problems with all orchids... :S

[orchid maniac]

Hi! I am growing most of my orchids in shadehouse during summer. The problems are constant, and there are only a few species that are not concerned... For example phals grown there grow smaller leaves, miltoniopsis and related genera don't grow well at all, two of them snarled their leaves inwards and flopped their flowers, oncidium has some kind of peloric flowers... A few first flowers opened and were looking ok, but the rest of them are somehow undeveloped, and don't have labellum at all... Why is that??? what am I doing wrong? Orchids like paphs, cymbs, dens, cattleyas, laelias and vandas are growing ok, and flowering ok as well... I am a bit confused!

[pedidiva]

tell about growing conditions.

[orchid maniac]

I am growing them outside in a shadehouse with 50% shade, temperature is like outside, maybe a degree or 2 warmer during hot days, there is a lot of air circulation and door and window are constantly open. I am watering them when they approach dryness... Fertilizing them every week or less... These days, temperatures were around 30c inside and a degree or two less outside... Humidity is fluctuating... I mist them a lot, and humidity raises during night and falls with sunrise... Nothing special... Typical outside conditions!

[nenella]

Hello & Welcome to the OB! I think the first thing you need to do is look at the Roots of your plants. If you can post pictures... you will get more help!
Your n°1 priority Is to keep your roots in optimum condition your plants will eventually reward you with flowers...
Although I believe you need to post 5 times before being able to post photographs.
and yes as said above by Pediluva - Tell us more!

[neb]

It will also help for us to know what is in your fertilizer and how much you are using. What is in your water can cause some problems as well. It dose sound like you may have issues with your roots.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What about the night temperatures. If you just get the day temperatures, you're only getting half of the story with the temperature. You need the other half (night temperatures).

Yes, do check the roots.

Pics also help a great deal in diagnosing your problems, particularly since you have problems with several different kinds of orchids. Written descriptions for every type of orchid you have problems with will take a very long time to write out. It will also take a very long time for people to read. Diagnosing a problem over the internet without a photo is sometimes very difficult.

Water may be another issue as well. Are you able to disclose the source of the water you are using to water the orchids with?

[fishmommy]

I second the question about the water source/quality

[orchid maniac]

here are some pics;

take a closer look on this phal flower... it has a petal extra and flower is deformed a little...



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stunted leaves of phals... ( I think I have most problems with phals, when grown outside! :S)



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"labellumless" flowers of oncidium... Not all, but majority...



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At least my vandas grow ok! (I hope!)



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[cday2inflorida]

I would bet too much light and not enough humidity. The bromeliad in the photo is the tell-tale sign for me. It should be unfolded. That one requires humidity to be at its full potential.

[orchid maniac]

Originally Posted by thumperinflorida

I would bet too much light and not enough humidity. The bromeliad in the photo is the tell-tale sign for me. It should be unfolded. That one requires humidity to be at its full potential.

hmmm interesting! it might be! Especially during hot weather! I will try to provide more humidity as well as more shade for my phals... I hope that will help!