Jewel Orchid~Macodes Petola

[justatypn]

Received my 2nd Macodes petola about 2 weeks ago from a friend and it arrived flawless. Within a few days of recv'g this jewel the leaves have started to roll, actually both of them I have three others of a different type that are in perfect shape. I water them every other day, heavily. HELP!!!!

[smartie2000]

I don't know how to help but their leaves are really beautiful!
I think they grow in a soil right? I would think that watering every day is too much for soil

[Shadow]

Don't you overwater them? If you grow them in moss it should be slightly damp, not wet. Also, they need very high air humidity ( 90% or higher).

[Ross]

Terrestialman should jump in here (if not PM him).

[justatypn]

Choice of growing medium is sphagnum moss, to my knowledge as for the Ludisia as well. I have 2 others that are red leaf Haemaria discolor that are in soil. New to my collection and frustrating none the less.

[justatypn]

90% humidity, hummm...now that is a bit high for my growing area and thought somewhere that these guys do not like to be misted. It seems when I water them daily they perk up, never like at purchasing quality but perkier so to speak. Am at a loss....

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by justatypn

90% humidity, hummm...now that is a bit high for my growing area and thought somewhere that these guys do not like to be misted. It seems when I water them daily they perk up, never like at purchasing quality but perkier so to speak. Am at a loss....

Air humidity is very important. That's why they are grown in orchidariums. Avoid misting them. Use only high quality (distilled) water.

Ludisias are much more simple and easily tolerate the lower humidity.

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[Matthews]

I have a Ludisia in a terrarium and it is doing fine with 100% humidity. I have no idea what has happened to you plant. Are the leaves still firm or are the soft?

[justatypn]

oh my gosh, that's the puzzling part they are very firm. Definitely not soft

[daemondamian]

Cheryl is it definitely just in sphag? If so overwatering could be a problem. I have a Macodes petola seedling that fell over and I filled up the pot with CHC.. bad idea it rotted at the bottom.

I took out the CHC replaced it with fine bark and it grew new roots and is now actually in spike [and still a small seedling].

It could be worth unpotting to check out the roots and you could repot it into something else that could be watered more if the sphag is staying too wet.

Hope that helps.