Dear Orchid Doc:

I recall reading some time ago the reason for the split down the centre of the Phalaenopsis orchids, but somehow I cannot remember the reason you gave.

I am faced with this problem now.

Help!

Rohan

Dear Rohan:

The split in the leaf of the Phalaenopsis is thought by many to be genetic and is triggered by dehydration followed by excessive watering. So consistent watering of your orchids is important.

Dear Orchid Doc:

The leaves of my Phalaenopsis look very much like someone took a nail and made small dents all over them, and they are starting to get crooked. Any blooms that appear are also very crooked. Can you diagnose the problem, please?

Marie

Dear Marie:

It sounds as if you have had that mite problem for some time now, and it has turned the plant crooked.

There is an insecticide called Cure that will surely cure the problem. You will need to spray once per week for four to six weeks.

After this you can spray it every two weeks.

Do follow the precautionary measures written on the bottle.

Dear Orchid Doc:

I was really looking forward to seeing my lovely Schomburgkia orchids bloom, but sadly all the buds are drying up before they have come to the blooming stage. I have waited over three years since they were babies, only to be confronted by this distressing situation. They have been sprayed with many different chemicals, but I just cannot get rid of the problem.

Please help.

Merle

Dear Merle:

Schomburgkia orchids are indeed a beautiful species. They take about the same amount of light as Dendrobiums.

I believe that your orchids may be suffering from mites and thrips.

Just as one medication cannot be used to treat every ailment in humans, the same is true of insects. Some insects are the sucking type, some are the biting type and some have to be killed on contact.

Against this background, please get a miticide at the farm store; a good one is Newmectin, and a general (not specific to a particular insect) is Caprid, which takes a bit longer to fix the problem, but which is less expensive.

Good luck.