I'm going on hiatus.

[RosieC]

What a shame Carl

I really hope you can find a way to solve the problem, like Ray said maybe the whole growing area needs to be disinfected. I really hope you can find some way to grow them again.

[CTB]

Sorry to lose one of our Florida growers. We do have the perfect conditions for virus and fungi. Hope you'll get it figured out soon and be back in the fold again.

[dounoharm]

akkkk!! what a disaster!!! i know you will get this one figured out eventually....it sucks to lose orchids after putting so much time and effort into growing em....not to mention money! i, like gin, will be happy to donate some of my numerous catts to you once you feel like growing again....i dont have much thats fine or rare, just beautiful plants and flowers that give me joy....let me know when you are ready, and dont be a stranger to the board! keep us posted on the remains of your collection!

[Angurek]

Thanks, everyone.

I'm going to try sterilizing my entire balcony, especially the southern end (where the disease hit the hardest). Unfortunately, I had to throw away most of the infected plants because they were very heavily diseased.

There is some good news, though. The disease doesn't appear to be spreading any further (knock on wood), and I've managed to isolate the surviving plants to keep them healthy. However, I still don't see myself buying any more plants for at least another six to eight months.

I'll keep you posted.

[Lagoon]

Awww Carl, I'm sorry you had to dumped almost all you're orchids - talk about the suck factor - what a crying shame
I'm glad to here about the upswing, and that you still have some remaining orchids to baby and care for, keeps the orchid passion alive.

I don't blame one bit you for taking things slower in the future. Easy does it eh - that's the way.

Don't be a stranger to the board - stay in touch

[RosieC]

Good to hear the remaining ones are doing OK so far. Hope you can beat this thing Carl.

[trdyl]

Carl, Good to hear there were some survivors.

[susiep]

Carl, sorry I didn't see this post sooner. I went through this whole process 2 years ago. Black rot went through my collection because I didn't know what it was at first. It affected many catts and I lost at least 30. I learned with the help of the nice people at Broward Orchid Supply what this was and how to treat it. I found that people mean well when they give you advice but unless you have been hit with one of these very powerful "bugs" you just have no idea!!! Physan and cinnamon are like a slap on the wrist to a murderer. I ended up using a combo of dithane and thiomil repeat in 10 days then every 3 months. It is under control now but I avoid buying catts. It is the combo of cool air and wet that black rot thrives in. So I made a cover for my shade house and really cut back on the winter watering. Also the new growths on catts type plants are like little cups that hold water. Black rot loves that! You can use the Physan as a preventive (but not strong enough to treat) by spraying these new growths with Physan and actually filling up these little growths with it. That was another great suggestion from Sandy at Broward Orchid Supply.

I feel like an expert on this horrible condition now. My collection is back up to 200 and I only see the rot once in a while now. But I can catch it and cut it, spray it, separate it and back off on water and usually that is enough. Good luck and don't give up!

[jrodpad]

Carl,

Sorry to hear that things took such a bad turn with the collection. Given the amount of time, resources and worry that we spend taking care of orchids, I'm not sure that I'd have the pluck to dive right back in after a massive die off. As it is, I sulk more than I should when a single plant dies.

I do hope that it's not a permanent departure from orchids... you've been an amazing resource and inspiration for us newbies.

Best of luck. Do keep us posted.

- J

[vmax3000]

Hi Carl,

I had something similar spread through my greenhouse this summer. We had an unusually wet AND cool spring and I lost a huge number of plants. I used a Bordeaux mix, which worked on the bug, but isn't something one is supposed to use in the heat of summer....well crap. So, more of my collection succumbed to copper toxicity.
I confess that I wanted to surrender the whole thing many times. Everything got yanked out of my greenhouse and I washed down the entire structure. The benches had to be replaced, as did the humidifier. It was frustrating and I felt the outlook was bleak.
I can say, after much effort on my part, several desperate posts on OB and loads of encouragement, the few, the proud, the survivors have managed a come back. The one cymbidium that survived is currently in bloom. There are 2 little oncidium hybrids blooming and some one on OB recently sent me a MESS of catts.
I promise that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a train. I still have to watch my plants, but I will do it. The hobby, for all it's struggles, is so worth it. And, as long as my plants show no further signs of infection, I will share with you, too!