The bacterioses in Phalaenopsis, has the most causal agent cited in literature (at least so that I could find) the bacteria Pectobacterium carotovora, whose most common symptoms of infection are soft rot in leaves (pectolytic enzymes released by Pectobacterium carotovora in the internal tissue of the plant, mesophyll, pectates of Ca degrade the middle lamella which is the “cement” that unites in plants one cell to another) and soft rot in pseudobulbos, that rot is also called anasarca (ponding regions and bad smell). In addition to this agent, cited were other bacteria with the potential to cause disease in orchids in general, such as Pseudomonas sp., Erwinia carotovora, Erwinia chrysanthemi and Acidovorax avenae pathovar cattleyae, but to properly identify it is necessary biochemical tests more complex.

Bacterioses in plants has no cure, they are systemic diseases. Thus, the best control is given by prevention. There are some antibiotics for agricultural use, but absolutely discouraged, at great risk of human contamination and environmental that its use brings with it.

It is known that unlike some of fungi, bacteria are not actively penetrate the body of the plant, because of lack of biochemical artifacts such as enzymes that when released on the surface of a leaf, for example, degrade the cuticle of the same thereby decreasing the mechanical resistance to penetration once existed.

Thus, his best control is given controlling the agents, the vectors, who would literally put the bacteria into the body of the plant, especially insects and mites.

Now here we will talk about the mites are microscopic beings, as shown in the photo below (withdrawal of Wikipedia), a mite very common in our homes.
The phytophagous mites feed is the juice to mobile rasp cells with their appropriate oral appliance. Surely, open wounds that serve as entry to the viruses and bacteria.

The mites of gender Brevipalpus (family Tenuipalpidae), for example, are important vectors of viruses in the Brazilian citrus industry, demanding millions of dollars every year for its control.

In the case of the mite of citrus leprosis, Brevipalpus phoenicis here in our tropical climate, and sub-tropical, the population increase occurs from the months of April / May, declines in again from October / November, they develop themselves better in the driest environments, and the increasing of rainfall in some ways control this phenomenon.

The photos below show symptoms of cellular scraping by mites (in bas-relief) in the leaves of Phalaenopsis, and the black eyes and yellow spots (without bas-relief), symptoms of a possible bacterial infection.

As a measure of control to mites, cited were those related to the cultural treatment, such as avoiding the accumulation of dust on the surface of the leaves, which serve to protect the mites, and always keep the orchidarium as airy as possible.

When it comes to chemical control, although there is some product registered in Brazil for the cultivation of orchids (new!) And away from me prescribe a product that is not registered by the competent authorities, I’m risking my record on Tuesday revoked before create even withdraw it, but I know that staff has used acaricides the basis of phosphorous, clorodifenilsulfona, dinitrophenol and chlorine, both dangerous products that need extreme caution as to the application, from the use of individual protection equipment (EPIs) by people who use the spray, and some time, specified in the package leaflet of each, to avoid having contact with the plants and sprayed areas.

Recalling also that, although the main vector of diseases in crop plants is the beast man, through practices such as discovered, excessive injuries with cutting tools and the use of these immediately of a plant to another, without a necessary disinfestation, water, contaminated irrigation of origin, and irrigation on a little embasada, purchase of seedlings or any other product employed in the cultivation of dubious origin, and plants in very trouble benches, plants rasped in plants and so on.

Finally, what should be borne in mind is not letting injuries in plants exposed for a long time, spraying a little cinnamon powder (which has phenols that microbicides are substances in general) and pincelar syrup broth (mixture of copper sulphate, carbonate of calcium and water) helps to seal a surface open for a cut.

Below, a photo of a Phalaenopsis demonstrably convicted, the golden circular spots are symptoms of viral disease (caused by CyMV – Cymbidium Mosaic Virus) and the leaves on the right, it is possible to notice symptoms of anasarca.

Orchids that grow up to 3,000 meters (9,850 ft) in the Andes (source: Orchid Culture):

Cyrtochilum ramosissimum
Epidendrum trachysepalum
Odontoglossum pardinum
Masdevallia dura

Orchids that grow beyond 3,000 meters (9,850 ft) in the Himalayas (source: “Nepal Orchids in Pictures”):

Coelogyne corymbosa
Gastrochilus acutifolium
Panisea parviflora
Pleione hookeriana

Orchids that grow beyond the 3500 Mt. (11,500 ft) on Mount Kinabalu (source: “The Plants of Mount Kinabalu: Orchids”):

Bulbophyllum coriaceum, over 3,500 meters.
Coelogyne papillosa, over 3,700 meters.
Dendrochilum pterogyne, over 3,700 meters.
Platanthera kinabaluensis, over 4,000 meters.

Were also mentioned Dendrobium cuthbertsonii which grows up to 3,500 mt and Masdevallia selenites that grows from 2,500 to 3,200 meters.
The elevation should be related to the latitude (obviously an orchid that grows to 2,000 meters in Norway can be compared to one that grows to 3,000 meters and perhaps more in tropical or sub-tropical areas), but belong to me, starting from sea level, the data above I think can be considered “winning”.

Obviously the article is open for any integration and / or correction.

Thanks to the friends of Orchid Board that patiently sought information in order to answer to my question.

Not rare find in the woods bush of orchids and other plants as Bromeliaceas full of ants.

There are a number of known ecological relationships between ants and plants, far beyond the herbivory linked to the leaf cutting ants.

For example, mutualism, or protocooperation which is characterized by both species, plant and insect, obtain benefits from the association.

foto Marcus V. Locatelli

The plants are far from being passive in the surrounding environment, their bodies are biochemically communicate among themselves, inducing a morpho-physiological responses to their survival.

Among the morphological include the production of cuticle thicker, as physical barriers against the attacks of pests, as well as structures in their bodies that serve as shelter for the predators of their pests, for example, plants myrmecophyte, special example in our case, the orchid from Central America Myrmecophila tibicinis aka Schomburgkia tibicinis (Bateman ex Lindl.) Rolfe, Orchid Rev. 25: 51 (1917), also here, with holes and cameras on the grounds of their pseudobulbs, serving as a shelter for Formicidaes.
foto Marcus V. Locatelli

And physiologically, summarising a range enormous, and little understood, secondary metabolites, such as phenols, which make them very indigestible to their enemies. There is still the semiochemicals used in the communication between the bodies of the same species, the pheromones, and between different species, allelochemicals, illustrating the latter, as the plants under attack from his enemies say the natural enemies of the same: “come here have food for you,” through volatile substances released into the environment, which serve as a “guide” for them until they arrive, substances which are also called infochemicals, which would be of great importance for those species hunt of insects, nomads and solitary.

In the case of predatory species of ants, and the vast majority life colonies there is a need for colonies being built in protected places, such as interspersed pseudobulbs to the roots of orchids and epiphytes, recalling also that many of these are endemic to top of trees, or live exclusively on the crown of the trees, there foddering prey, which usually prey habits of herbivores attracted by plants adjacent.

And the trend follows, victims and aggressors seeking deceive each other.

But the “joke” is not going to do it, recently in the Journal of Soil Science Brazilian, left this note saying that “… irrespective of the substrate cut, the waste produced shows higher concentrations of nutrients than the leaves, and important locus of recycling of nutrients in the ecosystem. The waste can be one of the main reasons for the increase in the concentration of nutrients in the soil tingling. ” So would extrapolate too think that while tingling associated with bushes of orchids are of predatory species, not as leaf cutting ants of this work, they also contribute accumulating nutrients in the fertile orchids epiphytes gradually?

The orchids illustrated in this post are the kind Microlaelia lundii (Rchb.f. & Warm.) Chiron & VP Castro, Richardiana 2: 11 (2002), photographed in the habitat in the West Paulista in August 2007.

Below, a bush very influenced by insects and spiders.
foto Marcus V. Locatelli

The yet to consider that the presence of ants in touceiras sometimes the preserve to be collected by people, in the case of this habitat, with many other Microlaelia lundii in place, the more difficult it is collected will be spared while others were more susceptible.