Burrageara nelly isler VERY SICK - Orchid Board

C.Mossiae · #1 11-23-2010, 04:44 PM

Hello,
Hopefully someone can help me out saving my beautiful burrageara. I've had it for almost a year; it has flowered twice this year. After it's last flowering (about 3 months ago) problems started:
- It had scale and/or mealybugs: I removed pest with cotton buds dipped in alcohol and sprayed with neem oil several times. Had to cut off a lot of leaves that just died. Sprayed a bit of insecticide once because I was desperate. Pest is gone now. Or so it seems.
- We have continued to fertilize (once every 2 months approx) with an orchid fertilizer and added a bit of calcium about a month ago.
- Then it just continued to kind of "rot"; as you can see in the picture the bulbs look like they have rotten or are on it's way of rotting.
- I water once/twice a week and am now spraying with water every day so it doesn't dry (it's in bark).
- We only have north and west windows; west has good sun in the afternoon but don't know if it's good for her; she doesn't seem to be liking anything now.
- I just changed her to the north window even though there won't be much light there. I have fluorescent lamps where all my orchids are but I'm afraid that she could be contagious...

Is there anything I could do to save her?

Zoi2 · #2 11-23-2010, 05:01 PM

Do you have any good roots left?
Joann

C.Mossiae · #3 11-23-2010, 05:02 PM

Don't know if I have any good roots left...should I repot and see what's in there?

camille1585 · #4 11-23-2010, 05:03 PM

Hi, Welcome to OrchidBoard!
Unfortunately at this point the plant looks to be a goner. All of the bulbs are infected by whatever that is, and there are no visible new growths from which the plant could 'restart'. Any roots left on it?

C.Mossiae · #5 11-23-2010, 05:35 PM

Thanks.
In the picture you can see the roots...
Anything to be done?

camille1585 · #6 11-23-2010, 05:40 PM

Doesn't seem like there are any viable roots left.

C.Mossiae · #7 11-23-2010, 05:53 PM

If there were viable roots left what would you do?

Zoi2 · #8 11-23-2010, 11:05 PM

If you had a viable root or two, I would suggest repotting in a good fresh media.
If you had at least 1 green bulb, I would suggest water culture to get some root growth.
I don't believe either of these methods will help your plant now. I'm sorry, but I believe it's time to get another plant and start fresh.
Joann

RosieC · #9 11-24-2010, 06:52 AM

Sorry to say I agree that your plant is probably beyond saving.

Don't give up on orchids. Nelly Isler is a gorgeous one so I would get another if I were you, along with a another orchid you fancy. I always think you should console yourself over the loss of an orchid buy getting two replacements

Gin · #10 11-24-2010, 10:47 AM

Afraid the others are right looks like rot probably because of the roots not being good at lot of times it starts there and takes over..