What is wrong with this?

[Kittyfrex]

Could anyone tell me what is actually happening to this one? It was labeled an odontoglossum hybrid, if it means anything.

As for the problem - it sends out new growth just fine; one had even semi-matured, but must shoots just start wilting sooner or later.

As for it's care - the highest summertime temps of 32°c, lowest the past two winters 17-18° nighttime. I usually wait until it's almost dry before watering, with fertilizating usually once a month with one of the waterings.

What confuses me is that i have two oncidiums next to it that bloomed about 6 or 7 times in last two years, doubling in size. That and the fact that not all shoots wilt from the same direction; some start at the top and some at the bottom.

Any ideas if it's medical or am i just doing something wrong for this orchid?

[Ray]

I would guess that you!re growing it too warm, but that’s going to depend upon which-, and how much of cool-growing odontoglossum is in its background.

[Kittyfrex]

Originally Posted by Ray

I would guess that you!re growing it too warm, but that’s going to depend upon which-, and how much of cool-growing odontoglossum is in its background.

Well, i guess i'll move it to my cool room for the rest of the season. But it gets to 10° (a few degrees higher than outside) in there come night time in winter; should i get it a bit warmer then?

[NatalieS]

When I was growing odontoglossum types they would take 12/13C at night for extended periods without visible ill effects (kept drier of course at those temps). What temp is your cool room during the day atm?

[Roberta]

Another thought... Odontoglossum (Oncidium tribe) plants don't want to dry out. They do need to stay evenly moist. It it is warm, even more the case.

[estación seca]

I agree it looks like not enough water. I think they should not even approach dry when making new growth. Many Odontoglossums grow high in mountains, where nights reach 5C or lower, and are constantly wet from fog.

[Kittyfrex]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

When I was growing odontoglossum types they would take 12/13C at night for extended periods without visible ill effects (kept drier of course at those temps). What temp is your cool room during the day atm?

Right now, it's 30°c on the hottest of days (think 40 outside). Outside of that, parhaps a constant-ish 28.

---------- Post added at 09:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:04 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Another thought... Odontoglossum (Oncidium tribe) plants don't want to dry out. They do need to stay evenly moist. It it is warm, even more the case.

It doesn't. It was dry-ish for one day out of the last 365, about...7 months ago. I've even packed up it's moss more than my phals, to take into consideration my climate (fast drying out rates)

---------- Post added at 09:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:05 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

I agree it looks like not enough water. I think they should not even approach dry when making new growth. Many Odontoglossums grow high in mountains, where nights reach 5C or lower, and are constantly wet from fog.

That's as low as D. nobile and Cymbidiums go (aproximately), and they are outside plants for me. It did cross my mind that it could of inherited some of that super cold loving genes, but i have no idea of it's lineage.
Last two years, our winters only ever dipped bellow 4C a few spread out days, and even then there was no freezing. Daytime ranged from 10 to 20, depending on clouds, wind and rain.
That said - is it necessary for them to 'cool down' or is it just a tolerating thing?

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by Kittyfrex

Right now, it's 30°c on the hottest of days (think 40 outside). Outside of that, parhaps a constant-ish 28.

Mine grew best at about 25C daytime summer temps, with some variation, so I'd definitely move it to your cool room for that little temp drop.

You also might try pulling it out of the plastic pot and dropping it into a clay pot - your moss looks fine, so I wouldn't remove any of the medium. The porous clay will cause some evaporative cooling, which means you will likely have to water more often, but mine sulked until I moved them into terracotta.

[Kittyfrex]

Originally Posted by NatalieS

Mine grew best at about 25C daytime summer temps, with some variation, so I'd definitely move it to your cool room for that little temp drop.

You also might try pulling it out of the plastic pot and dropping it into a clay pot - your moss looks fine, so I wouldn't remove any of the medium. The porous clay will cause some evaporative cooling, which means you will likely have to water more often, but mine sulked until I moved them into terracotta.

Whelp, i already have to water it every few days. Terracotta is really bad here, as even some cacti and succulents hate being in it, even at a constant 50-80% humidity this summer. Saying that also reminded me - that room has issues with humidity (issues for us, not orchids), as it was originally meant to be a rainwater collector that was later changed, so the humidity rarely drops bellow 60%, regardless if the window is open or closed.

[NatalieS]

Originally Posted by Kittyfrex

Whelp, i already have to water it every few days. Terracotta is really bad here, as even some cacti and succulents hate being in it, even at a constant 50-80% humidity this summer. Saying that also reminded me - that room has issues with humidity (issues for us, not orchids), as it was originally meant to be a rainwater collector that was later changed, so the humidity rarely drops bellow 60%, regardless if the window is open or closed.

What do you mean when you say the terracotta is bad? How do the plants react to it? Do you mean that the medium dries out too fast? Succulents are going to be in already very free draining medium that doesn't retain water, so yeah, I can imagine they might not like the faster drying porous pots.

Packed sphagnum moss on the other hand retains a lot of water.

I mean, about 28C avg daytime temp, 60% humidity with an open window, packed sphag, and a clay pot sounds pretty good to me, but everyone's environment is different unfortunately - what works for one may not work for another.