Mokara Chark Kuan [GOLD] fungi infestation

The three last buds didnt open ...it blackened into small balls...these has been sprayed with diluted physan 20 and maybe next week with "Captan" but maybe not...notice the edges of the lower leaves also have black spots fungi. Otherwise, this bloomed beautifully as expected.

[digitalgate]

i would suggest that you put them into pot instead as this plant can handle water and full sun. Mokara normally can take a lot of fertilizer and sun light ,you have 2 months of summer left , might want to make full use of it. Bare root is better left to strap leave vanda in florida. Up north humidity is low, that would be too dry for the plant.
My mokara is drenched daily, potting seldom goes dry. It can handle dry out for 1 or 2 dry out in pot but not bare root.

Thanks, Tian...I will drill some holes on the bottom and sides of a large glass vase to pot them in...maybe use the S/H method with the LECA, since it will be moist but not stagnant...I will make sure not to let it go dry for more than a day...are you sure I can put this in direct sun ? Right now it is getting filtered sun from the awning out of the window sill... what do you think...is it a fungus infection or is it just dryness and humidity problem ?

[Greybeard]

Beautiful orchid can't help you with your problem though Knock on wood I have not had to deal with any so far. Good luck

[katrina]

I'm not sure...maybe I'm just not seeing something but I don't see anything that would lead me to believe fungal issue. I do see a root system that looks dehydrated and in poor shape. Poor roots could cause issues w/the flowers. Again though...could be I'm just not seeing what you're talking about.

You are right Katrina, in fact Digitalgate also suggested to water it everyday in a pot...it is in a basket bareroot ...so, I'll start soaking it then repotting in S/H method so it is moist ...I was treating it like a vanda when in fact it is not...it can withstand direct sunlight and drinks a lot and needs to be fertilized a lot...LECA and a water gauge is best because I might overwater it...altho it was suggested that it must never go dry

[digitalgate]

Sorry if I miss lead u in certain way . The root can handle dry out but not sitting in water . I am not sure about s/h but having more water will help this plant . Even through it can handle lots of sun , u still need to slowly adjust to higher amount of the sun light. In the winter , you can dump it in the sun . Sun is dimmer in winter so having full sun will help .

[brianb]

Anky,

I am a Newbie, so take what I say with a pinch of salt.

As you can see from the attached thumb nail, I have had the same issue with a couple of Vanda's of mine, one yellow, one pink. They flower profusely at least three times a year but each time throw two or three dud buds.

I grow them in pots in charcoal outside on benches, facing the morning sun, with no shade cloth. They get no sun after noon. They are watered each morning and if the day has been very hot, each evening. They are fertilized weakly weekly. As they flower well one must assume most things are OK.

For what it is worth. In a recent conversation with a commercial grower (showed him the photos) his view was that it happens with some orchids and suggest genetic issues. He also suggested that a squirt of fertilizer just after the spike develops might help. have yet to try this.

Brianb

@Tian...you did not mislead me...I knew the plant is too dry...but I am not letting it sit stagnant in water...the LECA in S/H is moist but not soaking wet...there is a measuring devIce to monitor the water level of the pan...so far it is happy...
@Brian, that is good to know...I am glad it is not fungi ... But a genetic issue, I soak it for 5 min once a week with worm tea and seaweed...I guess when this spikes again, I will spray it with commercial fertilizer...this plant have bloomed for me twice since it was given to me a year and a half ago...your mokara is magnificent