meiracyllium trinasutum - leaf dropping

[Zach Valois]

meiracyllium trinasutum - cork mounted in a glass orchidarium with 6500k compact fluorescents. Was doing great for months and months, and with the onset of winter, has began to yellow and drop leaves. Perhaps it is too humid. Been letting it dry out significantly, to no avail.

Any advise?

Also, what is the systematic position of this plant and natural distribution and habitat?

Thanks,

Zach

[WhiteRabbit]

Good luck!

[gnathaniel]

Hey Zach, I'll tell you what you want to know if you tell me where you got your plant... Hahaha! j/k Tho I sure would appreciate a PM to clue me in.

AFAIK Meiracyllium is considered to be in the Laeliinae, pretty sure Withner included it in one of his amazing volumes on that tribe. There are definitely some genera within Laeliinae that seem slightly more Pleurothallidinae-ish, though, and I'm not sure how much work has been done on the systematics of these more obscure species.

Googling the genus name turns up a good few hits with cultural info on various forums, including a number here. Just looking at the bottom of the thread page will show you other threads with similar keywords, at least it does on my interface. If you need more help/clarification I would try PM'ing those posters, some (eg Lars Kurth, Tom-DE) are still active here and elsewhere.

From what you describe, your plant could have a pathogen problem. Try searching for use of salicylic acid or Trichoderma for control of fungal pathogens in orchids.

Hope this helps! This is a gorgeous little species, let us know how it does. Welcome to Orchidboard!

[Zach Valois]

A Pathogen problem huh? Interesting, I will do some research on the dynamics of this topic. Something new to me.

The plant is definitely a great specimen to have around. It was hand collected from a friend of local grower Clint of Salt Lake Orchid Dynasty, which is even more of a reason why I am upset that I am loosing it.

The roots look great, but pretty much all the foliage is gone. Started browning at the base, following with full yellowing, then dropping leaves.

We'll see what it does, in the mean time, I will look into your suggested issues.

Thanks!