Question
Hi Guys,

After asking you a question about mold growing my nepenthes you informed
me I needed sulfur fungicide to get rid of the mold. So I went to the local
hardware (like your Home Depot, only smaller) as I could not get to the
nursery and asked the nursery section for Sulfur Fungicide. I was supplied
with the brand Yates (see product http://www.yates.com.au/products/disease-control/concentrates/yates-
lime-sulphur-spray-fungicide/) and took in home and mixed it on the lowest
ratio (20ml/L) and then sprayed my plants. It had a very bad smell and I
thought that it just did not feel right so I can and search the forums and this
site to find  a post saying Lime Sulfur is toxic to carnivorous plants and is
different to Sulfur ( I did not know there was types). So I ran as fast as I could
out to my plants and put the irrigation on high and also got the hand sprayer
and washed all the leaves (to the best I could) and let the water run from the
pots to wash the sulfur away, I did this for about 20mins.

It was on the plants for about 20mins till I washed it of. I have gotten home
from work now to find what appears to be some stains (I think sulfur).

What should I do... Are my plants in trouble?

What fungicide do you use as I will buy the same one. I am not wanting to
make this kind of mistake again...

Regards, Corey.

Answer
Hi Corey,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I didn't know that lime sulfur existed!  I've never seen this product, and given that it's made in Australia, it may only have a regional distribution in the United States.  I've never seen this product at our local garden centers.

I read the product info, and they use a type of sulfur bound to calcium, hence the term lime.  The product also stated that it's used for fruiting trees and should be applied only in winter when the plants are dormant.  

While calcium per se isn't ideal for carnivorous plants, you could get a way with a one-time application with Nepenthes.  Nepenthes are tolerant of calcium for short periods of time.  Based on how Nepenthes grow, I would assume that your plants will be fine, especially after a heavy irrigation.

Look for Safer?sulfur fungicide.  They make an excellent prepared solution, and that's what we use at our nursery.  Another option is to use their Neem solution.  Spray the Neem on a cloth and wipe down the affected areas.  You can also spray the plant with Neem, but you should wash it off after 2 days mostly because of the smell.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin