Hi Ray - I've been fighting this fungus after a couple of back-to-back hurricanes - though I felt sure it was fungal, all the 'experts' in my orchid society swore it was mite damage. So I spent a couple of fruitless years trying every miticide available with no effect. However, opinions aside, I've been treating with Mancozeb, and the spreading has stopped, though the affected leaves will always be unattractive. My theory is spores traveling at 100mph+ blown into the foliage. You might have gotten some of that in south FL. It doesn't affect the flowers, thankfully, but the oldest affected leaves have a texture like an emery board. My info says, "Sanitize plant, reduce leaf wetness. Use captan, ferbam, mancozeb or thiophanate methyl based fungicides. Repeat applications are necessary." I think one reason I started with the Mancozeb is that it was available in a reasonable size and price. Don't remember which, but one of them was 1/2 pint and over $100. Ouch! Good luck - Nancy

Thanks brooke, altair and jodi! Altair - I think the hardest part of the entire process is the deflasking and keeping the seedlings alive part! I was intimidated at first too, but the process is not incredibly complex and once you have them in flask, you just sit them there without a care for months and months, and the seeds do the work! I would highly suggest anyone interested to experiment...you can grow a lot of amazing species (even though it'll be years before they flower) that aren't readily available. Brooke-That is too bad about the border. What is the US policy on bringing plants across customs? Canada allows up to 50 - something may be arranged but we'll keep in touch :)

Not sure how long orchid seeds last for but if I continue with my consistent pollination I'll have fresh orchid seeds frequently available. So you're welcome to join the notification list and then you can request seeds whenever you're ready.

Hi All, I've bought from Aleya garden a few times would like to add my experience. I have enjoyed dealing with this guy and 'Shady' is the last word I'd use to describe him. I've ordered established rooted plants and unrooted cuttings and am extremely pleased with my purchases and the service I've received. All my shipments arrived in about 4 days (at very reasonable cost), were well packed, and communication was friendly and plentiful. I always put mine into intensive care when they arrive and have pretty good results. I've had 100% success with the cuttings, and about 90% with rooted plants. He replaced the 10% that died with cuttings too - I'm more than happy with that. Remember that the plants travel a long way and suffer a great deal of stress, so you need to take great care of them. My experience tells me that unrooted cuttings are the way to go - I know not everyone agrees with this, but it works for me! Finally, I also sell plants online as a hobby (within the EU) and this would be a great opportunity for me to shoot a potential competitor down, but I genuinely feel he's done a great job with me, and I am pleased I've taken the time to tell you all. Molly (Molly's Tropical Plants)