Peristeria elata

[SteveM]

Good evening all.

I didn't know where to post this so figured this would be a good place. Got this Dove orchid back in October. had 2 back bulbs and a new growth. new growth right now is a good 2- 3 foot tall. No Pbulb yet. 1 back bulb has no more leaves and 2nd one I have cut them back big time from browning and yellowing die back when they came. They seem to not progressed since .

New leaves are in 1st picture, Looks like leaf die back but it is progressing very slowly (very Slowly). I have not used much fertilizer and is in new mix combo of firm bark perlite, and about 10 percent peat moss and 10 percent sphagnum. So I'm ruling out salt build up (although could be issue). I think its progressing too slowly for anthracnose although it does look a lot like it. I have sprayed with systemic just in case I have not clipped leaf tips yet but probably will do tomorrow. I water it just before it dries, still damp, out so I dont think I have been watering too much or too little. My humidity lately has been at 30 percent most the time, it was at around 50, but hard to do over 40 with forced heat. And there is a ceiling fan blowing at its slowest setting all day. That actually did a lot of good for all my orchids. Im thinking its a humidity issue but I need other opinions. i was also thinking possibly calcium deficiency, but these growths aren't new new, so not sure about that. Plus my water is about 30ppm CaCo3 so it is getting some calcium, not a whole lot though.

2nd picture are brown streaks on the apex of the leaves where it comes out of the stem. I am more concerned with these actually. I keep the room between 70ish and 65 for the low, so may just be too cold for them.

I know this genus have many leaf problems and fungi issues that some dont affect other genius, Plant seems happy and growing pretty quick and progression is slow. so any ideas on these brown spots are appreciated.

[estación seca]

I think it's low humidity, low temperatures and not enough water rather than fungus. Was it bare root? If not, did you repot and remove all the media?

[SteveM]

It was in sphagnum moss. I removed it all, and roots looked decent (Im sure they are not as good now as was then and probably took a beating from repotting), but I am not crazy using 100% sphagnum moss. The media its in retains moisture well and does not stay wet and soggy for too long. Been watering right now about once every 5-7 days. I'll try to boost heat a few degrees and humidity as well. On watering day, humidity in grow area is around 55 percent.

[estación seca]

These don't grow much at all unless it's quite warm. They need to stay moist to wet all summer. It won't do much until it makes new roots with new growth next Spring. They normally lose their leaves during their long dry season. I wouldn't keep yours completely dry all winter, but I wouldn't keep it moist, either. If you use the Search above you will find more posts on this plant here on Orchid Board.