Cattleyas - air circulation problem (I think)

[poetiscariot]

I've lost a couple shoots this spring (boooooooooooo!), I think because of poor air circulation. I grow on a humidity tray under a CFL grow light. I had a growth about 1.25" long on a small C. hardyana turn brown/black at the tip, and then die back from there. I cut it and found the inner leaf was blackened too, so I cut off the entire p-bulb, to where it was pure green inside, dusted that with cinnamon, and cried a little. Now I have a C. Caribbean x C. lawrenceana that was going really well with two shoots, one with a bud sheath, and I think it's losing them both. They seem to have stopped growing bigger; on the smaller one, one of the pieces that would eventually dry and turn papery has turned blackish, and the larger one has some spots that make me think it's rotting from inside. I also had a previously-bloomed Bl. Sunset Glory start to make buds and they just blasted; not sure that's the same problem but it certainly could be.

I do have other plants that seem happy and healthy! I'm not killing them all. Just a few that might be a little more delicate.

1.) Do I need to cut the shoots off? Really? Really really? I bet I do but I'll be so sad.

2.) Do you think I'm right that this is an air circulation issue?

3.) If so, what kind of fan could I get that would be small, very quiet, and that won't need to be mounted in a wall? I'm not even sure where to look for something like that, and the gardening sites I'm looking at have ventilation systems for real greenhouses, not for in-home hobbyists.

[Cjcorner]

I have a couple small nightstand size fans I use for air movement when my orchids are inside. Even a ceiling fan on low provides for some air movement. And it sounds like you have the orchid bug. I often say my collection is perfect...then go shopping for more. It's perfectly normal even if our friends and relatives don't think so. I keep reminding my husband it could be expensive shoes or purses that I collect. ;0)

[rich63]

Victoria, I just did set up a new indoor grow area with lights and fans. It is under the Semi Hydro / Lights / Greenhouses / Accessories section. It might give you some ideas. I have missed WNY food for a really long time. Ted's, Beef on Weck, Anderson's and Pizza. Take Care, Rich

[remo]

OK...Victoria...have you checked the roots yet? I'll bet you that you have a small, or not, case of root rot going. I use several fans to move air around my very small greenhouse but if my roots are impacted in any way it is all for naught. You can get small clip-on fans almost anywhere now which will help with the air circulation but please check the roots first. Good luck1
Remo

[poetiscariot]

Oh, root rot, definitely. The plants that are having trouble are all ones that came from one grower (who does a really good job as a rule) -- they're probably potted well for his conditions but not for mine. The last few days have ended up being hectic but I'll give them each a onceover & probably repot.

I guess I was hoping there was some maker of ultra-quiet small fans out there I hadn't heard of. Having a fan on all the time will drive me nuts -- I know, I'm fussy. My living room is also where I do most my dissertation writing, though, so I forgive myself some fussiness. But if what people do is just to use a regular one, at least I know that and I can get that easy.