Feeling Like an Orchid Failure

[quiltergal]

The Brassia should have had a much larger root system to support that size plant. Root rot perhaps?

The phals look good, and the little guy in the back next to the phals looks like it's got new roots growing so that's a good sign. Maybe I need to put my glasses on but are there plants in that terrarium?

[LizT]

Blondie,
I feel for you as well. Last year at spring time I opened my window & in came fungus & spider mites. I lost all my Lepanthes & alot of my Pleuro. This spring same thing. Both times I tried to fight but still I lost. I'm not sure what went wrong, but this fall when the fungus strikes again I'm going to try to be more conservative in the use of treatments. It is thought that I may have used too much in one shot. This spring I lost quite a few plants & those that survived have not bloomed. Even those that were reliable bloomers. I've been assured that they will come back & bloom for me again. Luckily I have a great support system both here & at the nursery I go to. Though I haven't joined in chat room (I've been so depressed that I know that I'm a real downer & who needs someone like that around) or posted much this summer (nothing to show off, except dying plants). Know that I have wandered the web site for new posts, information & to enjoy the blooms of others. I also have a wonderful nursery that I go to every Sat. They have been so assuring & supportive to me. I've learned a great deal from them.
Just remember that orchids are very resliant plants. If they can grow & bloom under my care, anyone can do it. As long as they are willing to provide the conditions that plant requires. I have far from ideal conditions for my plants (though I try) but they like it enough to grow & a few will bloom.

[tuvoc]

Hi Blondie. It looks from your pics that the pots may be standing in the water that drains into the saucers. This may not allow the pots to dry out or breath properly. My experience has been that the fastest way to kill a plant is to keep it too wet. If you can find a way to keep the bottom of the pot above the water in the saucers, I think it might help. Another suggestion I read somewhere here at the OB is, if you think it needs water, wait another day. Hope this helps some!

Kim

[shakkai]

I know it can be disappointing when our plants, that we spend so much time and loving care on, don't respond to our care.

We can all sympathise with what you're feeling, I'm sure. But, as Buds said, we can also try to lend a hand and see if there are suggestions to help improve the situation!

What happened with the Brassia? Can you guess at all about what it was that it was unhappy about? Which mini is it that is not doing well?

Your Phals looks like they are doing well - they wouldn't be growing new leaves if they weren't happy.

We are all here to help - in whatever way we can!

[Dorothy]

Remember - not all orchids like it dry, some need it to be kept damp.
My cochleanthes, eurychone and aerangis like it moist!

[Lagoon]

My brassia's crosses take full sunlight much of the day or they wouldn't bloom for me, they also drink like fish during the summer. They are packed fairly tight inside their pots. I think they prefer tighter shoes.

My phals get asmuch light as they can take all year around without burning the leaves - The colors of the leaves are purple and or red'ish.

We learn as we grow - ALL OF US DO. Don't feel bad or be put off this wonderful hobby. If you work at it you WILL Get it down. Failures and succeess teach us.

Don't lose your cool, & hang out with us, we are here to help you.

[gmdiaz]

Yep, many orchids. . .and I bet that Brassia too, like for their roots to be snug in a pot. . .lots of water & weak fertilizer when they're blooming.

Be sure that when you are watering, you really spoak the roots throughly. I dunk my plants in a bucket of MSU RO water and then let it drain out of the pot completely before I sit it in its saucer.

And don't forget that the pot needs to sit ABOVE any standing water in the tray. You can use little decorative rocks or those Hydroton hydroponic balls.

Cause you want the roots to be able to breathe. . .breathe fresh humid air.


Do you have a light meter? Cause I would walk around and find out what kind of light you've ACTUALLY got in your growing spaces. Your phals look good (except for that sitting in water thing. lol) so you've got probably lowish light there. . .but do you have enough bright light for the Brassia?

And I'd also get one of those little Exo Terra thermometer/humidity guages too. . .check it out. You need facts about your growing conditions!

Whatever growing conditions you actually find out you have. . .be sure to only gets plants that will do well with those conditions.

[slipperfreak]

Don't feel bad Blondie! When I first started with orchids I killed a few myself. Reading definately helps, but the best resources you have are your own mistakes. Learn from them, and don't repeat them! Along the way you'll learn lots of tricks that will help you grow better. It took me 2 years to get the hang of growing Paphs and Phrags.

I think we all kill our first orchid, except perhaps for a few of us that have REALLY green thumbs. You said that the pieces of medium you were using were really big; maybe next time use a finer medium and the roots won't dry out so fast. It seems like your Brassia was underwatered. Try out some Maudiae type Paphs too- you can't go wrong!!

[Ray]

Judging by the position of most of the plants and the lack of close-by overhead lighting, it looks to me like you've been denying them a chance to photosynthesize. (I'm mostly referring to the plants on the speakers.)

In other words, they slowly get weaker and weaker, then die.

[Blondie]

Again, thank you all so much for your comments. Here are some thoughts...

About the brassia: It used to have a LOT more roots. After losing a ton of bulbs and leaves, I pulled it out of the pot and trimmed a bunch off because I was hoping to stop them from rotting. It was quite tight in its pot. The roots were white and papery--super dry. I think I might be one of those people who actually doesn't water orchids ENOUGH. Often, by the time I water the orchids, their roots are really really dry. I run them under the tap in the sink for a few minutes each, put them in those water trys, and then remove the trays a day later. By the time the brassia ended up in the little bowl, I knew it was on its last leg. Poor thing.

The mini that is giving me lots of trouble is Haraella Retrocalla. I popped this puppy out of its pot yesterday and this is what it looks like. Dry as a bone:



Usually, this little guy sits with the others on that little table I have. During this summer, the light would come in and shine directly on the orchids for a few hours--just enough to not burn anybody (whew!).

I think maybe my REAL problem is that I don't have ENOUGH orchids. Maybe I wouldn't care so much when they die if I had MORE!