Partly mushy brown leaves on Trichicentrum

[nzadro]

The saga with this orchid continues. This is Trichicentrum Tigrinum.

There were unidentified bugs on the mount. I soaked the whole orchid in water and small amount of dawn. A method some forum users use and I figured it would work here. Hausermann still has bit gotten back to me to suggest what this could have been.

Unfortunately, since this is still an immature plant (about a year or so from BS), it is not faring well. The bugs are gone but well, at what cost.
The leaves has slowly turned a dark brown green. They are oftened but not squslishy. The tip of the rear leaf is totally mushy, but the green is still stiff as it should be. The base appears to be green... it is had to tell in the images. Roots are visibly unhappy.

Did this turn bacterial infection? Or just waterlogged from drowning?

I have it isolated for now but I am sure itd be happier in my humid warm terrarium. If it is a goner so be it, but Id like to do what a can.

Thanks
Natalie

[estación seca]

That looks like it was either underwater too long or too wet and humid in the terrarium. A few hours' soak is usually enough to kill bugs. I have left heavily infested larger plants for up to 24 hours. But I have also seen plants look like this after being too wet and humid inside an enclosure.

[nzadro]

Originally Posted by estación seca

That looks like it was either underwater too long or too wet and humid in the terrarium. A few hours' soak is usually enough to kill bugs. I have left heavily infested larger plants for up to 24 hours. But I have also seen plants look like this after being too wet and humid inside an enclosure.

I must have left it submerged for too long
Is there any hope to salvage it? It was happy in the terrarium before.

[estación seca]

I don't know if it will survive. Orchids are surprisingly tough.

Terrestrial plants breathe through their pores. If they are underwater they aren't breathing. Many can tolerate this for some time, but not indefinitely. I wouldn't soak any terrestrial plant for more than 24 hours, and a shorter time would be better if it's effective.

Trichocentrums like lots of air movement and like to dry out periodically. It wouldn't be my first choice for a wet and humid terrarium plant. How long have you had it? The mount wood looks as though it's been quite wet for some time. There are other kinds of orchids that like this kind of environment.

In general thicker leafed orchids are more adapted to periodic drying, and thinner leafed ones need to stay more evenly moist. Trichocentrums and some of their thick-leafed Oncidium relatives come from places with distinct dry seasons. They often survive longer if they are too dry rather than too wet.

Right now I would put it into bright shade but not back in the terrarium. I would not try to do surgery on it. If it is going to survive the dead parts will dry up and fall off. If any parts become mushy I would rub them off with my fingers, rinse the plant and let it dry out again. I would water the plant once a day by getting the whole mount wet, then putting it back into bright shade.

[nzadro]

It actually loved the terrarium for the 3 weeks I had it. New growth, leaves were getting huge and a beautiful green. It would dry out in there. The humidity is set between 70 to 85% and it is generally the same temps. There is air flow from a small vents in the exo terra. It isnt a fancy set up by any means, but everything I have in there has been happy.
Would putting it in an open ziploc help hold in some humidity? It can get light by being right outside the terrarium.

[estación seca]

If it dried out in the terrarium, then that was good. I would let it dry out now, until you know how much might survive. These thick-leaved orchids are very well adapted to survive low humidity spells. If you put dying wet plant tissue into a high-humidity terrarium, fungus might invade the plant and cause more damage.

[SouthPark]

Totally agree with what ES mentioned about the orchid becoming more prone to fungal or bacterial attack if became weakened due to the bug attack and the soaking.

When rotting or mushiness is seen, then there's going to be bacterial activity right now.

Some gentle air-movement and comfortable temperature might help to stabilise the situation. But maybe applying some treatment, like Montery Garden Phos could be helpful as well.

The olive green colour most likely means deterioration. The spread of that needs to stop.

If there are real mushy portions of leaves, then get some sterilised cutting tools to remove it ----- sometimes snipping a little bit extra - just in case.

[nzadro]

Many thanks to you both.
The roots are getting shriveled. I should water it on its schedule and avoid the leaves? Would adding some kelpmax help healing for the roots and plant overall?

.....
Edit
Oh man. Nevermind. It is DEAD. Roots are just....dead.
Ah well, we live. We learn.

[Ray]

The discoloration of the leaves and how it progressed suggests an erwinia infection.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Ray

The discoloration of the leaves and how it progressed suggests an erwinia infection.

I'm with Ray on that one. Classic signs.

---------- Post added at 09:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 AM ----------

PS And if you had it in the terrarium for three weeks, I'd treat the others in the terrarium were it me. Ray or ES or someone could tell you what to treat with, if they concur.