Fdk. After dark shriveling?

[Tim P.]

Hi everyone,
This is my first year with fdk. I think I've been doing pretty good until I looked at my orchids tonight and noticed that my new fdk. Bulb is shriveling. Two of the tiny bottom leaflets have gone dry, but none of the large have turned. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks.

[Subrosa]

How do you water? While actively growing they should get a lot of water, but they should dry out a bit between waterings.

[Tim P.]

I water it when it gets dry. I have a skewer in it, but it was fairly dry when I watered it today.

[euplusia]

As said by Subrosa, while in active growth Catasetinae need plenty of water. Their big leaves evaporate a lot. With water bulbs should fill up again within 2-3 days.

[Subrosa]

When I do water I immerse the pot for a few minutes. Then when the surface of the sphagnum gets dry but not crunchy I water again.

[Rowangreen]

I think it's fine if it's just the bottom leaves. I think sometimes as the pulb grows they are too small so they have to die off to give it space? My feeling anyway!

[sweetjblue]

Tim, Had you just watered your plant before you took the pic??

Reason I ask is there appears to be either water or perhaps honeydew on the back of the leaves. If its not from watering I'd be concerned. Honeydew, especially in that amount, could be from insects with the most likely being scale or mealies.

You may want to give your plant a good once over besides watering.


Judi

[Tim P.]

No... I watered after taking the pic and it seems to have plumped up some. It was right back where it was this evening though. I also have been wondering about the sap. There doesn't appear to be any creepy crawlies on the plants, and that is why I am so stumped! none of my other orchids have that either... just my FDK

[Tim P.]

So... The infestation is here I guess no sooner did I say I diddnt have bugs than I find a full colony of webs. Does it sound like spider mites!? Would they cause the leafs to weep in such a fashion?