One of my most prized plants, B. nodosa Big Jim has been losing leaves right and left this week. They start with a dark stripe up the mid-rib and then the leaves turn yellow and drop. Sometimes the dark color suffuses out to brown blotches.

This is a big, very vigorous plant that has devoured its second slat basket in 3 years. A huge mass of roots in the middle there to harbor all sorts of evils . .

Could this be the Erwinara bacterial infection? I already did the H2O2 douse on it for that, figured it couldn't hurt. Anyone else got an idea?

I hope someone will know what's going on, Elaine. I would love to know myself just for reference.

I'm just back from the orchid show and am trying to sort through purchases and pictures but thought this more important. Elaine, at first glance, this looks more like Guignardia Leaf Spot than Erwinia or Pythium. The lesions running parallel to the vains is a big clue. You can fight this with Captan or Mancozeb.

Jim

Thanks so much, Jim. Can't wait to see your goodies from the show!

I had to make a Lowe's run this afternoon anyway, so I'm glad I waited and will pick up some Captan or Mancozeb while there. (ick, but necessary, I don't want to lose this one)

Thanks from me too, Jim. I am going to copy those pictures and have the Guignardia Leaf Spot label and treatment on them for future reference.

Done!

Update on Big Jim: thankfully the peroxide douse I did when I first discovered this blight seems to have stopped it! I went and bought some Captan, but didn't get a chance to treat the plant with it before I got wrapped up in the regatta. When I finally got to have a day off yesterday, the plant had a few more dead leaves but nothing new showing up, so that is a big relief.

Will keep an eye on it and treat with Captan if the symptoms re-appear, for sure. Maybe it was just the "threat" that did it?

Sounds good! I for one would sure miss your nice plant.

Yes, and I've been promising a division to 'our' Jim for a while now, so must keep it alive at least until it can donate a limb or two.

That's right, I have personal interest in this plant.

Jim