Stennoglottis macloughlinii problems

[SaraJean]

I seem to be having some leaf issues with my Stenoglottis macloughlinii (woodii). I have been keeping this outdoors in fairly bright light, high in the pergola, under a 50% shade cloth. Lately, days have been in the 90’s F, nights about 77F-80F, with humidity between 60% and 90%. I’ve attached pics of the top and underside of uthe leaves. I couldn’t find any evidence of bugs (at least currently) when I checked with my loupe and also a gentle wipe of an alcohol soaked q-tip. The dots on the underside look like dirt or bugs but the spots don’t come off and are actual blemishes in the leaf.

So any one have any ideas? Too hot? Too much sun? Edema marks from being too wet? I has been getting watered every other day since the the beginning of May when it started to heat up. Was watered every 4-5 days before that when it started to send out new growth. It’s potted in a small clay pot with crumbled tree fern and sponge rock. There are currently 6 spikes on it, so it’s not too unhappy, but I would like to figure out the cause of these leaf problems. It almost looks like it’s trying to go deciduous already.

Edit. Spelling in title is wrong

[DeaC]

Hi...was just reading of how these grow cool to cold. Your temps might be the problem?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Too warm. Highest it should be is 85 F. Ideally, night temps should drop down to about 60 F - 65 F. They also go deciduous right about now.

These originate from South Africa.

They have fleshy tuberoids.

Store the tuberoids without watering them in a moderately humid container. The tuberoids should not ever touch areas of prolonged wetness.

[SaraJean]

I was really hoping that wasn’t the problem....

This one grew really well for me last year but it was kept fairly shaded and only gave me one pitiful spike. It stays outside most of the winter while it’s deciduous, I did keep it dry and our humidity is pretty high during that time. (Edit: I think this one didn’t go deciduous until late August for me last year. However that could have been because of my temps or perhaps due to previous conditions at the nursery) I jacked up the light this year once it broke dormancy and have 6 spikes but the leaves are hideous. We’ll see how it blooms. Guess I need to strike a balance somehow

I’ll try moving it a bit shadier for now since it’s in spike. Next year I might try them on the windowsill where I’m keeping a few of my Sarcochilus and a Stelis. That area gets to about a high of 85, down to 70 at night, and has decent humidity

I couldn’t find a lot of data on this one but I’ll keep searching. Thanks both of you

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You'll not find a lot on the internet about Stenoglottis.

They are actually lithophytes where the fleshy tuberoids are growing in between rock crevices or terrestrials growing at the bases of trees.

I don't recall where in South Africa this particular species originated from. If you find out this answer, that is the key. I can see if I can find which part of South Africa they're from...

I found a photo of it growing in the wild growing as a terrestrial at the base of a tree:

Gallery - Category: Stenoglottis macloughlinii - Image: Stenoglottis macloughlinii by Martin Rautenbach

Here's one growing as a lithophyte (scroll down to the 5th photo) - apparently there are populations in Pondoland, South Africa:

Pondoland CREW Blog: Braving a gale at Beacon Hill

I'm not clear if Stenoglottis woodii is considered a synonym or not, but here's a photo of it growing between rock crevices.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I found a photo of it growing in the wild growing as a terrestrial at the base of a tree:

Gallery - Category: Stenoglottis macloughlinii - Image: Stenoglottis macloughlinii by Martin Rautenbach

Here's one growing as a lithophyte (scroll down to the 5th photo) - apparently there are populations in Pondoland, South Africa:

Pondoland CREW Blog: Braving a gale at Beacon Hill

Thanks, the in situ pictures and descriptions help a lot! I didn’t know these could grow as lithophytes and after looking both of those pics, I’m glad I didn’t pot them in the peet/sphag/perlite that I was planing on using. I was out of peet, out of sphag, out of small perlite, so I grabbed a handful of tree fern and smashed up up a bit with a rolling pin and used the sponge rock I had. The original terrestrial mix I was going to use probably would have been way too heavy.

I would be curious to know where the habits are for the woodii and macloughlinii and if they are the same or overlap. At least I can start with Pondoland area.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Try looking here:

Home | iSpot Nature

This is what I use to do part of my research for South African terrestrials.

This is what the search pulls for Stenoglottis woodii:

Search | iSpot Nature

[disalover]

Stenoglottis woodii grows in and around the greater Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal, usually lithophytes in rock crevasses. While Stenoglottis macloughlinii grows in the Pondoland area, their distributions never overlap and their habitat also differs, with macloughlinii growing in more exposed areas. I have seen them growing in full sun. But usually in sight of the ocean.

There is quite a confusion with the identification of the two. Stenoglottis macloughlinii usually has a longer spur that curves away from the ovary, a wider lip with rounded side lobes and flowers in earliest of the species in mid summer. While woodii has a shorter spur and truncated lip sidelobes, and flowers late summer/early fall.

I use a mix of bark, small stones and a bit of potting soil added for all my Stenoglottis. I water once the mix has slightly dried. I do have them relatively shaded and growing just above the floor of my shadehouse. So it is cooler than it would be. I estimate 30°C max in summer

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by disalover

Stenoglottis woodii grows in and around the greater Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal, usually lithophytes in rock crevasses. While Stenoglottis macloughlinii grows in the Pondoland area, their distributions never overlap and their habitat also differs, with macloughlinii growing in more exposed areas. I have seen them growing in full sun. But usually in sight of the ocean.

There is quite a confusion with the identification of the two. Stenoglottis macloughlinii usually has a longer spur that curves away from the ovary, a wider lip with rounded side lobes and flowers in earliest of the species in mid summer. While woodii has a shorter spur and truncated lip sidelobes, and flowers late summer/early fall.

I use a mix of bark, small stones and a bit of potting soil added for all my Stenoglottis. I water once the mix has slightly dried. I do have them relatively shaded and growing just above the floor of my shadehouse. So it is cooler than it would be. I estimate 30°C max in summer

Thank you for sharing all of this information!

[Roberta]

This time of year, no matter what you do, leaves will be starting to look rather ratty, as it gets ready to go deciduous. When they do, I don't particularly dry my various Stenoglottis (I have woodii, macloughlinii, longifolia, and a couple of primary hybrids) - I have found that they start their new growth a month or two after they lose leaves, so don't really "rest" very long.