Leaf Drop on my Masdevallia Kimballiana! Help!

[blossom85]

Hello and Thanks for Reading. I have a Masdevallia Kimballiana that stopped blooming about 3 months after I got it. Besides that, it was very healthy until now. It has begun dropping adult leaves. The leaves are not brown or mushy nor yellow. I water once every week with 3 parts water and 1 part 10-20-10 liquid formula. The temp in my house is 74 F during the day and 65 F at night. They just drop off from the base and don't grow back. Please help!

[Becca]

What is it potted in? Is the potting medium staying most or drying out before watering? How is the crown of the plant looking (the part between the leaves).

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What is the potting media?

What sized pot is it in in comparison to the root mass?

Are there any living roots on it at all?

With that said, here's what does stand out from your post, as of right now...

Watering once a week is rather harsh for a plant that loves water. Depending on the media you've got it in, you might just have to increase that to once every 2 days or everyday!

The temperature is fine for now.

Once a leaf drops, it's gone. Usually no new shoots will develop from the same stem where the leaf fell off. If they were starting to, they eventually die.

New shoots will usually come from stems with intact leaves. And when they establish themselves and grow, they grow like weeds!

You gotta take care of the problem 1st before expecting anything else from the plant.

A photo of the plant will help with other possible issues that are not being described by you as well.

[blossom85]

Hey guys thanks so much for helping. The planting medium is part parelite and part peat moss. I never let it dry out completely. I just keep it moist but not soggy. There are no visible live roots but the plant is 3" by 6" and has about seven leaves right now. There are no brown spots at the crown. The leaves look healthy at the crown but just come out when I move the plant.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

That sounds like major root loss. With that kind of damage, it's not likely it will survive, unless there are a few roots left along with a sufficient amount of leaves to recover.

Do you have a photo, just to make sure?

[blossom85]

Here are the photos of the orchid in crisis

[tcrane]

How's the air movement around the plant? I was having major leaf loss issues with my masdies until I set up a fan and made sure there was a slight breeze across the plant. Did wonders. It sounds like your medium and humidity aren't the issue, I'd give it some air and see what happens.

-Tristan

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I think the pot's too big.

Bring it down to a 2" pot. 2" short or 2" tall will depend on what's left of the roots. If I had to guess, the 2" short is the proper size.

[nenella]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I think the pot's too big.

Bring it down to a 2" pot. 2" short or 2" tall will depend on what's left of the roots. If I had to guess, the 2" short is the proper size.

I too agree!

I am not an expert on these but IMHO :- I too would down size the pot & 'air' the medium a bit more.. (make sure medium is mostly dryish near the base of the plant as moss retains humidity more) & it should make new roots and growths & come back...
I have had this happen and 'salvaged' my plant (in sphag) by also putting Leca pebbles around the base of the plant so it would stay drier.
Good luck & keep us posted!

[FlyingBrunswick]

I had this issue with my 3 massies and realized it was water rot from water hitting the leaves and soaking into any old sheaths left at the base. Even light spray from a spray bottle did it.

I started watering from the bottom and have no more loss and plenty of new growth to replace the lost leaves. Maybe something similar is happening with yours?

They have been growing in S/H since and I'm continually amazed by the water they drink - every morning the reservoir needs replenished.