Help needed for my new (replacement) mtdm

[Liz]

Okay, I tossed the potentially virus-infected mtdm and bought two mtdms at Trader Joes to make up for it. Rational, no? They're mtdms, so I wasn't breaking any rules.

One is a Pupukea Sunset 'Alba', and it has very little healthy root structure left. I'd take it back, but it was the only one and it's really interesting looking (yellow/green/white), so I'm going to try to save it. It's in Physan and Superthrive right now and I'm going to repot it.

My question is, will sphagnum help it grow new roots? Ordinarily, I'd put it in bark, but since the roots are so sickly, I was wondering if sphagnum would be better.

TIA
Liz

[OrchidTraci]

Okay, I tossed the potentially virus-infected mtdm and bought two mtdms at Trader Joes to make up for it. Rational, no? They're mtdms, so I wasn't breaking any rules.

One is a Pupukea Sunset 'Alba', and it has very little healthy root structure left. I'd take it back, but it was the only one and it's really interesting looking (yellow/green/white), so I'm going to try to save it. It's in Physan and Superthrive right now and I'm going to repot it.

My question is, will sphagnum help it grow new roots? Ordinarily, I'd put it in bark, but since the roots are so sickly, I was wondering if sphagnum would be better.

TIA
Liz

I would put it in the smallest pot possible. This may mean setting the little pot in a big one to it doesn't tip over. And I would use sphag moss. Don't pack it in to tight though or it will get suffocated. Hope that helps.

[Liz]

Thank you Traci! I've had luck saving phals in sphagnum, but I've never used it for oncids or dends. I'm off to repot.

[orchidaddict789]

You can put it in sphag! It works . The phal that lost most of its roots (rot) has finally put out two new roots! It's been in sphag for three months. Don't give up. Orchids are quite tough plants...really.

[Nobody]

Not to scare you, but you may want to find out why that particular plant may have gotten infected. I posted somewhere, but Moir mentions that Milt. warscewiczii is susceptible to virus. Given the fact that there are many viruses out there and I have no idea which one they mentioned, this may not hold the truth. But if the previous plant was infected on your bench (or whatever) there may be something harboring the virus nearby. And vectors as well.

Here's what I noticed:
Despite what I wrote above, Mtdm. Hawaiian Sunset (Pupukea Sunset x Milt. warscewiczii) on my (not mine really, though) bench do not show viral symptoms. This does not necessarily mean the plant is resistant, though. But considering the fact the plant is 3/4 Milt. warscewiczii, it is somewhat encouraging. No?

I suspect the virus we have in our university greenhouse is Impatiens necrotic ringspot virus or tomato spotted wilt virus. It is partly because thrips transmit these virus, and we have a serious thrips problem. And we do have Impatiens necrotic ringspot infection in some of the greenhouse range. Another reason is that our orchid collection is loacted among house plants, bedding plants, etc. They are very frequently a reservoir of these virus.

I am thinking to use Dyna Gro's Pro-tekt to give some protection to plants, but haven't used this yet. I am little skeptical as usual

[Jmoney]

this may be a little off subject; i apologize. but i needed to get this off my chest: I HATE CUCUMBERS.

[Cinderella]

I don't like cucumbers either. Or celery. Did a cucumber attack you?

[Jmoney]

no, i saw all this talk about cucumbers and their viruses. i can't say i like either. pickles are ok though. and celery + exercise gives me an allergic reaction. so no talk about celery mosaic virus either!

[Heather]

(Hey! Where's Mr. On Topic??) I had very tasty sushi last night, called Naruto, which is like a cali roll, but no rice, and instead of wrapping in the nori, it is wrapped in cucumber. Very yummy and refreshing in such hot drippy humid weather! (If the plants didn't *love* it I'd be complaining more.) Normally, I don't really enjoy cukes either.

Poor Liz, we hijacked her thread again!

[Jmoney]

i always say, better hijacking a thread than hijacking a plane.

that reminds me, i need to get myself uptown and get some sushi...some of the best sushi in the city, all you can eat for 18 bucks. (+ tax + tip + sake)