I dun goofed. Can I save these severely sunburned orchids? (multiple species) - Orchid Board

Lightingale · #1 10-12-2016, 06:33 PM

I've successfully rebloomed grocery store Phals for a couple years, and this spring treated myself to a few more varieties. They lived at the back of the sun room where they didn't get direct sunlight, and did very well.. one of my den. seedlings even threw me a flower! I know I can't winter them there (it will get below freezing in our Canadian winters), so we just renovated a spot in the house where they'll have Kessil grow lights, and soon an aquarium beneath them to help with humidity.

The sun has been creeping up higher and higher in the sun room as the seasons change, and everybody seemed fine even though they had about 30 min of sunlight each day while we were getting their winter home ready. After two days I came in to water to see... this (photos attached). I brought them in, and a week has passed since the sun incident, and photos are from just now. I knew better, I should have brought them in sooner. The damage is done, and I'm hoping you can give some advice as to how to save these guys. The winter area is ready enough to move them in, and I've also attached a photo of that.. it's the purple image because the Kessil lights are magenta.

The one I care about the most is the dracula jester. The seller did warn me that he likes high humidity and no direct sun, and gave me a discount because he already had a bit of sun damage on his leaf tips. I was up to the challenge, and would like to build a terrarium for him and other humidity lovers like him this winter. Every day he drops more leaves, but still has some green new growth (closeup photo also attached). You can see I bought a small wardian case (on the floor in the magenta winter space image) that might help with humidity if I also put in a gravel tray. Two of the upper panels are open for air flow. Do you think this might save him?

I also have a Paph seedling that hasn't grown a smidge since I got it in May, although its oldest leaf slowly yellowed and dropped. I was advised at the orchid show to put it in a wardian case, which I did, but I think in this case it might have magnified the sun. You can see it too is very unhappy. Any advice?

For the first time ever, one of my grocery store phals took some damage. The whole crown turned white and mushy! I don't think it's crown rot as I tend to keep them on the dry side (I'm so sorry dracula jester!) and am careful not to get water between the leaves. It's been a week, and the blooms and roots look fine and the spike is still growing. Should I cut off the blooming stem and the spike to help it recover?

Apologies for the lengthy post. I'm still a newbie to the hobby and appreciate any input.

PaphMadMan · #2 10-12-2016, 08:43 PM

I think the Dracula will recover if you can provide correct conditions from now on. It seems to have new growth, which is always a good sign.

I don't think the others are even worth the effort to try. Damaged leaves can be removed and then wait and see, but where things have gone mushy it is probably too late.

catherinecarney · #3 10-12-2016, 08:43 PM

Hello and welcome--sorry to hear about your orchids.

I'll give you the bad news first: the phal is probably a goner. Phals grow from the crown, so once it's toast (and it looks like the whole top of the plant got sunburnt to me) the odds of saving the plant is pretty low. It might throw a basal keiki, but again, the odds are low.

On a happier note, it looks like your dracula has a new growth and at least one new root showing in the picture you attached. That's promising, so you've got a good shot at it. I don't grow draculas or paphs so I can't tell you much about growing in a wardian case, but with luck another member with more experience will be able to help.

Keep us posted!

Catherine

Lightingale · #4 10-12-2016, 09:20 PM

Thanks for the input!

@Paphmadman, I'm glad the dracula still might recover, and I hope this new environment will suit better. I read elsewhere on the internet that draculas are like their namesake... that they like cold, dark, wet caves. I'll try to remember that, and hope he bounces back.

The Paph never did well, and I think next time I'll get an older specimen, and not keep in a room that is generally bright, warm, and dry. Maybe if/when I have a nice terrarium with controlled humidity, light and airflow I can nurse up a young seedling, but this one just wouldn't work with me. The dendrobiums loved that sun room though, so next spring I'll pick up a few more of those instead.

@Catherine, I figured the Phal is a goner, and I think the only reason the flower stem and the spike seem ok is because they originate below the damaged part of the crown. As it is, I don't see how the plant can produce any new leaf growth, so I agree with you that it's probably a goner. Thankfully it's readily available, and I saw one just like it at the grocery store just today. I think I'll hang on to it in case it produces a keiki because I've never had the opportunity to work with one before and would enjoy that experience.

PaphMadMan · #5 10-12-2016, 10:10 PM

The Paph might survive if you can avoid rot and a new growth starts from the base soon, but then it would be the equivalent of a young seedling with probably 3-5 years before it could flower. It would be easy to find a similar cross to replace it, but some other types of Paph are easier choices for typical indoor conditions. Take some time to research Maudiae-type hybrids or sequential flowering ones like Paph Pinocchio, unless you are really set on a "complex" or "bulldog" type like your charlesworthii x Valwin.

Don't take the cave analogy too literally with the Drac. Cool and humid, yes, but with good air movement and not quite that dark.

estación seca · #6 10-13-2016, 03:37 PM

You will learn a lot if you try to save them.

bil · #7 10-13-2016, 03:54 PM

Welcome to the Captain Screwup fan club.

There's a lot of people out there, including me, who have royally screwed up by forgettig how the sun tracks

rbarata · #8 10-13-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

You will learn a lot if you try to save them.

Agree! More than just growing them!
While there's green there's hope!

Roberta · #9 10-13-2016, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

Welcome to the Captain Screwup fan club.

There's a lot of people out there, including me, who have royally screwed up by forgettig how the sun tracks

I think I have toasted more orchids in March than any other month. Suddenly the sun appears above walls that have been providing shade all winter, and of course orchids HATE abrupt changes. Thus we learn...