Sudden leaf drop - Orchid Board

Paul Mc · #1 02-25-2012, 08:18 PM

One of my masdie's has not shown any sign of issues, but suddenly dropped 3 leaves that looked in great health. No signs of issues that I'm aware of. What could be going on?

billc · #2 02-26-2012, 04:03 AM

Got any little critters in the mix? Masdies don't just drop a green leaf for the heck of it.

Bill

Paul Mc · #3 02-26-2012, 07:53 AM

None that I'm aware of. It's in a netted pot suspended in the neck of a vase with water underneath it. The water does not touch it. It had all sorts of new growth but now it's just plain stopped growing. I was shocked when I went to water yesterday and noticed the leaves just laying there. They had "snapped" off from the base. I tested the other leaves and they seemed fine. But I know for a fact that these fallen leaves were relatively new, not old. And like I said, they were a beautiful healthy green.

Do you think I should take it out of the pot and see what's going on with the roots? It's potted in sphag by the way. I water it maybe once a week because the humidity in the vase keeps it relatively moist.

billc · #4 02-26-2012, 11:17 AM

It certainly won't hurt the plant to take it out and see if you can determine what's going on. Masdies have pretty tough leaves and leaf stems and a green leaf wouldn't just fall off. I'm a total klutz and I'm always knocking mine over reaching for another plant and mine survive. I have to think it's mechanical damage or some type of bug.

Bill

Paul Mc · #5 02-26-2012, 06:11 PM

Ok, so I took it apart and there were a lot of dead roots, but several new healthy ones. As a side note, I fully expected the dead ones as I was having issues with
Asides until RJSquirrel posted his vase culture method. Now, instead of dying leaves they are producing more. I also found three new leaves just starting. I lifted it out of the sphagnum a bit more and took some out so it would be airier in there. Any thoughts based on my findings? I'm now wondering if it's because there were not enough roots to support that many leaves.

camille1585 · #6 02-26-2012, 06:49 PM

I don't know very much about Masdies, I think it's one of the more common issues with them, and is stress related.
Have you changed anything at all in the growing conditions? light, humidity, temperature, air movement... How long has it been in the bowl culture? If it's recent, it could be that you are keeping it too moist.

But like I say, I'm no masdie expert.

billc · #7 02-27-2012, 06:26 AM

Well Paul, I don't have a clue as to what caused your leaf drop. I've been growing Masdies only for about a year and a half, and while I've made many cultural boo-boo's, none of them have caused a green leaf to just drop off.
Having new roots and new leaves coming out is good, so I would keep my eye on it and see what happens.

Bill

Paul Mc · #8 02-27-2012, 07:05 AM

@ Camille. Actually, I did move it to another window as I feared it was getting too much light. It is now somewhat sheltered under the leaves of a large Oncidium. Perhaps the changing of windows was enough to cause that to happen.

I will keep my eyes on it. Thus far, I have not seen any more leaf drop so I'm hoping it's on it's way to recovery.

Thanks everyone!

Paul Mc · #9 02-27-2012, 08:50 AM

Scratch that, 2 leaves left now, lol...

silken · #10 02-27-2012, 10:33 AM

Gee, what the heck! I only have 2 masdies (until this past weekend, now I have more) but have never had a green leaf just drop either. Is the base getting too wet and rotting? I was having an issue early on with new leafs turning yellow before they were more than an inch tall. I talked to someone at Ecuagenera and they said having the media a little too high around the base will cause that. They don't like to be buried too deep. It was the answer for my problem. Check that on yours although I know you are losing green ones. You could e-mail Ecuagenera and ask if they have any ideas. They grow and sell so many and seem very helpful.