Vivi's Orchid Corner

Dear Orchid Friends:

Healthy plants are aided by sound culture habits: proper use of your tools. Make a vow to keep your tools in "tip top shape". Here are some New Year's Resolutions and helpful pointers to start out your year and keep your orchids healthy.

Resolve to use good quality tools. Quality tools work better, cut sharper and last longer. Discard dull clippers and instruments with jagged edges and purchase utensils more frequently if needed. Dull instruments will not provide a clean, sharp cut and may tear your plants. Use separate shears to trim plants and cut stakes and pot clips. Clippers used to cut stakes wear down a bit faster and may have rough edges that are hard on your plants. A sharp knife, scissors, clippers or pruning shears and metal clippers are essential tools of the trade.

Sterilize your tools. Viruses and bacteria are spread by insect vectors and improper hygiene. Sterilize your tools before using and between each plant. Diseases are easily spread from plant to plant if tools are not properly cleaned. Plant sap, debris and bacteria build up on instruments and proper cleaning is a "must" and an essential rule to follow.

Sterilizing Methods:

• Use a torch or butane lighter to sanitize your tools. Heat is an effective method to sterilize tools and inactivate viruses.
• Use rubbing alcohol. Dip your tools into rubbing alcohol prior to use and before they are flamed.
• Dip tools between each plant. This helps to eliminate sap build up as well.
• Use of bleach. Bleach kills microorganisms and disables viruses. Dip/soak your tools in a bleach solution (1 part bleach / 9 parts water) before using and between each plant.
• Trisodium phosphate is another disinfectant. I would be hesitant to use this solution because it is extremely caustic and corrodes metals.
• Plant sap will accumulate on tool blades and therefore you may need to change the solution periodically to keep your solution debris free. Change the solution if you are using a lot of various utensils or have a considerable amount of potting or trimming to perform. Rinse your tools in clean water when finished with maintenance chores.
• Use extreme caution and care when working with these combustible, caustic elements.

Maintain a clean and spotless growing area. Discard wilted flowers, dead leaves, debris. These can transmit diseases. Strive to keep floors, ground clean and free of debris because it can harbor snails and slugs. Keep your plants, shelves, etc., clean and dust free. Keep mold accumulation to a minimum. Remove any standing water in your pots and growing areas. Check your plants and remove any weeds that are growing. Disinfect your growing area with a weak bleach solution or fungicide occasionally throughout the year to prevent the spread of disease. Be diligent about putting tools, materials away and store properly.

Consider using disposable razor blades. Razor blades provide a clean, sharp cut. Razor blades are excellent to use when dividing plants and removing dead psuedobulbs. A good guideline to remember is use one blade per cut or per plant and then discard. The temptation may be to reuse a razor blade, but blades rust and corrode easily after disinfecting. The blades are inexpensive and worth the little extra effort to purchase more blades. They can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store.

Wash your hands! Your hands are another set of tools so treat them accordingly.While you admire and check your orchids, the temptation is to pick off debris and remove old flowers as you move from plant to plant. STOP! Your hands can potentially spread diseases as you touch each of your plants. Wash your hands or rub a dab of rubbing alcohol on them before you touch your plants.

Maintain a clean and sanitary repotting area. When it is time to repot your orchids, keep old and new potting material separated. Avoid having each plant come in contact with the old potting medium to prevent disease or insect infestation. Discard old potting medium properly. Sanitize the repotting surface (table, bench) and in between pottings. Cover the repotting surface with layers of newspaper and discard soiled paper between repottings.

Diligently check your plants throughout the year. Observe for insects, sick plants. Remove affected plants from the others to prevent any infestation. Treat the orchid with necessary insecticide or fungicide as needed. New growth and flower spikes attract insects and are readily susceptible to infestation.

Protect yourself. Use extreme caution with toxic, corrosive material. Fungicides, pesticides, bleach are extremely volatile. Follow manufacturer's instructions for use. Protect yourself and your environment by using fungicides and pesticides only when needed. Disinfecting solutions are flammable and can be toxic to your health. Read instructions and always take those few extra seconds when working with any of these materials. Wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. Your orchids need you to stay healthy as well.

Resolutions mark the beginning of new episodes, time periods, new techniques. Resolve to make a determined effort to learn more about your tools and perfect your techniques. You will learn what works best for you and your growing requirements. As with all goals and resolutions, remember they are fluid and subject to change as needed. In medicine, the use of proper technique and sterilized tools are essential to your health. Vowing to use good culture tips will result in the development of "a wise health-care program" for your orchids.

Happy New Year and may the new year be filled with sharpened tools and techniques!

Until next time,

Vivi