Smoking is bad... for orchids?

[priz_m]

I am sure that some of us have struggled with space to grow their orchids, and well I am no exception, my babies have found a home in a windowsill near the kitchen sink, the same window that everybody in my house smokes at . I personally don't smoke and I am always trying to get them away from the window, because I am under the impression that it harms my 'chids .

Now, does it? I know they clean the air and all, but will they be stressed or overworked if they are blowing smoke at them for some hours a day?

Thank you for the input. And between you and I I hope you say yes so I can get everyone to stay away from them and/or even better... quit smoking

[quiltergal]

I can't imagine that being covered with a layer of nicotine would be good for them. Ewww!

[priz_m]

I know Terri and I do pretty good job keeping them away from my 'chids when I'm there, but when I'm not the thougth kills me.

[jkofferdahl]

The biggest concern is, as I understand it, has nothing to do with nicotene or second-hand smoke, at least as we usually consider it. That said, of course, tobacco smoke does leave a film on things, which is why the car windows of smokers always seem to be glazed white. Also, cigarette smoke is worse than smoke from pipes or cigars because it contains numerous additives - many, many more, and a dramatically higher percentage, than pipe or cigar tobacco.

But as I understand it the real culprit in the smoke is, as I said, not the presence of the various things we usually hear about, such as nicotine, or tars, or even the additives. Rather, tobacco mosaic virus is quite similar, possibly the same, as orchid mosaic viruses. Apparently the combustion of tobacco isn't always hot enough to destroy the virus, and thus it can become airborne in the smoke. Now, all of that said it is also my understanding (notice how I keep using this weasel phrase?) that the chances of the virus spreading from smoking tobacco into orchids is extremely slim. My guess is that if there is a fan running in the window for exhaust, your orchids are going to far outlive the smokers around them.

[bonsai1504]

it can cause bud drop on some orchids. it happened to one of mine that i decided to take outside for some fresh air(although the air now is not so fresh)

[priz_m]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

The biggest concern is, as I understand it, has nothing to do with nicotene or second-hand smoke, at least as we usually consider it. That said, of course, tobacco smoke does leave a film on things, which is why the car windows of smokers always seem to be glazed white. Also, cigarette smoke is worse than smoke from pipes or cigars because it contains numerous additives - many, many more, and a dramatically higher percentage, than pipe or cigar tobacco.

But as I understand it the real culprit in the smoke is, as I said, not the presence of the various things we usually hear about, such as nicotine, or tars, or even the additives. Rather, tobacco mosaic virus is quite similar, possibly the same, as orchid mosaic viruses. Apparently the combustion of tobacco isn't always hot enough to destroy the virus, and thus it can become airborne in the smoke. Now, all of that said it is also my understanding (notice how I keep using this weasel phrase?) that the chances of the virus spreading from smoking tobacco into orchids is extremely slim. My guess is that if there is a fan running in the window for exhaust, your orchids are going to far outlive the smokers around them.

Well that certainly is a relief, and yes the leaves on my phals looked "dusty" and I cleaned them this morning and the white film was though to get off... grrr I'll just keep telling them not to smoke near them... for their sake.

And thank you cullenperry for your insight, at this point I have only one tiny bud, i hope it stays undisturbed.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by priz_m

Well that certainly is a relief, and yes the leaves on my phals looked "dusty" and I cleaned them this morning and the white film was though to get off... grrr I'll just keep telling them not to smoke near them... for their sake.

And thank you cullenperry for your insight, at this point I have only one tiny bud, i hope it stays undisturbed.

Yeah, watch a smoker cleaning it from car windows. Takes a LOT of elbow grease!

[Rosim_in_BR]

My two cents... I second Jkofferdahl. I just wanted to add that maybe tobacco smoke is not enough to transmit TMV, but smokers' hands sure are. I read some studies on that subject clearly demonstrating that smokers' hands are really dangerous for orchids. I have two orchid friends that quit smoking when I told them about this.

[priz_m]

Thank you Mauro, fortunatelly they don't touch my orchids, although one of them serenades them with a guitar (sooo sweet!) but I'll ask them politely to not come in contact with them.