage (or causing a plant to just drop dead -don't use Orthenex on begonias,either) I reeeealy wish the chemical manufacturers would upgrade the labeling ! The list of "approved for" plants is always very short,due,I'm sure,to misuse by the general public. Lora

No Maria
My email is not always working correctly. I'm getting skull-cramps trying to deal with it! We're about to move into a travel-trailer that's parked in the driveway of my destroyed home. We will not have the internet for a whlie since, civilization and telephone service have not returned to this "moonscape" yet. I will visit my computer about once a week to check for the few emails that are managing to squeak through. Please try again.

Ms Lora
My wife has got to be the "nester" of the century. I mean she could incubate golf balls! Fortunately for me she has taken care of me in the most perfect way for nearly 34 years! I can assure you, she will have another house just as nice or better. Or, I will die trying. Ray

Bigoledude, how are your efforts turned out so far. I read in the news that everybody is forced out of their trailers now, or already forced out, so the houses must be ready to move in or occupants have to move. How are you and your family?
We are still the "leader of the world," but this is definitely a third world treatment, and the worst is just ahead of us as the $ sinks and the national wealth evaporates into the air and moves into China...

Soultan, thanks for bringing this back up. I have a snail mail street address & will send a letter. Even if they aren't still there, it should get forewarded. (I hope)
Lora