Q I am having a problem with my blooms for the first time. Shortly after opening, the segments exhibit a sprinkling of tiny black-brown specks that enlarge slightly and appear to eat right through the tissue, thereby spoiling the blooms. The problem has to exist in the greenhouse

itself, as I brought a plant indoors with spoiled blooms on one pseudobulb and unopened blooms on another pseudobulb. To date, the latter flowers show none of the disfiguring specks. As the weather has been cold recently, I have not had the fan on. This is baffling me completely as I am not a novice, having grown orchids since 1937.

A What you are describing are the classic symptoms of Botrytis cinerea, which is a usual problem over the winter. Your observation about the plant you took into your home reinforces my diagnosis; in the warmer and drier conditions indoors, the fungal spores are unable to germinate and damage the flowers. Increase air circulation as soon as possible, check the benches and floor for any decaying plants, add a little heat at night if possible, and try to water only on sunny cool days and as early in the day as possible. — Andy Easton.