Dazed and Confused...and needing your help

[BunnytheOrchid]

Hello fabulous orchid growers
Ok, this is kind of a general question. I have read the sticky on diseases, but I still feel like I can't tell when something on my orchids is bad and when its just a little nick or tear or dirt or anything How do you tell when something is a disease, or when something is completely benign? I know fungi and bacterial ailments will feel soft or moist (right?), so I don't think I have any of those. But I do have little black marks on some of my orchids leaves. They have never seemed to spread, so I assume they are ok....

I know there is no one-line answer, but after reading so many things on orchid diseases I am feeling a little confuzzled (confused and puzzled )

[mayres]

OK - here is one general answer - I'm sure there will be more. It depends a little what genera of orchids you are talking about. For example, many of the oncidiums, intergenerics, & brassia seem to commonly get spots on the leaves that are often referred to as "normal". On the other hand I wouldn't expect "normal" black spots ever on phals & paphs. I'm sure there are exceptions - but this is my experience and what I've read of other's experiences. One of the best defenses against disease is to be sure and give your plants plenty of room and AIR MOVEMENT. Also water early in the day so they can dry out prior to dropping temperatures.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Sorry to tell, but mostly it is just experience. A digital camera and the forum is a great combination to get you thru the learning stage. One correction. Fungal problems do not fit the soft/wet description. That would make the problem bacterial. Fungal problems usually are just a change in color to black, with the sometimes presence of a sinking of the tissue surface. Another problem from a special kind of fungus is a wilting of the tissue, which is cause by fusarium fungus. Some fusariums have a red lining just under the skin on the rhizome, at the base of the plant. But some fusarium fungi do not produce this characteristic red lining. Fusarium does not respond to many systemic fungicides, so I tend to recommend Thiophanate Methyl (Clearry's 3336, Bonomyl, Fertilome Halt, ...), which does work on fusarium, and other fungi too.

[PhalPal]

Bunny I have found that my best 'book' is this forum. I have several, SEVERAL orchid books and manuals and I still can't always find the answers. Like Cynthia says, nothing like a digital camera and fellow Geeks.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Well it's comforting to hear that there are treatments for any diseases and all of you wonderful people here to help But I have admit, hearing about all the possible woes that can befall my orchids is disheartening, especially if its because I mess up

[kid a]

Originally Posted by BunnytheOrchid

Well it's comforting to hear that there are treatments for any diseases and all of you wonderful people here to help But I have admit, hearing about all the possible woes that can befall my orchids is disheartening, especially if its because I mess up

Don't be too hard on yourself if you mess something up (unless you lost a lot of money). It may break your heart if you loose one but, Just think of it in terms of a learning experience! I messed up a few plants from not watering enough, over watering, stuff like that. I think we all have had our mistakes, even the best grower had some at some point in time and probably still does from time to time!

[PhalPal]

Bunny honestly orchids are very hearty if given basic good culture. I have about 120 orchids now and just had my first brush with a disease/fungus/bacteria/some sort of problem. It turned out to be sunburn and harmless. Most of the big, nasty problems happen to large growers or owners of greenhouses. It can be difficult for them to provide great air circulation to a large number of crowded plants and stuff happens. Most of us small scale growers lare able to look at our orchids every day and would catch a problem very early on.