Leaves of reed-stem epidendrums turning red & dying

[fosterpapillon]

It's quite possible that I'm under-watering. I have lost some plants and many flowers as a result of that failing in the past. I was always taught that under is better than over but I suspect I have a tendency to take that maxim too far.

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[Dollythehun]

I found my reed stem on a greenhouse floor in mid Indiana. It was as red as yours from over exposure to light. I cannot remember if he leaves fell off or not. I agree w Katrina on the Catt.

[PaphMadMan]

The Cattleya does look like it had some slight sunburn, along with chronic dehydration. Seeing the Epi, I wonder if it is possible you actually got some frost damage on a dry clear still night. Even if the air temperature is several degrees above freezing it is possible for exposed surfaces to get much colder under the right circumstances.

[fosterpapillon]

Temperature hasn't been below 6°C so far this year so frost is unlikely as they have a clear plastic roof over them. Under-watering is the likely culprit.

My hose-watering regimen ranges from two or three times a day in high summer when it gets close to 40°C (102°F) to once every three weeks in winter with day-time temps of 15°C. In autumn and spring, it's probably less than once a week which I suspect is not enough.

I also use a 2 litre pressure pack to spray mounted plants and overhanging roots and I mostly do them daily all year round.

Does any body else have a similar set-up to mine (see my introductory post on 19 Feb)? If so, I'd welcome advice on watering frequency and style - also from anybody else of course.

[estación seca]

A lot of reed-stem epis along the coast in southern California develop reddish leaves during the winter. I would guess your 6C nights are a reasonable culprit.

My experience has been most bifoliate Cattleyas, and their hybrids, need much more water than unifoliate Cattleyas, and their hybrids. They still need air at the roots or they rot. It can be tricky to water them enough in a largish pot, where the medium stays quite wet for a while. Many people place them, nearly bare-root, into wood or plastic baskets, and water almost every day.

[fosterpapillon]

Thanks estacion seca - that's useful info. But it's only the mauve and pinks that go red so I guess I need to pay more attention to them. I have half a dozen good-sized Psychopsis Kalihi (a truly stunning flower) and they don't cope below 12C so I'm forever moving them in and out of the house during the colder months - but it's worth it. And, I nearly lost all of them last year due to under-watering!

The advice on the watering of bifoliate cattleyas is very helpful.

Thanks to you all.

---------- Post added at 04:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------

I did a little research and found this interesting article:

http://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/Re...SueBotttom.pdf

The photos look very much like my cattleyas so I'll try the technique.