Five new orchids and questions about their health. - Orchid Board

Pencil · #1 02-25-2016, 06:01 AM

Hello again,
I went to buy an orchid from a lady and well... She gave me four others as a present so I am very happy

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They look healthy except two which have black spots on their leaves. I've read these orchids are famous for this. She said she bought them with the spots and she thinks it's from water or over-fertilizing. I also watched a video on YouTube where the lady explained that fungi may grow where there are water droplets.
The most spotted orchid (Adaglossum Summit "Frenchtown") has yellow tips on some of the leaves which she says may be from over-fertilizing.
The Oncidium Hansueli Isler is the other plant with spots but they aren't so much and are only on the older growth.
The Oncidium cariniferum Dark Red x Odontoglossum bictoniense looks great - with no spots at all and with two new growths.
I don't know the name of the fourth plant but it also looks ok and it's blooming.
And the last is a Phalaenopsis which also looks ok but has slightly curved leaves. What do you think?
Although most of the orchids aren't blooming, I've seen pictures of them when they were and there was no color break.
P.S. They were in a bag and were touching each other. Thank you in advance!

Pencil · #2 02-25-2016, 06:17 AM

Here are some other photos of the Adaglossum Summit "Frenchtown". You can see some of the black spots are on the inside of the base of the leaves. You can also see the yellow on the leaves. Four out of ten leaves have yellow tips. The newest leave doesn't and also some of the oldest.

nicola · #3 02-25-2016, 08:48 AM

Hi,
it looks like you got a good deal.
Five for the price of one!
The plants look fine, some small defect but all big enough to bloom.
Spots seems to be quite common for some types of orchids.
I do not have experience with some of your plants but certainly someone more experienced will give you good advice.
Ciao Nicola

DeeP0 · #4 02-25-2016, 09:50 AM

For most Oncidiinae, spots can be natural, as well as yellowing leaves. Leaves will tend to yellow and fall, especially on older pseudobulbs. Looking at your pictures though, in the fifth picture (the bloomer), is that older pseudobulb buried? If so, it's at risk of rotting.

silken · #5 02-25-2016, 09:53 AM

Your plants all look very nice. They even appear to be well potted from what I can see in pics. The odd spot or yellow leaf tip is nothing to be concerned about-or I wouldn't be. These Oncidiums don't like to completely dry out. I have had an Adaglossum Summit for nearly a year and it seems to be a fairly robust plant that bloomed at a small size. I just make sure they have very good drainage, don't let them completely dry out and good air movement to help avoid the spots. Mine don't get really high light. More like medium light, off to the side of the high light areas. Try not to get water trapped in the crotch of the leaves, which may have happened on one where I see some spots. But to me, to have Oncidiums, is to have some spots. Not on all plants but on many of them. Even when the leaves don't have water on them.

Pencil · #6 02-25-2016, 11:20 AM

Thank you for the replies! Actually, the plant I wanted to buy was the Oncidium Hansueli Isler which has spots. I'm happy it's ok. I hadn't seen the buried pseudobulb because I don't want to touch the plants without gloves. I'll remove the bark around it. The lady advised me to repot the Oncidiums but if you think it's unnecessary, I won't. The two older pseudobulbs of the Oncidium cariniferum Dark Red x Odontoglossum bictoniense are starting to wrinkle and die. They are darker in color than the new one. Should I remove or leave them?

silken · #7 02-25-2016, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pencil

Thank you for the replies! Actually, the plant I wanted to buy was the Oncidium Hansueli Isler which has spots. I'm happy it's ok. I hadn't seen the buried pseudobulb because I don't want to touch the plants without gloves. I'll remove the bark around it. The lady advised me to repot the Oncidiums but if you think it's unnecessary, I won't. The two older pseudobulbs of the Oncidium cariniferum Dark Red x Odontoglossum bictoniense are starting to wrinkle and die. They are darker in color than the new one. Should I remove or leave them?

If the lady who sold them to you felt they needed re-potting, then I would. I am only looking at a photo. It is usually best to re-pot when there are new roots starting.

Those bulbs are fine. You normally leave them on to help support and nourish the newer growths. You only should remove them once they are totally dead and brown and serve no purpose. Otherwise they serve as storage organs.

bil · #8 02-25-2016, 02:05 PM

I automatically repot everything, as I never trust the previous owner. If she says to repot, doubly so.

They all look OK to me.

estación seca · #9 02-26-2016, 12:37 AM

Some of the spots look like mechanical damage. This happens if the plant gets bumped or a leaf gets bent. This does not usually affect their health.

Pencil · #10 02-26-2016, 04:47 PM

I was thinking the same thing about the bulbs but was afraid they would rot. I will repot the non-blooming orchids. Should I move them to bigger pots or should I only change the bark? I don't have experience with orchids with such growing roots.
I'm thinking of using only bark. I wanted to use sphagnum as well but I couldn't find.
The lady advised me to soak the roots in 3% H2O2 solution. Is there anything else I should do if there are wounds?
What do you think about the Phalaenopsis? Its leaves are suspiciously curved...