Help! Pleurothallis schiedei (ornata)

[WeirdGuySeattle]

I have had this thing for 2-3 years and it only flowered after purchase, never again and has died back quite a bit. I am frankly surprised the little bugger is still alive.

My suspects are low water, low humidity, low fertility (it gets lots of light). It came growing on a stick with very minimal moss under it.

In attempt to revive this thing, I have moved this thing where the bottom of the stick is sitting in a pond so it at least stays more humid. Am I gonna kill it, or do any of you have advice?

[Tindomul]

Since its growing mounted I would water it everyday. Its probably drying out every day. A lot of light is not necessary for this orchid, though It doesn't look from the leaves that its over dosing on sun. However lowering the light a bit can help the plant stay moist a little longer. I would say, keep it where it is now, and make sure it doesn't dry out for more than a day. IF you start to see some new roots growing within 2 weeks, you are doing something right. If you continue to loose leaves change the conditions again.
Do not keep the plant soaking wet, the roots need contact with air. In moist Sphagnum moss is fine, but not soaping wet.
Good luck, hope this helps.
Oh and don't worry about fertilzers yet, get the plant growing again first.

---------- Post added at 04:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:57 PM ----------


It looks from the picture that those leaves are all new??? If so then don't change a thing. You are giving it what it wants. Its such a cute little plant, hope it recovers for you. Where did you get from?

[WeirdGuySeattle]

Got this from Andy's a few years back. Its not exactly unhealthy, but its not exactly thriving either. I haven't seen a bloom in 3 years. And the number of leaves is fewer and they are smaller.

Maybe I set it back once upon a time and it still hasn't recovered?

[Tindomul]

The question is, are those leaves old or new? How much growth have you seen lately, and how often do you see a new leaf or root pop up? That will give us a better idea on the current status of the plant.

[WeirdGuySeattle]

Looks like 1-2 new leaves coming out - there is one new one right in middle of picture. . (They might be 'new' as of a couple weeks ago.)

Most of those current leaves are pretty old - 1+ years old.
Look for those little white spots, those are older leaves. - I think it may have got burned a bit at one point. (pretty astonishing its not dead, its been through a lot)...

Honestly, these are the first new leaves I've seen in probably a year, but I also saw a leaf fall off the other day that was one of the bigger leaves and looked otherwise healthy (a big white spot on it)

[Tindomul]

Did the new leaves start growing before or after you moved it? If after, I would leave it where you have it and just keep an eye on it. Makes sure you keep it moist but not soggy, not dry.