Maxillariella elatior -- cause of yellow and black spots leaves?

[MJG]

I just received this maxillariella elatior in the mail. It was bare root, wrapped in slightly damp sphagnum moss, which was wrapped tightly in saran wrap. It had traveled in very warm temperatures for about a week.

It arrived with some yellowed leaves with black spots on them. A few of the pseudobulbs have black spots. Nothing is mushy. I've already removed the worst leaves and treated with cinnamon. I left the pseudobulbs alone.

Can you advise me on whether I have a fungal or bacterial infection starting? Would you advise removing more? Thanks.

[estación seca]

This is how old leaves look when they're dying. It happens a lot with bare root plants in shipment. The plant looks fine. It is extremely unlikely (though not impossible) a vendor would send a diseased plant. Dangerous fungal infections are very uncommon unless ambient humidity is very high.

[MJG]

Originally Posted by estación seca

This is how old leaves look when they're dying. It happens a lot with bare root plants in shipment. The plant looks fine. It is extremely unlikely (though not impossible) a vendor would send a diseased plant. Dangerous fungal infections are very uncommon unless ambient humidity is very high.

I don't think this vendor would send a diseased plant. My concern was that it was damp and warm in transit for a week, and that might have started an infection.

So far I'm getting feedback from you and others that this orchid is most likely just fine -- it's just losing a leaf or two. Very reassuring. Thank you for your feedback.

[Roberta]

Also a hint with Maxillaria elatior... it is a climber. Mine, I have the main (bottom of the plant) roots in a pot, then stuck a flat piece of cork (supported by a stake) behind it, put some sphagnum on the cork. Then the climbing part can get some moisture around the roots, and be supported. Advantage of the climbing habit - the footprint stays reasonable.

In spite of using RO water, I have always had ratty-looking leaf tips on the plant, but that hasn't stopped it from blooming beautifully... the flowers peek out from the base of the leaves.

[MJG]

Well that's interesting. It explains a mystifying growth on mine. There is a string of pseudobulbs growing vertically in the midst of the other leaves. It has a trail of shaggy roots attached all the way up. Now I know what it is and what to do with it. Thanks! How tall has yours grown?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by MJG

Well that's interesting. It explains a mystifying growth on mine. There is a string of pseudobulbs growing vertically in the midst of the other leaves. It has a trail of shaggy roots attached all the way up. Now I know what it is and what to do with it. Thanks! How tall has yours grown?

It grows slowly... about 15 inches tall at the moment. (I have had it about 3 1/2 years) It only adds 1 or two new growths each year vertically, it also sent off a brand new basal growth that is about half the height of the original one.

Oh... as with all of the Maxillarias with this growth habit, don't try to "tidy it up"... if you get brown bracts between the pseudobulbs, those are protecting the roots that extend all the way down to the medium. Removing them can kill the plant. (Same deal for Max. tenuifolia, Max densa, Max variabilis, etc.)