H Britta, I've just totted up the rainfall at Cape Bryon from Jan1 to today. It is 1190.6mm or about 48 inches in an old fashioned measuring system so my diagnosis is fungal problems brought on by excessive rainfall (this year) together with a mix that might be a bit too dense to cope with the weather.

My basic mix is 50% treated pine bark, 50% coarse perlite.

Try and get info. re. mixes from the local Societies.

My rough guess at your climate Zone is 11 but that depends on how far you are inland from the Ocean, whether you are up on a hill or down in a hollow. USA Cold hardiness zones give a rough guide to your growing conditions but they cut out at 10b which is here and is correct because I have been taking temperature readings for a long time. Go south about one K and you are in a frost hollow and that is 10a or maybe 9b

Handy if you put your Climate zone and country in your profile. Some real orchid growers who post here live in very cold winter climates.

Ok great, will give that a go. I live in a subtropical climate, winter at the moment & temps ranging from 9C - 23C

Also I tried to contact my local Orchid Society member, left a message but I had no luck & no response... Will try & go to sone orchid nurseries soon & hopefully get some more info.