Den. mini snowflake: Leaf curling

[duterte13]

Hi,
I got a Dend. mini snowflake from OSSC auction. Looked healthy when I bought it. Left it out in the shade w/ spring temp of high 80's and found leaves beginning to curl. Soil has some moss growth so I think it grew in a greenhouse. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Plant is inside house now on west windowsill. I tried to find info on growing these things but it's kinda limited.

TIA,
duterte13

[camille1585]

First of all, welcome to Orchidboard

Do you have a photo of curling leaves? Seeing the problem is usually extremely helpful in figuring out what might be causing it. Are the roots in good health?

[duterte13]

Hello!
Thanks for the quick response! Here are the pics of the leaves beginning to curl. They feel hard so I'm not sure they'll "uncurl". The other pic has moss growing in the soil. I found some info saying it takes cooler temps than normal dens. but I'm still not sure what temp, humidity, and light it needs. I'm just going by looks right now.

[duterte13]

Oops. forgot to mention your request on roots. Removed moss covering. Roots are on top and seems fine: white and plump, not rotting.

[camille1585]

I'm not an expert on Dens (I have 2!), but I did look up the name on Orchidwiz; Den Mini Snowflake = Den abberans x Den johnsoniae.
Neither of those species needs a winter rest, and both tend to like day temperatures in the 70-80s, and in the 60s at night. Both like somewhat high humidity and like quite bright light.

As for the leaf curling, I'm not too sure what it is. My first thought was lack of water, but the canes are nice and plump. Maybe someone else will have an answer. But I would think that as long as the curled leaves aren't yellowing or drying out, and there are no other leaves starting to do that, it might be some freak thing that you don't need to worry about.

[RosieC]

Hmmm, I don't know either... but my impression is that it's nothing to worry about. Hopefully someone who knows more will be able to help soon.

[duterte13]

Thanks guys. I'm really looking forward to those fragrant white flowers!

[Tropicgirl]

Your plant looks pretty healthy. The only thing I could think of is maybe it is "reaching" for more light? From where you have it sitting, does it seem to be curling toward a window? I have lots of dens and the leaves are not always uniform, some of them twist a little.

[duterte13]

Your leaves curl too? That's a relief. They were originally outside exposed to medium light levels (no direct sunlight).

[WhiteRabbit]

I agree with the others - your plant looks good - I don't know what may have caused the leaf to curl. I have 3 Dens from the latouria section (aberrans and johnsoniae both are in the latouria section), and they have all been doing very well with moderate light, and not allowed to dry out.