bad to worse in my greenhouse - be nice

[vmax3000]

Good grief. It's been so humid, here. I have been fighting rot...left and right, and loosing plants, despite my efforts. I have tried "drying" the greenhouse (turning off the cooler, which just makes it hot AND muggy). I tried a cinnamon mix to no avail. I made bordeaux mix and applied it. To my horror, I discovered that some of my pleuros as well as a gongora and a coryanthes were sensitive to it and dropped all of their leaves. I didn't want to post this, as I am so frustrated and fragile, that I would take any perceived criticism as personal....then, this morning, as I am picking up the flood of dead leaves off of the bench, I notice a plant up-rooted and another plant toppled and then, one of my big ones all chewed up. I start cleaning up and something darts out from this big pile of sphagnum and leaves... THERE'S A BLOODY RAT IN MY GH. I am at the point of fire bombing the whole thing. If someone can talk me in off of the ledge, please do.

[Swamper]

Breathe, relax, breathe...I'm sorry for everything that is happening but what's done is done. Take inventory of what's still good and take it out of there for starters. Then relax some more and try to think clearly of what you want to do next. Do you have fans in there? Need to get some fresh air in there I think. What is in there that a rat might want to eat? I have heard that they will go after some fertilizers but I don't know if it's true.

[calvin_orchidL]

I agree - take a breather, take inventory of what is good and salvageable and start from there. The worst things can happen unexpectedly to even the best growers. I don't own a greenhouse so I can't offer you any good advice. I would take the plants out of there, because bacterial rot can spread, and let them air out a bit outside. Can you throw up a quick rig with some shadecloth? Not sure what the weather conditions in Texas are like.

Best of luck, and please don't be afraid to share - what you learn from this horrid experience may help others in the future.

[vmax3000]

Hey Swamper,
Yeah, I have had two fans running in there at full speed. It's been getting close to the century mark here and the humidity is beyond high for around here. Normally ~45-50%, but this year, it's been higher and this is my second year with a cooler in my greenhouse (cools and humidifies, which was a boon last year...and most of my local grower friends have done so well with theirs, that my spousal unit built me one).

The rat chewed up a huge M. tenufolia and used all of the fresh sphag out of a NOID Phal to combine with the leaves of the Max and made a nest under one of my bulbos that's in a tray. It was dusty brown and not huge, but big enough. I've gone out there and kicked the benches and used a small rake to gently tease out the mess of media from within the bulbo leaves.

The rot was so depressing. I noticed it after we returned from a July 4th trip. We weren't gone but 4 days and, in that time it killed my little Masd. zahlbruckneri, a M. impostor and a Sophronitis cernua, among others that I was fond of. I had had these in my collection for 5 or more years.... I had an automatic watering system on a timer to take care of the greenhouse...and boy did it ever.

I am just sick with sadness...and then, seeing red over the rat.

[Swamper]

Vanessa, get them out like Calvin said. You need to disinfect that greenhouse somehow and start over. I know you're sad but you'll rebuild stronger and better than ever.

[Izzie]

Swamper is right.
This too shall pass.
Take everyone out of there that is saveable, get them someplace safe. Make sure they're watered how they need to be, get whatever ailment they have treated. Get a cheap rat/mouse trap in there. I've found that plain old peanut butter works for a bait.

And just take a step back. Chill out for a day or so, just leave them alone and take some time for yourself.
I'm sure everyone here has had something similar happen- it's just how life goes.

Close your eyes, take some deep breaths.
And tell yourself- chill. Wigging out is not going to help you, or your plants. What's done is done. What you do now is fix it. Don't dwell on the negative of it all. Focus on what has survived, and what you have control over. Find a positive in there that you can focus on.

We are here to support you.

[vmax3000]

Thanks, guys. I whipped in there and cleared one bench, filled the power sprayer with simple green and sprayed down the bench, walls and ceiling. It's brutal hot, so I am taking a break. The other half will be done, shortly. I am thinking of leaving the plants out on the covered back porch tonight and let the greenhouse air out really well.

The saga began early for me. I fertilized early this spring and the aphids moved in with a vengence. They brought their little shepherds (ants). The white flies soon joined the party. From there, the black mold that accompanies the honeydew appeared. Dang, this has NOT been my year for the greenhouse. It really begins to feel like I should just quit the plants, altogether. I think the rat had found a feast in my nearby compost heap....no more kitchen scraps out there, if that's true.

Okay, a little more rest in the cool house, and then, back out to the gh.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by vmax3000

Dang, this has NOT been my year for the greenhouse. It really begins to feel like I should just quit the plants, altogether.

Read our posts again, everything's going to sort itself out.

[bellini girl]

I have no words of wisdom to offer. Hope everything settles down for you.. and continue to take loooooooong breaths and lastly...DEATH TO THE MANGY RODENT. I hope his food supply dries up

[vmax3000]

Izzie,
I love your Albert Schweitzer quote!
Lecent,
I fear I have been the inadvertent feed supply

Again, thanks for the perspective. I am sitting here looking out of a sliding glass door on the remnants of my collection residing on the back porch. I will keep telling myself that it will be okay!!