Sunburn? - Orchid Board

daemondamian · #1 04-01-2007, 09:31 AM

I was recently given a Symphyglossum sanguineum which has some damaged leaves. My friend suggested it was sunburn, what do y'all think?
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...php?photo=4096

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...php?photo=4097

Damian.

orcdfrk · #2 04-01-2007, 10:18 AM

My guess would be a watering issue; either underwatered or poor water quality. The browning of leaf tips shows up when water is not the best; at least thats what happens to some of mine. Just my opinion.

Rosiefuture · #3 04-01-2007, 10:37 AM

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I have trouble with my coelogyne and stanhopea because of this. Marion

Gin · #4 04-01-2007, 10:38 AM

Hi ,
The newer growth looks undamaged , might be from salt build up from Fertlizer in the past . Or it is beacause the leaves are older and showing it .
As was posted water quality can cause it. To high TDS. total dissolved salts in the water . Some plants just get the brown tips no matter what you do . The plant looks good . Gin

daemondamian · #5 04-01-2007, 10:54 AM

Thanks for the tips guys

My water here is pretty soft- barely any Kh level at all, just in case it is overfertilsation I will give it a real good flushing to flush out any possible built up salts/and or fertliser.

Also the pot is topped off with largeish pebbles, so I'll take them out tommorow to see what the mix underneath is like.

It's actually in spike too

Damian.

Frdemetr · #6 04-01-2007, 11:00 AM

I agree with Gin, "Some plants just get the brown tips no matter what you do", even you use only destiled and sterilized water it happens! In my orchids it occurs in some Bifrenarias, Stanhopeas and Coelogynes, but not in others; although this, no problems in growth or blooming. Your plant appears very healthy for me.
Frederico

Ross · #7 04-01-2007, 10:58 PM

I can tell you for certain that is NOT sunburn. You must flush the pot with fresh water often to get rid of salts build-up (that is what caused the brown splotches). This is common when watering weekly. Folks tend to just water like they might an African Violet, but you really need to submerge the whole plant in water and soak it at least a couple times a month (I do this weakly).

daemondamian · #8 04-03-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsfrid

I can tell you for certain that is NOT sunburn. You must flush the pot with fresh water often to get rid of salts build-up (that is what caused the brown splotches). This is common when watering weekly. Folks tend to just water like they might an African Violet, but you really need to submerge the whole plant in water and soak it at least a couple times a month (I do this weakly).

Hi Frederico and Ross, and thanks for your input

I do flush and also I fertilise very weakly. Another thing that might factor into this is I removed the topping of pebbles on the top of the pot to find something I don't particularly like- milled/chopped sphagnum.

I've tried growing things in sphagnum, sure I guess like any other thing it's a matter of not over watering
but I hate how it can seem crispy dry on the outside but still be wet right in the middle.

I couldn't even master it with Masd. and drac that like it moist/wet!

I only have a Ludisia Discolor cutting and my Cochleanthes aromatica in sphag. now and the C. aromatica is in a net basket so it dries out from all four sides.

Plus C. aromatica doesn't have psuedobulbs so it needs constant moisture and I repotted it with fresh sphag in December and I would probably repot it anually.

Back to the Symphyglossum- the last date on the label was 'divided 12.06.05', and the newer growths/bulbs
[and bulbs with leaves] are above the sphag..

So I can be very conservative and not overwater it, or I could repot it into new bark media but it's in spike...

I don't like the idea of permantly leaving it in the sphag
What to do?

Shadow · #9 04-03-2007, 05:26 AM

I agree with Gin. Looks like salt build. If it was repotted in 2005, I think it is a time to repot it. I repot my orchids in spike. If you do it carefully the plant won't notice. But if you unsure in what you are doing it is better to wait and repot it when it finishes blooming.

daemondamian · #10 04-03-2007, 05:57 AM

Thanks Shadow,
that's what I thought- way overdue for a repotting.

I've read alot of the same thing about sphag being organic, breaking down and plants in mixes with it needing more regular repotting.....

Maybe the sphag was meant to be a temporary situation to get new roots on the division..

I think I can handle a repot, and at the end of the day what would be better- an ok or posibbly poor flower spike on an unhealthy plant or a healthy plant that will some day flower again?