Hello Nic and other orchid enthusiasts -
I believe the fungus (or bacteria) that I personally
dealt with after our previous hurricane affected
primarily the plants with broad, succulent leaves
(like Phalaenopsis), and I do believe that it was
caused by the damage of high-velocity dust, sand and
other debris.
We have heard of some wind-borne fungus blowing in
from the south (New Orleans and the coast) that
attacks oncidium-alliance plants and causes them to
rot from the ground up. Luckily (or not), I have no
talent for oncidiums, and they die before I finish
writing my check.
Re: plants in horse manure - my cymbidiums are in 100%
HM, and could not be healthier or happier. The roots
are impressive, and they bloom enthusiastically. These
are tough plants, and I don't worry about fungus.
I have catasetums, cycnoches and that type of plant in
a mix of about half HM and half coarse gravel. Nic,
you've asked me why the addition of gravel - I grow
these plants in plastic pots, and the gravel helps to
keep them upright in slight wind. I will treat these
with fungicide simply because the leaves seem rather
fragile, and might be liable to injury from the
hurricane-force winds.
I do expect to lose a few plants; however, following
Hurricane Lili in 2002, a number of orchids bloomed
impressively - I speculate that some 'survival'
hormores were triggered by the abuse they took!
Regards - Nancy
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"A computer once beat me at chess, but
it was no match for me at kick boxing."
--------Emo Philips
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