Browning and blackening of leaves

[Zoren]

Ray, I have to apologize (old age is taking over-ha!ha!) I don't remember the discussion. Maybe my conditions and lack of experience is why I've had trouble growing S/H, I will continue trying with plants that seem to grow S/H for me. Zoren...

[Zoren]

South Park, I will be sending you some pictures or a video of my Orchid Room. You have very nice plants. I used to grow Catasetum, Cynoches and Clowesa orchids. I was given bad instructions on how to care for them, so I lost all of them. Besides they are all Deciduous growing and I like to see leaves on my plants all year round. But, I will probably try them again they are very fragrant. I've been seeking out Fragrant, Species and Sequential growing orchids lately. I like to see orchids blooming more than once per year.

South Park, if you don't mind me asking do you work or are you retired. I've been retired for about 13 years (actually 16 years if we count tome on disability). I used to work in the Bindery industry which is part of the Printing industry in New York City. The bindery industry doesn't really exit any longer, it was absorbed by the Printing industry. I moved to Florida with my wife about 27 years ago.

I've given you a little of background, if you feel comfortable we can progress from here. I will try to take the pictures or video tomorrow. Zoren....

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Zoren

I used to grow Catasetum, Cynoches and Clowesa orchids. I was given bad instructions on how to care for them, so I lost all of them. Besides they are all Deciduous growing and I like to see leaves on my plants all year round. But, I will probably try them again they are very fragrant.

Know just what you mean Zoren about the deciduous nature of that catasetum-type plants. I live in north-east Australia --- and the winter temps are not extreme - and these particular plants are pretty much still sprouting new growth even when the most-recent big pseudobulb has lost most leaves except for 1 to a few leaves still remaining - halted growth - while the new growth is coming out. So basically just keeping the roots wet a bit --- but not as wet as during summer.

SouthPark, if you don't mind me asking do you work or are you retired.

Thanks for mentioning your work background! I'm still working over here. The work isn't related to orchids. But I think that I could definitely picture myself working in an orchid nursery! Like all, or most people here on the forum, I love orchids. Not just orchids, but other plants too.

I have never been to Florida before. Would love to visit there one day! I once lived and worked in Colorado - for several years. There sure are fantastic places in U.S. Orchids likely have a hard time growing in Colorado though hahaha. But interestingly, I hear there are orchid nurseries - even in places like Louisville, CO.

[Zoren]

, South Park, you probably have hotter temperatures then I do in the summer months, but the air is drier. In the late 60's I was looking into moving my family to Australia (I think your government was offering some form of incentive to move there). I have a nephew and his family that is moving to Australia in the near future (his wife is from there). Like you, one day I'd like to visit your country.

I tried to do a video to long so I'm sending pictures of my collection sent 10 pics, hope you like. Well, I'd like to keep in touch with you, we might be able to help each other with our orchids. Do you purchase your plants locally or do you buy from different nurseries in and outside your country. Would you know of any good and reputable nurseries I might be interested in to expand my collection, I still have some room (Ha!Ha!). Again Zoren..

[Gil]

Being a big fan of Occam's Razor and looking at your pictures, I would say your plants are being given too much water. My indoor orchids (those in bloom) that are in bark get a drink about once a week and those in moss get a drink every 10 days or so depending on how moist the moss feels. They are also all subjected to good air flow.
The only ones getting a drink more than once a week are the plants outdoors which get filtered morning sun and good breezes. They get a drink 2 to 3 times a week if it has been a dry spell. Where they are located gets to the mid 80's frequently.
So are you checking for moisture before you water or just watering on a schedule? and Do you have good airflow around your plants?
Not to say that you have not picked up some insidious disease along the way, just seeing if watering may be your issue with indoor plants.

[Zoren]

Gil, when I water I always check to see if they need watering or fertilizing. The different varieties of plants that I have require different watering times. I live in South Florida and all my plants are in a 90 square foot area, the temperatures are generally very high (I also face SW, which is the hottest time of the day). As for air circulation, I have 3 portable fans and 1 ceiling fan, I also have a portable A/C that I run during the day (if it gets to hot-I've had temperatures of 110 degrees). I run the A/C at night I can get the temperature down to 64 in the winter (sometimes) and if it's not to hot at night down to about 70 degrees. I have a few hanging plants that need watering 2-3 times per week (in Summer), I also have a humidifier (I've had humidity as high as 90 percent and higher. I have never had any kind of fungus or disease in my plants, I have only had to ants and a few spiders and non of them are harmful to my plants. My Florida room is enclosed and I live on the 4th floor of a Condo. Thank you for your concern. Zoren....

[Gil]

Sounds like you have it all covered so I guess I really don't have any other ideas. I lived in Fl back in the early 70's so I know how the humidity and temperatures can be. Best of luck and hope you get it solved.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Zoren

, SouthPark, you probably have hotter temperatures then I do in the summer months, but the air is drier. In the late 60's I was looking into moving my family to Australia (I think your government was offering some form of incentive to move there).

Excellent photos Zoren! Because you had contemplated on moving to Australia in the past --- we could say that you have some ties with Australia hahaha. Nice.

You certainly have a big collection. And very nice views of water outside as well. Your area looks relaxing.

Answering your question of whether I buy locally ---- most -- or nearly all of my orchids are purchased online .... from established/reputable orchid nurseries within Australia that happen to have options for shipping. I have ebay purchases as well. When I first started orchid growing -- about 35 years ago or so, there was a nursery that we could just go to --- to buy plants, open to the public pretty much all week during normal hours. That nursery isn't around anymore - although, there are open-by-appointment ones, which I have never tried before. I prefer non-appointment ones.

Generally no issues with online-bought ones - typically in very good - usually excellent - condition. I have had only 1 hard-to-treat assumed-fungal case from an online-bought plant ..... but is under control now - finally.

I did purchase a few plants from an orchid fair recently. We don't have these sorts of events much - hence the online purchases haha.

[Zoren]

Well, I answered your text before, but I don't think it went through, so i'll re-write it. I have been trying to grow for about 15 years. I have only started understanding how much environment is so important to good growth (about 3 years). The water you see is a large pond or small lake all how you view it, yes it is very relaxing here.

I've never ordered from Ebay, was your experience a good one? My go to online grower is Andy's Orchids, California, he specializes in species plants, have always received plants in excellent condition. I go to Elegant Orchids about 20 miles away, I like going to nurseries you get to see what your paying for on the spot. I'm always looking for new sources to buy the types of plants I like. I look for species, ever growing (sequential) and fragrant orchids mostly. Can give me some names of nurseries in Australia that are good, honest and inexpensive who ship to US. Zoren....

[SouthPark]

Hi Zoren. I've mainly had very good dealings on ebay. It's necessary to review the sellers ratings, and number of ratings. And some sellers on ebay are well-known to the orchid growing community, or are people well-known to orchid groups - honest and reliable, and experienced growers. This helps a lot.

There are certainly other sellers on ebay that sell good plants, but sell small seedlings for prices that you might pay for a big plant. There are cases of this. But then it is really up to buyers to decide how much they want the small seedling. I have purchased a few of these small seedlings before ----- which will certainly be taking years to get to flowering age heheh. Otherwise, I tend to purchase flowering-size plants.

I'm not sure if any nurseries here in Australia ship plants overseas. I think the Australian nurseries tend to import plants from overseas in flask form, as that addresses a lot of biosecurity concerns anywhere. I think a good way to scout around for possible exporters of plants from Australia is maybe through facebook -- eg. at cattleya growers facebook page, or some orchid society facebook pages, like brisbane orchid society. Maybe even american orchid society members can give some nice leads on exporters. Flasks will probably be the easiest route.....but unfortunately (as we know) will take an incredibly long time for flask plants to get to flowering size. Full-size plants would take so much paper-work, and time and money ----- and always chances of not surviving the trip, including fumigation/quarantine - in which a thousand dollars could just be wasted if the plants don't survive.