Cymbidium growers vs Oberon

In late 2008/early 2009 a new Bayer compound, Oberon, became available on the New Zealand market after being used in The Netherlands for a few seasons. Small-scale commercial trials by a few New Zealand growers indicated that it gave good control and was considered a new tool in the chemical arsenal for controlling two-spotted mite. It's widespread uptake by Cymbidium growers resulted in severe phytotoxic reactions, with some growers having 100% of their plants damaged. It appears that the damage resulted from a series of factors. New Zealand growers tend to apply a higher volume of water than their Dutch counterparts due to the more vigorous growth under New Zealand conditions. A result of this was a greater application of active ingredient which, coupled with our very high light conditions, resulted in the plants' uptake of the active ingredient.

Effected plants show aberrant growth of new shoots, misshapen and/or is-coloured flowers, and poor production. In serious situations, the spikes that do appear are unsaleable. It is not yet known if the effects on the plant are long term - some growers say that less-effected plants are showing more normal growth this season.

Effected growers are in discussion with Bayer lawyers and insurance agents. Due to confidentiality agreements, there is little information within the Cymbidium industry on how many growers have been affected, in either terms of production loss and/or how may growers are leaving the industry completely. It is also unknown at this point what effect, if any, this situation will have on flower exporters and other support industries.

New Zealand Flower Growers Association extends our deepest sympathy to all those growers effected. We hope that they are able to resolve their financial discussions with Bayer in a timely manner and continue to provide export quality product to the world's markets.