The Oberon Disaster

This channel documents the effects of Oberon on Cymbidium Orchids. Oberon was released in New Zealand in 2007 for use on ornamentals, native plants, and various vegetables (including tomatoes, cucumbers and capsicums), to control pests (such as whitefly and mites).

Paul, an expert orchid grower, used this new product in 2007, spraying his prize orchids twice as per the directions. He has since experienced devastating losses, with poor quality flowers, mutations, and dieing plants. These losses are documented in the videos on this channel.

Follow Paul and others as they fight to recover their lost business and get recognition from Bayer and its agents.

A large number of New Zealand growers have also experienced the Oberon Effect, the economic loss to New Zealand is in the millions. It is a David V's Goliath battle.

After being withdrawn from the market, Bayer changed the label and re-released the product. Today Oberon is still being used in the food industry.

Since this disaster, Bayer has embarked on a publicity camapign, blaming wrong labeling and spraying instruction, however, the potential herbicide activity of spiromesifen (the active ingredient of Oberon) on orchids was not mentioned.

Growers have comissioned their own scientific report which suggests that there is herbicidal activity against cymbidium orchids (Monocots). Spiromesifen is designed to interfere with the reproductive system of insects. Pauls observations are that it also interferers with the reproductive system of orchids. Paul is very concerned about Spiromesifen being used in crops grown for human consumption.

Out of frustration growers such as Paul are using all means necessary to get Bayer's attention in the hope that Bayer will put things right.

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