|
|
Post by Dr Bill on Jan 6, 2007 18:22:24 GMT
One of Mrs Bill's orchids has developed a sort of fuzzy white residue at its base. It can be wiped off with a bit of diffculty but it goes right down into the base of the leaves. The plant seems otherwise healthy apart from one or two brown leaves (which I have cut off). It has thrown up a flower stalk, although I note that the buds have gone brown and dry looking.
Can anyone advise what the problem might be and how to tackle it?
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jan 6, 2007 18:27:32 GMT
I have no idea without seeing the plant but the first thing that comes to mind is that it has been watered too much which unfortunately is very easy with Orchids.
Also I have found that when in bud especially, Orchids do not like being moved and do not like any kind of draft.
I think that this is also one of the problems that can happen when people buy Orchids in Supermarkets, (warmer than a GC normally) as they are in flower/bud and then they are taken outside and moved around and they are not happy about it and lose the rest of the buds.
Rosefriend
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2007 18:40:02 GMT
Where is the Orchid kept drbill?  |
|
|
|
Post by Dr Bill on Jan 6, 2007 18:42:23 GMT
At the moment it is on a shady windowsill in the kitchen
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2007 18:45:04 GMT
Sounds a good place, as they don't like the sun - but where did you keep it while all the building work was going on? |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jan 6, 2007 18:45:15 GMT
drbill - I don't suppose it could have something to do with all the work that you have been having done?
It will have been moved here, there and everywhere and also exposed perhaps to drafts and and and.....
Only a thought..
Rosefriend
|
|
|
|
Post by Dr Bill on Jan 6, 2007 19:01:19 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jan 6, 2007 19:19:01 GMT
OOh drbill that is a lovely bit of rot - you do have problems - it is a Cymbidium isn't it?
Lovely - had one for years - binned it in the end - it looked like yours unfortunately.
It could be water but it could also be a fungus or a fungus that is derived from too much water - I will look in my little book. I do hope someone else has an idea.
I do know that Cymbidium do not want to be too warm in Winter once they have buds on - the buds tend to fall off as you have said.
I find that it is a problem in a house in winter - so many plants need to be cooler for winter and one cannot sit and freeze because of an Orchid - well I don't fancy it anyway....
Rosefriend
|
|
|
|
Post by andy on Jan 7, 2007 13:31:00 GMT
It certainly is a cymbidium but the "white mould" looks like mealy bug to me. Any one of the "natural" pesticides such as the ones made from fatty acids should easily wipe those out....but get on it soon as they spread and can make a horrible mess.
|
|
|
|
Post by grannyjanny on Jan 7, 2007 21:28:23 GMT
I am very excited. We have a sort of garden room (general dumping ground). Last year I visited a friend who had managed to get cymbidium to flower by putting it outside all the previous summer & bringing it in in the autumn. I put mine out last summer. It got waterlogged as I left it in its plant pot holder. Autumn it went into the unheated garden room & was completely ignored. Last week I went to water it & there were 2 spikey things on it. Today I went water it again & the spikey things are flower spikes. Does this mean you need to treat them mean to keep them keen?
Janet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2007 8:09:14 GMT
From my book House Plants by Dr. D. G. Hyessayon -
MOULD ON LEAVES
Cause: Mildew may develop if the leaves are thoroughly misted under cool conditions and the water does not quickly evaporate.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dutchy on Jan 8, 2007 18:35:18 GMT
It is hard to tell from the picture. There appear to be round mealy bugs in there but some fungus as well.
If it is mealy bugs you will find it all over the roots as well and that is the end of the orchid. I had to dump all 7 Orchids I had on my kitchen window sill. Once they got one before I noticed it, it was within two years end of story for all. I did try cleaning the roots but all it takes is some left over eggs.
In case you want to try cleaning the roots. Use lukewarm water ( a bit cooler is better ) not cold the shock will kill them. Don't use chemicals that enter the plants system through said roots.
The Orchids real root is the minute string inside the bigger watercollecting fat root. If you damage the outside, not too bad but try not to break or damage the inner real root.
Good luck
Dutchy
|
|
