My Jewel Orchid is Dying

[monivik]

I bought a Macodes Petola last October. There were 2 in the same small pot. It was going fine in the beginning, they were both growing and growing, and there was even a second growth. At a certain point about two months ago, I noticed that it didn't look very happy. The leaves were starting to turn, well let me see how I can explain this... the edges of the leaves more curled. Anyway and the bottom leaves turn yellow and die off.

So about a month ago I decided to repot it, I had some new spaghnum moss and since the pot it was in was getting to small, I split it into 2 pots (since there were 2 in one pot at first, plus that side growth, which broke off so I placed it in the pot too).

Anyway, since the repot the plant's been declining even more rapidly. I am constantly checking it that it is moist, and that it doesn't dry out. To be honest lately, my house has been extremely dry (like 25-30% humidity) I have a humidifier, because I've also got a Calathea that likes more humidity.

Anyway the rate at which the leaves are turning yellow is going faster now. I also noticed that the stem is "rotting", it's sort of shriveling and just not looking good at all.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i have had varied success with this plant but i have also purchase some bonk specimen...do you have access to the materials for semi hydro?

i would cut that plant above the mushy part of the stem and stick it into a SH container.

i have had to do that before and they grew roots into the SH and have been happier since.

again, just my experience and it has been of very varies success

[SouthPark]

mon ---- jewel orchids can just grow in plain soil, right? Maybe a mix of propagation sand, plus regular garden soil, plus maybe some perlite mixed in could do the trick.

The rest would be up to controlling the amount of moisture in the medium, and providing required temperatures and lighting levels.

Humidity could be a factor too. But sorting out rot issues will need to be addressed first. For now ----- maybe the best that can be done is to try a systematic fungicide, and assess the state of the media (wetness etc).

[WaterWitchin]

What are your temperatures? Macodes Petola is a thermophilic orchid, needs 68-80F days and 65-77F nights.

Is your medium "moist" or does it tend to be "soggy?" The MPetola can't tolerate soggy soil. Having excellent drainage but keeping moist is a tricky one. Those two things matter most, then humidity. Yellow leaves and your rotting/withering stem sound like soggy soil. Curled leaves sounds like low humidity.

You have in low light level, right?

SemiHydro is a really good way to go with this plant, with a caveat... SH tends to make the temperature a bit cooler, so you have to make sure you keep the plant on the mid to higher temperature side as listed above.

---------- Post added at 10:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:42 AM ----------

PS I'm not well versed in geography, but both DCoconuts and SouthPark grow in very tropical environments, so take that into consideration with whatever your temperatures are in the Netherlands.

[Roberta]

I have found that these do better in the house than they ever did in the greenhouse. Light where I have them is really low - they keep company with a Pothos that I have had for years, that also grows in very low light. Also, house temperature is quite even. (They do like to be on the warm side, so do I) I have also found, as DC has, that they can re-root if they lose their roots - and can propagate from cuttings. I grow mine in sphagnum, and so far they seem to be doing OK. I have Ludisia discolor in a soil mix and it does well, but the other jewels - including Macodes petola - seem to do better in sphagnum (fairly loosely packed) But low light, warmth and moisture seem to be the constant factors.

[DirtyCoconuts]

yeah, i forgot to add that i grow this one in my bathroom to keep it consistent and the right temp

[WaterWitchin]

In SH or? I’d like to try one or a discolor in SH. Just haven’t. Bathroom is a great place... good humidity.

[DirtyCoconuts]

if that question is to me, yes, in SH...both of them

---------- Post added at 11:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:28 AM ----------

Macodes by J Solo, on Flickr



Macodes by J Solo, on Flickr

[WaterWitchin]

It was DC... gracias. I think SH is an excellent choice for these. I won't ask you about warmth issues with it though.

[Veksa]

DirtyCoconuts, what size Leca do you use?