Dear Orchid Doc:

Help! My orchids are sick. The undersides of the Dendrobium leaves are dark brown and the stain won’t rub off. Can you tell me what to do, please?

— Kay

Dear Kay:

You seem to have what is known as orchid rust. Please use 2 tsps of Topsin with 1 tsp of Caprid. In a gallon of water. Spray once per week, preferably when it is cool, as the sun will cause the chemical to burn the leaves. This you will do for four weeks. After the four weeks you will need to do it every two weeks for two months, then go back to your regular routine. When using the Topsin as a preventative, use 1 tsp instead. Your plants should be better within four weeks, but the old rust will not come off the leaves unless you pick them off. The idea is to stop it from spreading.

Dear Orchid Doc:

I see the older cane of my Dendrobiums growing small plants. Can I take them off and plant them?

— DW

Dear DW:

When you see your older Dendrobium cane growing lots of plantlets (keikis), oftentimes it means the orchid isn’t getting enough light. You can pot these plantlets when they develop roots.

Dear Orchid Doc:

How do I know when to repot my orchids?

— SS

Dear SS:

Firstly, always remember that when pots are too big, your plants will concentrate on growing roots to fill the pot before they start to grow upwards. Having said that, you need to repot when any of the following occurs: 1 The medium has turned into mush; will cause fungus. 2 The roots have walked out of the pot. 3 Plants keep toppling over, being top-heavy.

DEAR DOC with BETTY ASHLEY Betty Stephenson Ashley Betty’s Landscaping, Farm Garden Supplies 161 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8 Telephone: 1 (876) 322-4585, 870-0191, 931-8804, 755-2204 Fax: 1 (876) 931-8805 betty-may2@ hotmail.com Q Q