Tragedy in the growing area!

A few days ago as I was looking at the plants, an activity I frequently employ when I am trying to avoid actual work, I noticed one of my most prized divisions looked sick. It is a cutting of C. rex, a plant I had wanted for some time before I broke down and bought this cutting. The oldest psuedobulb of the three had signs of black rot, a problem I have not had before.

 

I spoke with the grower who I got it from and he advised I cut the sick part ASAP, so I did. When I pulled it from the pot the roots looked very healthy.

 

I then looked up the treatment in A.E Chadwick’s book The Classic Cattleya’s, and he advised hydrogen peroxide, so I did that as well. Then to top it all off I put some fungicide on it. I figure all that attention will either save it soundly or kill it quickly. As of now I have not potted it back up. It is bare root and I thought of keeping it this way or in a pot of rocks until it starts to make new roots, but I have no justification as to why. Seem that this plant got too cold and wet, as that is most frequently cited reason for its cause. Not sure if the sphagnum played a role in all this, but either way I am likely too chicken to put it back in it. I am really pulling for this plant, I hope it pulls through.

The Winter Growing Area

The Winter Growing Area

I have for years now wanted a greenhouse, but alas I have not the space or time for one. Until that changes, I grow outside under a shade tent in the summer and move things in for the winter. My house has an enclosed brick patio with floor to ceiling windows and lots of light. There is a “gravel sink” between the glass and the brick so it makes watering nice.

The winters are cold in my area, the lows have been in the teens the last week and the heat has been on full time. The room is heated from a gas furnace, and it saps the moisture out of the air really quickly. I keep two humidifiers going full time but struggle to keep the humidity around 50%. I keep the low temp above 55 in the winter (average is 58) and like to see the high temp  in the 80’s, but I have to have a sunny day to help get me there. On an overcast day I am lucky to see 65.

There looks to be move in my future, and I would love to build a greenhouse at the next house. I will be staying in VA, but like going further west in the state and the temp will be cooler than where I am now. If anyone other has any insight into greenhouse construction, selection, or any other advice I would love to hear it.

I stole this last photo from the internet, but I would love to have this greenhouse……..