Black rot or culture? and an ailing phrag

[quiltergal]

Charles Baker suggests light anywhere from 2400 to 3000 fc, which is fairly bright. He also suggests that growing them a bit warmer helps them resist disease. Apparently pearcii is susceptible to rot particularly when in spike.

[lkg1323]

Interesting about the rot/spike correlation.

I initially was watering the phrag. with RO, it got to be a chore, so I went with rainwater... I ran out and went with tap and it didn't seem to make much of a difference. I keep reading that it's not so much the quality (as long as it's not chlorinated water or the like) as much as it is it doesn't like to dry out. So I've been going with that, hoping it is true info., but I may have to revert. I hardly ever fertilize the pearcei, and when I do it's very weak. I'm pleased to hear that it's possible it's just natural die back. I thought it seemed a little too small to have that occur yet, but I guess I'll have to be patient.

It has about four growths- one of which mature (which has the now yellowing lower leaf), two intermediate, and one or two new growths. I was particularly worried because the yellowing seemed to happen in a matter of a day or two, and the plant had a general slouch to it that I don't recall it having.

[james mickelso]

Pic 1 and 2 are rot. Cut back until no more rot is visible and then administer cinnamon on the open cut. Don't worry about the bud being cut back as it would just die anyway if left untreaTED. It will push another bud out from the base and that should grow well. Too much water is the main cause. Let the orchid dry until ligthweight and then water.