Odcdm. Catatante

[Chris in Hamilton]

This is one I've had for a bit and actually have three of them. All about the same size and condition. Considering taking them all apart and mounting the good bits on a piece of cedar rail. any advice on that would be appreciated. Also, I've tried different things to stop the brown specks and spots that develop on this group of orchids but no luck. Sometimes, because of that and their size, I just want to get rid of the whole lot.

[Sheryl]

Pretty flower, Chris!

[raybark]

Chris,

I've heard LOTS of supposed "reasons" for the spots, and can find no scientific basis for any of them, however, I have noticed a significant reduction in them since switching to frequent, very low doses of fertilizer, and making sure the RH is pretty high.

I cannot claim a cause-and-effect relationship, but I hope that's more info than you had before!

[Chris in Hamilton]

Chris,

I've heard LOTS of supposed "reasons" for the spots, and can find no scientific basis for any of them, however, I have noticed a significant reduction in them since switching to frequent, very low doses of fertilizer, and making sure the RH is pretty high.

I cannot claim a cause-and-effect relationship, but I hope that's more info than you had before!

I've tried different fungicides, watering with warm water and putting them where they will dry very quickly and other things. Just when you think you have the problem beat it comes back. Thrown a few away that I just couldn't look at anymore. It is annoying!

[JDT]

You either get use to the spots because of the blooms or ditch them, I would get use to the spots.

[Chris in Hamilton]

You either get use to the spots because of the blooms or ditch them, I would get use to the spots.

I can do that to a point but sometimes they get so bad it pulls your eye away from the blooms.

[raybark]

higher humidity seems to be one of the keys...

[Chris in Hamilton]

higher humidity seems to be one of the keys...

I think so too Ray. It does seem to pop up this time of year. In the winter humidity is easy to control. With the humidifier on the furnace I can maintain 60-70%. When the AC is on this time of year it can get as low as 20% and there is not much can be done. I have net pots filled with wet sphagnum in some areas but the AC will work harder if more are added.