Trouble with Dtps. Newberry Parfait 'Picotee'

[FL_GROWER82]

Hi all,

I am having some trouble with this plant and am in need of advice and solutions.

This plant has just finished flowering and in the normal cycle that I have seen after flowering there is generally a new leaf…and with a new leaf sprouting means that generally the bottom one will drop off…not a problem…I have not seen two or three leaves drop off…any ideas as to why? I may answer my question later in this post…

After flowering…I saw that some of the roots were looking a little questionable so I made the decision to repot to not only clean up the roots but also to get some new potting media. Could this be a contributing factor to the leaf drop and just general stress of being repotted?

This is also the time of year that my lanai will start to get sunlight in the early morning hours, this plant has not moved in more than a year…could this be too much sunlight?

I have also noticed a few cobwebs around and when I went to repot I saw these little spiders in the root system which I got rid of…hopefully…but where there are a few there will surely be more…are these little buggers friend or foe…hehe.

I know that you all like pictures and I will post them later on tonight…any advice or suggestion would be wonderful and appreciated.

Zach

[FL_GROWER82]

Here are the pics

[Phyrex]

Zach, just to clarify did it lose 2 or 3 leaves so far? What has been your watering schedule? I had something similar happen when I was overwatering but I'm not sure since it looks like you had just watered the bark before taking the pictures.

[FL_GROWER82]

My watering schedule is at least twice a week. The humidity here in Florida has been really dry and it is getting warmer so I have increased the waterings to three to four times a week, in the early mornings. There is a sprinkler that has intermittent waterings but I don't think that any of the water gets to my chids. I lost one leaf late last week, I am going to lose another one this week...and then I am going to lose a third probably next week judging by the yellow color of the leaves. I am also half tempted to lop off the other yellow leaves. Yes? No?

[Ray]

No. The plant is taking water and nutrition from the old leaves as they yellow - actually that is why they yellow, then drop off.

Something is preventing the plant from taking up nutrient and water through the roots, and that's why the plant is failing. A plant that size should have a lot more leaves than it does.

I couldn't tell the condition of the roots from that little picture, but obviously there's a problem.

[FL_GROWER82]

The Roots when I was inspecting them were firm and there was new growth on the roots and cutting away anything that was dead. I will keep plugging along and try to save the plant...will have to see what happens.

[FL_GROWER82]

If you click on the roots picture it will link you to a bigger shot.

[Bird Song Farm]

Zach, are you using anything for a rooting hormone?
K-L-N or such? I've had excellent results with it.
Other than saying to be careful with the water and let the plant go almost dry before watering again, I can't help.
AL

[FL_GROWER82]

I have some KLN...and I thought about that today as well...and will put some one and start using it ASAP...I might be able to save it...after all it is my first orchid.