Each year I try new things in the greenhouse and not just new
orchids. This year it was an old product I thought had been
discontinued, CRC formula 6-56 Marine (in the aquamarine spray can).
Last spring when heaters were turned off, I sprayed all electrical
connections on the heaters and thermostats with this product. We used to
use CRC 6-56 on everything electrical on outboard motors. CRC Marine did
just what I had hoped. Heaters and thermostats worked just as if they
had just been turned off at the end of last year’s cold season. Given
the heat and humidity in the greenhouse all summer, that is a major
accomplishment.
Usually, the first cold snap of the year is brief and allows us to check
our systems whether that is a greenhouse heating system, a cart that
goes into the garage when nights are cold or clearing a table next to a
window for orchids that had been residing outside. Orchids adapt over
time to whatever conditions that had been their environment for the past
several months. Now, your orchids must adjust to a different growing
area and the conditions that go with it. A closed greenhouse dried by
heaters or a house where heaters are running requires an adjustment by
you as the grower, and by your orchids. Be prepared to lose flower buds
on phals or Dendrobiums caused by the change of environment. Don’t
despair if that happens. If you can create some semblance of an
appropriate environment, your orchids will survive. Maintain an
appropriate temperature and humidity and your orchids will at least
survive, although they may not thrive until it is warm enough to move
them back outside in spring.
For my greenhouse this year rots have been unusually tenacious and
difficult to stop, despite using stronger products than normally used.
Years ago, I visited a greenhouse that had lost power for several days
after a hurricane and was told that bacterial rots were everywhere by
the time power was restored and fans were once again running. The
combination of excess heat and 100% humidity is the perfect storm when
it comes to bacteria. Everywhere I looked, there were signs of rot, but
also a light blue stain on leaves, benches, and walls. I was told that
the product of last resort was Kocide, a copper-based product. There are
other copper based products as well, such as Phyton 27.
This year, it became my product of “last resort”, too and it worked as
advertised. Anyone that reaches this point must be aware that this is a
toxic chemical and carefully read the label before using it. Besides the
obvious respirator, care must be taken to avoid contact with the skin as
copper in this form is toxic. Ornamental plants with thin soft leaves
may be harmed or killed and orchids damaged as well if they have new or
soft leaves. The best solution to rots is to prevent them.
The problem for me this year was not just the perfect conditions for
rot, but the fact that my orchids were crowded; one consequence of a
great growing year. Managing an orchid collection is much more than just
finding and buying orchids, but determining what you love best. Many
years ago I remember being so impressed by a hobbyist that provided
orchids for the local society exhibit and every orchid was more
spectacular than the last and all extremely well grown. Most were
miltonia hybrids and all in large baskets. I asked him what other types
of orchids he grew and he said that this was all of them. There are not
many of us that can say every single orchid we grow is grown to
perfection. Obviously, he managed his collection far better than I.