I'm going on hiatus.

[Angurek]

I decided that I'm going to put the orchid growing hobby on hiatus until further notice.

I'm doing this because I've lost about 75% of my collection to a nasty erwinia (and fungal) outbreak that I haven't been able to control. I have a reason to believe that this is a super bug - no remedies work. I've tried everything from cinnamon to listerine to big guns like Phyton 27, and nothing works. It always starts the same way - little brown blotches appear near the crowns of the plants, on new leads, that spread and eventually cause the growth to damp off. The infection then spreads to the rest of the plant, and I end up with a leafless stump.

It would be useless to add any more plants to my collection at this point because they'd get infected in a matter of weeks. Because my space is confined, the infections spread rapidly. I had perfectly healthy plants that were disease-free one day, and then losing leaves the next.

Of the 36 or so orchids that I originally had, only 9 healthy plants remain. The rest are either dead, diseased, or beginning to show signs of necrosis.

You have no idea how much it sucks to have to trash your favorite plants, or how frustrating it is to have spent hundreds of dollars on plants that ended up dying untimely deaths. I also can't explain the feeling of hopelessness that I get when I find a newly infected plant, because I know it's only a matter of time until it succumbs.

I still can't figure out how this disease got into my collection, since I'm very careful not to pick up diseased plants. Either way, I won't be buying orchids for at least a year or two until I can completely sanitize my growing area. I'm thinking about giving my healthy plants to someone who will take good care of them, but I'm not sure if I should or not, since I don't want to pass this godforsaken disease to another grower.

Oh, well. The hobby was fun while it lasted, and I've met some awesome people because of it. Unfortunately, this is where I say "no more," at least until I find a concrete solution. I guess the only way I'll be able to enjoy orchids now is by looking at pictures of them. If I can't grow healthy plants, I'll enjoy looking at other people's plants.

[Call_Me_Bob]

D: im so sorry, and i really feel for you. I cant even imagine having to do that. but dont worry, your a trooper!

[camille1585]

Man, that's really tough luck... The disease really likes warm and humid weather, so when you do start up orchid growing again, you should consider adding some fans to your growing area, if you haven't done that already. Maybe that would allow you to at least keep the 9 remaining plants... Try to space them out so they get plenty of air circulation, and avoid getting any water on the leaves.

Don't get discouraged, things like this happen to the best of us. Clean up, give it a few months, figure out what changes to make to your grow area, and then get some more orchids.

[ELORCHID]

I'm sorry you have to give op the hobby for the time being, but things happen for a reason. I'm sure you'll have an even better collection in no time, I'm sure everyone in this board can sympathize with you in one form or another.

[Connie Star]

I'll just add my deep sympathy. Hopefully you will have a healthy start again in a few months.

[Gin]

I am so sorry Carl, I heard of a super bug , a member of the Orchid Society of the Ozarks mentioned it long time ago it is a fast killer he picked up plants that were shipped , took one look and threw them out then sterilized his trunk . When ready to start again let us know I am sure we can help out, I will if I have anything you would like . Gin

[silken]

So sorry to hear of your frustrating problem with the orchids. It's bad enough when one plant dies for what seems like no reason, never mind many. I don't think I would give your remaining ones away. Just in case the bacteria or whatever is lying in wait on them. Can you move them to an entirely different part of your home? Sanitize the entire growing area and after 6 months, bring them back. Start with them and see if they survive and if they do, Wooppee! Then try adding new ones as you find must haves.

[trdyl]

Sorry to hear about your loss. But, I am sure you'll get it figured out.

[Ray]

Erwinia can be a pretty nasty pathogen, and it is ubiquitous, to boot. The problem may be rooted in the growing environment, not just the plants.

Have you tried saturating the confined space with Physan? No kidding, benches, walls, floor to ceiling.

[BikerDoc5968]

I'd agree with Ray! I use the "sister" to Physan, SA-20 and have had major improvement in crown rot and other problems that seemed to kill things faster than I could bring them into the greenhouse. air circulation I think has also improved things for me. If you or know someone that belongs to Sam's Club, they have a similar disinfectant, G-Force?, that contains 4 different quarternial ammonia compounds that I use to alternate with SA-20. It is designed for hospital use and has never harmed any of my chids.