Neo Desases & problems

[ramp]

Hi,

As you all know I'm working on the Neo-Base project; a database that lists as many as possible Neo species and varieties. Next to all this info there will be sections on care, naming, reporting, etc.
First the FREE site will be launched, hopefully in a few weeks, thanks to all contributors so far.
However since I am not an authority on diseases and related problems, I could really use your help.
Everything on your experience on diseases with Neofinetia and its problems, solutions, products or what you use to remedy the problem would be helpful.
All contributors will be credited by name.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[MattWoelfsen]

Hello Marc.

So far, there have been only two concerns I've had regarding disease or pest.

The first are bugs. Earwigs seem to find a home in the high mounds. These are easy to eliminate, just soak the plant in some mild insecticide or Neem oil and they crawl right out and try to escape. The other insect is Mealy Bugs. This pest is harder to eradicate. I use insecticide soap. It takes three to four weekly treatments. Any kind of insecticide on flower stalks is immediate death of that spike.

Another malady that has appeared on several plants. It happened in the winter to my Nishidemiyako. A brown spot first appeared on one of the top leaves and it spread thought out the leaf and it died. But another central leaf has grown in its place and it appears healthy. I have used Thiomyl, a systemic fungicide.

My biggest summer challenge has been cool days, a lot of rain, and cool nights. My Neofinetia have been outside but I find my self moving them back inside my covered, screen porch to allow the plants to dry out. August in Fort Wayne is usually hot and dry. This year we have not seen any day temperatures going to 90*F. With the cool nights and wet pots due to rain. I'm afraid these plants will start rotting, hence migration back inside at night fall.

This picture represents two plants that have developed this spotting. The plant on the left, Hagoromo 羽衣, developed a black spot that has slowly spread and darkened. The plant on the right is Suruga Tenzan 駿河天山, it started developing a yellow spot, that turns brown. The leaf will eventually be consumed by this decay and die.

[ramp]

Thanks for the info Matt, hope more replies follow.

[cbuchman]

I've had some problem with sunburn, especially when the leaves hold a spot of water. SO I have a coupl eof marred leaves.

Have you been in touch with New World Orchids? They specialize on Neos. (this is the company founded by Ron Midgett)

Good luck with your database!

[ramp]

Originally Posted by cbuchman

I've had some problem with sunburn, especially when the leaves hold a spot of water. SO I have a coupl eof marred leaves.

Have you been in touch with New World Orchids? They specialize on Neos. (this is the company founded by Ron Midgett)

Good luck with your database!

Certainly, Talk to Kristen on a regular basis.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by cbuchman

Have you been in touch with New World Orchids? They specialize on Neos. (this is the company founded by Ron Midgett)

Correction: You're thinking of New Earth Orchids (no neos as far as I know). New World Orchids was founded by Dr. Glenn Lehr and his late wife, Maria.

[MattWoelfsen]

And Who is on first? LOL!

[ramp]

What the heck,

I understood who he was talking about.

JayFar, give me your info please.

[s.kallima]

I find Neofinetia to be prone to getting infected with Fusarium and similar fungus.
I have had some in my collection for a couple of years now (either coming from a new purchase already infected or by contact with Laelia species carrying the disease). It starts from the roots, drying up, then the leaves shrivel ( they close along the median axle) and later turn brown. The plant dies in a few weeks or months.
The only thing I found to stop or at least slow down the disease is to use a systemic fungicide which can be hard to find in some countries due to regulations.

Like most other orchids, it is also quite easy to kill a Neofinatia with black rot... Just spray it regularly in combination with a lack of ventilation and you'll get a dead Neo in a matter of days... I hope you feel the sarcasm, as I have a "good" experience with black rot and some of my most precious Neofinetia RIP

[MattWoelfsen]

Thank you for posting your information regarding Fusarium, s.kallima. I have one plant, Beniboushi 紅法師that I acquired back in October. It had three fans. In December, one of the fans started wilting--as you described. I removed this fan and repotted the other two healthy fans. I thought it was okay, but just this past Sunday, I noticed a second fan doing the same. I unpotted it and put it in a small grow camp. The roots were all black. The third fan is still green, it is putting up a small leaf. I did not know what this was, so I am going to apply a systemic fungicide to it when I get home. I hope I can save the third fan.