orchid help - i'm fairly new :) pics

[andy83]

Ok,

This orchid was doing well with two long leaves when I got it but then I got sick and it suffered as well. It has now put out some growth and is showing some good roots.

I got a new light fixture that is 192 watts and ever since some of the new growth has gotten yellow. I've noticed the black spot for a while.

I'm thinking that the cause(aside from its preexisting poor condition) is too much water splash from the falls. I changed that and now all of the roots dry out and every few days when I notice the whole piece of driftwood being dry I will pick it up and water it under the waterfall.

So, if anybody can tell me what I can or should do and how than please speak up. Again, I think it's in a proper spot from as long as I have had it.....I don't know if I should trim roots or the yellow leaf or what.

Here are various pictures of this un id orchid.













Thanks,
-Andy

[Oscarman]

I would trim away any dead, brown and mushy roots. Add a small NZ sphagnum mossin the root area and keep it drier (like you are doing).

[Tindomul]

Is there a possibilty that there is too much lighting? 192 watts is a lot for a 40 gallon breeder. Its not very deep. What are the temperatures in your tank like?

[Lin]

JM2C, but I'd be worried about it being too wet.

[Tindomul]

If you have proper ventilation you can solve the too wet problem. What sort of ventilation do you have going in there? Also, if its really humid in there I would not add sphag moss, only if you see it dry out too quickly every day.

[andy83]

It did get a little too wet once or twice because I left the fan off for over 24hrs. I have a computer fan pulling air out of the tank.

The orchid does stay dry when I keep the fan on. Some nights I turn the fan off so there is a morning dew effect. The temps are good with the fan and I have the ac running here all the time. 78-82 average but if the house air is not on it seems to get warm quick. I'm going to install another fan blowing air in at the waterfall to keep things moving.

The new root growth seems to be great and its even starting another set of two leaves which is a good sign. If it ends up being too much light then I'll just have to move it to the shade and buy yet another orchid.

[dave b]

Think it looks pretty good. Just taking time to get re-established. New growths and new roots is a good sign. As mentioned, you could carefully trim some of the dead roots away. Keep that air flow moving.