Question
QUESTION: Hi everyone,

Squirrels are relentlessly attacking my orchid plant!  Our balcony (the only practical outdoor place to keep the plant) is situated close to the next apartment's trees.  Squirrels jump over to our balcony all the time to dig up my orchid plants.  Any thoughts on how I can stop them from disturbing the peace?  The other apt. won't cut the tree branches...
ANSWER: You could cage it so that the squirrels couldn't move the cage.  This is the same method used to protect saplings from browse by Deer. If you have a spare bird cage with a removable bottom, that might work.  Otherwise, you could build a frame out of wood and cover it with hardware cloth so that open end is open to be able to insert it over your plant.

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QUESTION: Thanks for your answer. How do I revive the orchid bulbs (Miltonia Hybrid) that have been half eaten by the squirrels?  I can see the fibers of some of the bulbs. The leaves from those bulbs have dried up and fallen of.  

I bought a new plant to replace the orchid plant that died from the squirrels' attack a couple days ago.  I believe it is Oncidium with maroon blooms (looks like wildcat).  I don't know much about orchids since I just started buying them because they look so beautiful.  After reading some care instructions, I think that orchid plant is sick.  Even though it is in partial bloom, the leaves are curled and have black spots on them. Because I saw all the roots sticking out of the pot, I repotted today. To my surprise, I found white mold and some yellowish eggs (1mm) attached to the roots.  What can I do to save the plant?

Thanks,
Wynn

Answer
On the chewed upon pseudobulbs, it depends upon how severe the wounds are.  The new growing eyes are at the base of the plant.  If those are still intact, there is a possibility that when the new growing season starts, these eyes could be the growing points for new growth. If and when new growth starts, I would repot this plant tightly in a pot that just accommodates the plants roots. Use fresh orchid potting mix. If any of the roots have rotted (mushy) they need to be removed before repotting.

Your Colmanara Wildcat, after it finishes blooming, should have its roots examined and any rotted roots removed.  The old potting mix is making the plant sick.  Remove the plant from its pot and thoroughly spray off all old potting mix. Then repot in fresh potting mix and a clean pot. This is a process you should use with any future orchids as well and each orchid plant should be repotted in fresh orchid potting mix at the start of each new growing season.  Orchids do not tolerate a decomposed orchid mix and such a mix becomes home to ants, mold and all manner of creatures.  Your leaves that are curled will not recover.  You need to prepare this plant for a new growth cycle and new leaves by repotting.