How do you care for a sick orchid?
Often the first sign of a problem with an orchid's culture is an invasion of bugs or bacteria. Pull infected plants and move them away from others IMMEDIATELY!! Keep it away until treatment is complete. The best defense for fungus/bacterial infections is a good offense. We spray foliage monthly with Physan (1 teaspoon/gallon) as a preventative. Pick up an extra bottle of cinnamon in the spice section of your local grocery store and keep it near the orchids. If you cut on a plant, lightly sprinkle it with cinnamon because it is an effective bactericide/fungicide and it's safe to use. Spray with Physan mixed at 1 Tablespoon/gallon if infection sets in. For bugs we start with a GET OFF ME! cinnamon infusion and step up to a 50/50 rubbing alcohol and GET OFF ME! mixture. We like to put a cinnamon stick in the sprayer to increase the efficacy of the solution over time.
In some cases problems can 'go underground' and move from the leaves into the media and onto the roots. If you have a plant that just doesn't seem to recover it could be because trouble is hiding beneath the surface. In these cases, repotting is a good idea and may be the only way to eradicate the problem for good. Sometimes orchids will develop an infestation of what looks like little fruit flies called fungus gnats. These are more than just an annoyance as they feed on tender orchid roots. Natural Fungus Gnat Control is just the ticket for these critters.
Note: If you suspect a virus infection, get the plant tested or destroy it. Most of all, keep it isolated until the verdict is in. Unfortunately, there is no way to visually identify virus from fungus or other damage and no way to cure virus once a plant becomes infected. Because of this, if you do acquire a plant with a virus, it is best to destroy it before the virus is passed on to the rest of the collection.
Use the discovery of a problem to review the plant's culture. Orchids under stress are often very susceptible to bugs and disease in a way that stronger orchids are not. Is there insufficient air movement? Perhaps other plants have gotten the same insect on them? Was a new plant acquired and not quarantined long enough? Were several plants cut on by the same tool without sterilizing in between? Might a nearby house plant be a haven for bugs? Is there too much or too little light?
Please see our page on Orchid Sunburn to see examples of orchid leaves exposed to too much light.
