What's wrong with my Slc? - Orchid Board

kiki-do · #1 01-08-2008, 11:14 AM

Hi All, I bought this Slc. Charming Jewel 'Tristin' back in October. It's in a 2' pot. I haven't changed the medium as it looked perfectly healthy and happy when it arrived.
Now it is yellowing, but also has new growth. Can anyone tell me what is wrong?

I have it in medium/strong light (Maine...wintertime, so never truly strong strong light) and I allow it to dry between watering, but it's hard to tell with the medium. I suspect I'm overwatering, but not sure. I also mist daily.
Help!

kiki-do

cb977 · #2 01-08-2008, 11:20 AM

Hi kiki

I'd repot it so you can see what's happening underneath. If you find any bad roots, cut them away, give the plant a good spritz of Listerine (not mint

) and put it in a clean pot with fresh media.

kiki-do · #3 01-08-2008, 01:15 PM

Hi Sue, Thanks for a quick reply. I did exactly as you said. The roots didn't look that bad, but they weren't any new roots or fresh white roots, either, but more like really really damp roots...off color, but not black.
I didn't cut any off because they weren't black or limp. I did the listerine thing and now it's just sitting in a little saucer drying out. I'm thinking of putting it into a 4" wooden hanging box with some coconut husk, perlite, charcoal, and pellets (always forget the name of them). Do you think that would be good? Or should I use Sphagnum moss?
When Slc's are young, what conditions do they like?
Sorry for being a pest. Got a little shook up from the yellowing. Thanks, kiki

cb977 · #4 01-08-2008, 02:24 PM

I'd avoid the sphag but that's just because I tend to avoid sphag on almost any plant

I think with some TLC, you'll get this baby up and going in no time

Neverend · #5 01-09-2008, 08:48 AM

Time to repot it, the roots will tell you about its water woes. Crinkled roots = dried up, blackened roots = overwatered, rotted.

The medium will be decided by your watering regime, if you water a lot (like me) use well-draining mediums like charcoal, fern bark, alifor, otherwise use sphagnum moss or cork to keep it moist.

LauraN · #6 01-09-2008, 09:06 AM

You might want to cut out the misting given your conditions. If you are using misting for humidity, you might be better off with a humidity tray instead. Either way the repotting will certainly help!

kiki-do · #7 01-09-2008, 09:12 AM

Thanks all!
I've repotted to coconut husks, perlite, charcoal, and pellets. I cut the three yellowy leaves off, and I dipped the roots in listerine before potting. Oh, and I gave her my little "pep talk." Guess it's wait and see.
I was wondering if misting was a bad thing for an Slc. I thought misting was good for all orchids, except for paphs. I was told they hate their leaves misted....kinda like african violets.
I think I will give her a break from misting and hope for the best. Yes, humidity tray will be the way to go.
I appreciate the help, believe me! kiki

quiltergal · #8 01-09-2008, 04:29 PM

Kiki-do I found misting any of my catts this time of year lead to black rot, so I quit and everybody is happy and healty now. I've got them all on humidity trays and my min. RH usually doesn't drop below 50% this time of year. Different story in the summer. It's drier than a popcorn fart!