Dove Orchid newest leaf curling

[SteveM]

Hey All,

I have this Peristeria elata Which I have had for over a year now. A little history, This is the newest growth and leaf. P bulb just forming and I have noticed leaf curl of the youngest leaf although this leaf has been around since like June. No curling on any other new growth leaves. I have kept the media moist not soggy, let it come almost dry before watering again just to moist. This is one orchid which I do not let sit in water for any amount of time, just water till it starts to come out. My guess is that it is doing this to conserve water for the P-bulb to grow, and possibly bloom down the road. I have this in a peat-sphag moss-bark-marble chips mix and for the most part it is doing really well this year Last year it was in shock with new environment and had minor bacterial infection. Dont see that with this years growth. I must say the past day or 2 that p-bulb grew a lot. I've attached a pic. Humidity has been from 40 to 60 percent and temps have been from 72 to 65. Its been in the pot since I got it last October or so.

[Dimples]

I don’t grow this, but that looks like drought stress. Hopefully others will jump in.

[Roberta]

I don't grow it either, but two possibilities come to mind. One is drought - this species should not ever dry out. The other is spider mites, which tend to afflict thin-leaved plants (and are particularly problematical if your environment is dry with inadequate air movement. What is your temperature range?

[SteveM]

Temps are rather low for this species. I know these are hot growers but right now they are growing from 68 low to 72ish. sometimes they get a bit warmer but heat is set to 68 at night.

Have ceiling fan on 24/7 on low so good air movement. Had major problems with fungi and bacterial on other orchids in past years with no fan, so I rarely have it off.

I am actually thinking that they may be over watered right now. P-bulbs show no wrinkling,. I looked for pests. Took cloth with alcohol. No smudges...see no webs...no mealy bugs, scales etc...no yellowing of leaves...Im just going to let it dry out a bit and see what happens

Its not getting that much light and these like full sun during the winter. but didnt have this problem last winter... In the summer I have given them a good amount of light Had them in full sun in August until I took them in late October. These never showed stress even at 100 degrees. ...They thrived outside so that may also be problem right now since it has been a few months inside.

I have seen so much conflicting care guidelines on this species but some say they like it in the 50s during the winter but I do not try this. I really don't think they will do good under 60. And most say I shouldn't water during the winter but since the p bulbs are growing now I did not want to cut it off yet,,I have cut it back quite a bit from them being outside. My media is very water retentive so I try not to over water although I may have this time.

Thanks

[estación seca]

They will grow all year if water is available. I agree you shouldn't cut off watering when pseudobulbs are maturing. Your plant might not be quite large enough to flower, so there is no point to drying it out and forcing leaf drop. My plants easily tolerated overnight temperatures in the 40s F / 5C range, though most of my Winter days are warmer than yours.

[Roberta]

In general, I take the "no water" advice with a grain of salt with just a few exceptions... These live in a humid habitat, so with any cooling at all at night, they get dew even if there is no rain. I learned that the hard way with nobile-type Dendrobiums... killed a few with the "No water" bit until I figured out that "less water" doesn't usually mean "no water"

[SteveM]

I think I may have solved the mystery. I have inspected the leaves with a digital microscope and there are no signs of pests. Potting media is moist. Not soggy, not dry. I never really let the pot get bone dry and there are no wrinkling in any P bulbs. old or new.

I really think its a light issue with the leaves curling to find it. Since its the newest leaf, probably more sensitive to this. So, like I said this orchid literally had full sun for the past few months (I spent all summer increasing full sun). Now coming into the shortest days of the year, the window that it is in faces west. The sun is quite south and the curtain drapes on the corner of the window where this plant is. I wished I had a south facing window but I dont. Plant looks fine other than that so Im not going to worry about this and keep an eye on it.