Droopy Vanda?

[Lucinda Brown]

I have one vanda-bareroot in basket-like most all of mine,in my greenhouse that looks droopy-like a wilted plant-all the time no matter what I do.It is fed,watered,like all the rest.Has good light,except for a lot of cloudy days lately,and I have misters working in my greenhouse-so plenty of good humidity.All the others are fine,this ones roots look great-fat,healthy,green-tipped and growing,but still always looks wilted!Anybody seen this before from a vanda? I have no clue what I need do for it to make it happy-HELP!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I have seen numerous problems in my greenhouse that appear to be a form of wilt. No reason for it, they just look desicated and have a pale color. I have been spraying these with Phyton 27 and have seen these sort of stabilize, and start to grow new unwilted growth, but have not seen a complete return of normalcy to the damaged tissue. Phyton 27 is a systemic fungicide/bacteriocide, and is too expensive to use generally in the collection, but just for the obvious problems.

[kmarch]

Interesting Cynthia...so are you saying you think it might be an "internal" bacteria or fungus? I occasionally find an orchid like this too.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Yes, and I would love to have a name for this. If someone comes accross this on the internet, let me know. It has happened enough times for me now to notice it and treat quickly. I sometimes think a lot of orchids that keel over mysteriously have this. Just had something like this run thru all my African violets, and will see how many survive after spraying and drenching with Phyton.

[Lucinda Brown]

What about using some Physan 20,I have that right now but not the other you mentioned? I'll try it,I guess,kinda broke at moment til payday.Then I'll order some of what you named Cynthia and give it a try. Thanks!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Don't think Physan will do much because it is not systemic. You could go to your local nursery and ask for a 'systemic fungicide' and hope it covers what your plant has. I recommend this because Phyton 27 is problematic to get. You may be able to find it in a 2 or 4 oz size, but it will still be pretty expensive and you will have to wait for shipment. My 8 oz bottle was $53 a year or two ago from a wholesale nursery supply which has a $50 minimum, which was fine in this case.