Howards Dream not doing well

[Flamekat]

I bought my orchid (Bllra. Marfitch Howard's Dream) on 6/19/07--2nd orchid I've owned ever! Its now 7/5/07 and she's not looking good at all. I've watered it every 3-4 days or less often by setting it in a small bowl of tap water for a few minutes. After that, I remove it (let it drain) and put it back in the galvanized outer pot. So now its very droopy and I have no idea what's wrong. I'm not sure if I'm watering it too much or too little. The leaves seem to be shriveling up too. Look at the pics and you'll see what I'm talking about. Hopefully its not too late to save it from whatever I've done.
Hope the pics turn out w/ the size limit. They look distorted to me. ???

Thanks for the help!

[Lagoon]

Looks like it's in a bark mixture? If so, Soaking for only a few minutes wont' do that much, Soak longer 1/2 hr of pass the water right thru the top of the media.

The bulbs look abit thin, but not unhealthy or starving for water. Most orchids when in bloom really do apreicate some extra water.

High heats and spider mites might also be considered here.
Have you checked on the roots?

[justatypn]

Howard's Dream are thirsty chids....soaking up to a 1/2 will keep the dream hydrated. Do check the rooting system. The blooms look great, just like I remember with mine

[Flamekat]

Thanks for your quick replies. I have been watering it more often and it might just bounce back. I let it set in the bowl of water for 1/2 hour and at the end I pour a little through the top (which drains immediately).
I was thinking of checking the roots to make sure they are not rotted and shriveled up. I know what to look for in a Phalaenopsis--is it the same for this one? (grayish green and solid NOT mushy brown and decayed)

Also, I have some old fertilizer (20-14-13). Will this work w/ my variety? But I don't think its a good idea to fertilize it until it has bounced back from its "trauma"--maybe I'm wrong?

One last thing, I've heard about using RO water instead of tap water. Is one better than the other?

Thanks again for the help!!

[Ross]

I have Bllra Peggy Ruth Carpenter and I must admit they are thristy during growing period, but don't soak 1/2 hour. My regime is to sink it in a pail of fertilizer water (125ppm nitrogen MSU mix) in RO water every third day. I also use a watering can to run water through, taking care to get the mix all over the roots that show on top. Mine is perky and spiking for the third time since early spring! Of course, it depends on where you live and your humidity, etc. where the plant is. Mine sits right up against a south facing window that has a window screen in it. I am at 45 degrees latitude.

[pdeutsch]

This is a question, not a reply. I'm new on the site and didn't see how to post a question. I recently bought a Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and the underside of some of the leaves has black spots. The seller told me it arrived from his vendor in Hawaii that way and not to worry. While the orchid appears to need repotting, it looks otherwise pretty good - except for the spots. However, I looked around and am now worried that it may have a virus. I am a beginning grower but have about 20 orchids and don't want to infect others.

[nenella]

Flamecat - first of all Welcome! You have a very pretty bloom. IMO The FIRST thing to do is to look at the roots. As either they are healthy and your leaves are drooping as it is not getting enough water, OR it has not got enough viable roots to sustain it & therefore wilting.
You will get alot more/better info if you can post pictureq of the roots as well as a close up of the pseudo bulbs.
Good Luck!

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by pdeutsch

This is a question, not a reply. I'm new on the site and didn't see how to post a question. I recently bought a Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and the underside of some of the leaves has black spots. The seller told me it arrived from his vendor in Hawaii that way and not to worry. While the orchid appears to need repotting, it looks otherwise pretty good - except for the spots. However, I looked around and am now worried that it may have a virus. I am a beginning grower but have about 20 orchids and don't want to infect others.

First of all, welcome to Orchidboard To make your own thread is quite easy. Go to the forum you would like to post in, and above the list of threads you will see a button to create a new thread.

To help you out, and so you are sure to get answers to your questions, I have created a thread for you, here: Spots on Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream'

[silken]

Originally Posted by pdeutsch

This is a question, not a reply. I'm new on the site and didn't see how to post a question. I recently bought a Bllra Marfitch 'Howard's Dream' and the underside of some of the leaves has black spots. The seller told me it arrived from his vendor in Hawaii that way and not to worry. While the orchid appears to need repotting, it looks otherwise pretty good - except for the spots. However, I looked around and am now worried that it may have a virus. I am a beginning grower but have about 20 orchids and don't want to infect others.

This is an old thread so best to post your own. Go to the "Site Menu" on the left and click the second selection called "Forums" . Then go down and select the group Oncidiums (that's what a Beallara is) or the Beginner section. At the top of the main box is a little purple bar that says"New Thread". Click that. Make a suitable title with the plant name in it and maybe 'help' or something. Then tell us your story!

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by silken

This is an old thread so best to post your own. Go to the "Site Menu" on the left and click the second selection called "Forums" . Then go down and select the group Oncidiums (that's what a Beallara is) or the Beginner section. At the top of the main box is a little purple bar that says"New Thread". Click that. Make a suitable title with the plant name in it and maybe 'help' or something. Then tell us your story!

I created a thread for pdeutsch, see the link in my previous post.