Dear Orchid Doc:

I have a huge collection of all kinds of orchids. I have noticed since February what’s obviously some kind of disease on my Phalaenopsis and Cattleya… indeed almost all of my orchids have been affected. I saw your article in the Jamaica Observer and was wondering if you could help me. I have lost more than 50 orchids.

I never had such diseases on my orchids, so I really don’t know what to do.

I live in Haiti, by the way, up in the mountains.

I hope I will get an answer from you soon. My orchids are my life.

Best regards,

— Regina

Dear Regina:

You made no mention of using any insecticide and fungicide. These plants should be sprayed either once per week or once every two weeks. This depends on how many orchids you have and whether they are all sick.

I get the impression you have had them for a long time. Your recent hurricane would most likely bring disease – the result of a lot of breeze. This has been my own personal experience with hurricanes.

Newmectin and Ridomil would be a good combination to use for four to six weeks. By then they should be good, after which you can start to spray every other week.

If you cannot get Newmectin, please ask the farm store for a chemical that treats mites, thrips and a fungicide without copper.

Your orchids should be much better within a few weeks.