Orchid Novice

[patricia]

Oh, my gosh! You are all so kind to respond! I hope I'm doing this right! (My computer skills aren't my best virtue!) I'm hoping this goes to all three of you.
Well, I have lost track of the number of orchids that own me. I know it's in the teens somewhere. Orchids enticed me for the first time at the Philadelphia Flower Show several years ago. The show was all orchids. I brought ONE home. Now, if I go to an orchid grower or a "fest" I seem to come home accompanied by three or four.
I have more Phals than anything else. I have two Oncidium and two Cattelayas(sp?).
I have met with enough success to keep my spirits high, but I recently brought home the two Oncidiums (as well as several miniature Phals. from an area Orchidfest, and I am worried that something's wrong with the Oncidiums. Brown spots on the leaves...corrugated leaves. I don't know! All I do know is that I am in a panic, thinking that I should stop buying and focus on becoming more of an expert on whtat I have. I am an eighth grade English teacher, and in several weeks the bulk of my life will be reading novels and grading essays. I simply don't know what I'll do if I have pests or disease.
Hmmm, I do go on, don't I? It's just that I am the only person I know who is an orchidite.
Patricia

[Ross]

Originally Posted by patricia

Oh, my gosh! You are all so kind to respond! I hope I'm doing this right! (My computer skills aren't my best virtue!) I'm hoping this goes to all three of you.
Well, I have lost track of the number of orchids that own me. I know it's in the teens somewhere. Orchids enticed me for the first time at the Philadelphia Flower Show several years ago. The show was all orchids. I brought ONE home. Now, if I go to an orchid grower or a "fest" I seem to come home accompanied by three or four.
I have more Phals than anything else. I have two Oncidium and two Cattelayas(sp?).
I have met with enough success to keep my spirits high, but I recently brought home the two Oncidiums (as well as several miniature Phals. from an area Orchidfest, and I am worried that something's wrong with the Oncidiums. Brown spots on the leaves...corrugated leaves. I don't know! All I do know is that I am in a panic, thinking that I should stop buying and focus on becoming more of an expert on whtat I have. I am an eighth grade English teacher, and in several weeks the bulk of my life will be reading novels and grading essays. I simply don't know what I'll do if I have pests or disease.
Hmmm, I do go on, don't I? It's just that I am the only person I know who is an orchidite.
Patricia

Welcome Patricia. Before retirement I used to do desk-side support of computer problems for a large organization with 6 offices. I can sympathize with your position.

As for your questions, I agree with Shakkai that Oncidium class orchids as well as Brassias and a few others, don't like the leaves misted in hot weather. The "corrugated" or pleated leaves come from lack of steady moisture during early growth stages of the pseudobulbs. I get it occassionally as do lots of other here. It won't go away once it happens - those leaves will be pleated till they die. To avoid it, water more often and more thoroughly. Don't just dribble water in as if you were watering an African Violet. Pour water through the mix liberally for several minutes. I choose to soak mine in a large pail of weak fertilizer mix every third day or so. Mine are in the house. Hope this helps.

[patricia]

Thanks, Ross. I have to admit that I was in something of a panic for the several days leading up to my discovery of the Orchid Board and all of the kind advice I've received. I seem to have gone along for several years without a worry about my orchids; then, all at once I became aware of these questionable "conditions" among my "brood."
I will follow your advice.
Patricia