Our society has many new members that may not be aware of this rare but significant health problem associated with our hobby (and some experienced orchidists may need a reminder). It is called sporotrichosis, a fungal infection once referred to as rose gardener’s infection. The Sporatrichum organism lives in the soil, on plants and can exist in our potting material, especially sphagnum moss.

An accidental puncture wound, as with a rose thorn, hanging basket wire, sharp components of orchid media or even an insect bite introduces the spores under the skin. In 1-2 weeks, a hard swollen area appears around the puncture site. The nodule may ulcerate and drain, and may or may not be painful or itchy. If left untreated the infection spreads up the arm or leg through the lymph system and produces more nodes beneath the skin that eventually ulcerate and can become infected with other microbes. If a slow-to-heal sore results from a puncture wound, contact your doctor or a dermatologist, and mention this possibility when seeking treatment.

As preventative measures, the orchidist can wear thick rubber gloves while handling media, (especially sphagnum) or disinfect the media before using it with a fungicide or general disinfectant like Physan or RD-2o.

Also; there are other fungal spores present in