Pleurothallis shipping + repotting shock

[Spiffy]

This is a bit of a rant/confession but mainly just to commiserate with fellow orchid enthusiasts!

I've had this happen twice now, but most recently a wish list plant came up (Pleurothallis penelops). It arrived in a plastic pot with 75% sphag 25% wood chips. I lightly watered just to keep the moss damp. One of the 'leaves' (if you can call them that!) started to yellow so I thought best to look at the roots...they were fine but a bit on the dry side. So if anything I'd underwatered I think. Otherwise the plant was in doors under a grow light, temps ranging from 16c - 25c.

I then repotted into a terracotta pot with sphag and gave it a thorough watering.

Another week in and even more of the leaves have started to yellow...it's looking a bit desperate now so I've placed it outside with my other masdies to enjoy some cool/cold, damp + well ventilated conditions.

I'm really not sure if it's going to survive and not much idea what I've done wrong. Only thing I can think is I was possibly too heavy handed with my repotting as the pot was a little on the small side and disturbed the roots too much packing in the sphag?

I don't think my conditions are bad as I have a few other healthy growing masdies potted similar in sphag + terracotta pots.

Just kicking myself as it looks like a funky unusual wish list orchid is about to head to plant heaven!

[Roberta]

Alas, I think that Pleurothallids are just touchy about shipping. Since they like to stay rather wet, really unhappy about drying out. If the roots are OK, I'd keep it for awhile... still might make new growth. But I feel your pain.