Pseudobulb Browning on P. elata - Orchid Board

abigaillevans · #1 05-07-2011, 04:06 PM

Hello OB!

I have a P. elata with one mature pseudobulb that's browning and I can't figure out why. The plant seems healthy: it's got two new psuedobulbs growing out from underneath the plant and is putting out new leaves, and the roots look fine. One of the leaves that's coming out of this pseudobulb is healthy, but the other one has yellowed.

Is this psedobulb rotting? The brown spot isn't mushy and I'm careful not to splash water between the bulbs, but it may have gotten wet when it rained... I'm lost. What do you think it is?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 05-09-2011, 10:38 PM

Yes, it's rotting. It doesn't have to be mushy.

Hold back on water for at least 2 weeks to 1 month. Then resume regular watering regimen. This is the toughest thing to do out of everything that I'm going to recommend. I understand how tempting it is to want to water your plants. Just put it in a place where it will receive an adequate amount of light and warmth, but also where you can't see it all the time.

I don't know if cinnamon would help in your case.

However...

You could brand that brown area with a hot piece of metal.

Changing to fresh potting media could help out too. You could inspect the roots for damage and remove the dead ones while you're at it.

Maybe even reduce the size of the pot significantly. Perhaps even use a clear plastic pot instead of an opaque one - they dry out faster, allow light to pass through to the roots to some degree, and allows you to see what's happening in the root zone.

stefpix · #3 05-09-2011, 11:12 PM

what about also cutting off with a blade the brown area and a bit extra of healthy tissue, cleaning with H2O2 and sealing the cut with Super Glue or some wax from a candle?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 05-09-2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefpix

what about also cutting off with a blade the brown area and a bit extra of healthy tissue, cleaning with H2O2 and sealing the cut with Super Glue or some wax from a candle?

Cool idea, never thought of this. Could work too.

silken · #5 05-09-2011, 11:34 PM

Garden sulfur powder also works. I put it on the cut area and sometimes try sprinkling it on and around the soil and bulb if the problem isn't real bad.

abigaillevans · #6 05-10-2011, 01:51 AM

Which would be less harmful to the new growth: cutting off water for an extended period of time or cutting the pseudobulb?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 05-10-2011, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abigaillevans

Which would be less harmful to the new growth: cutting off water for an extended period of time or cutting the pseudobulb?

This is not the decision you have to make. As far as the two things you mentioned are concerned, you have to do both in order to succeed. So, that means temporarily cutting off water and removing the bruising from the pseudobulb.

That bruising is caused by too much water. Just removing the bruise only temporarily gets rid of the blemish, but will not address the real issue. The problem will resurface again if you decide to continue watering using your regular regimen.

Therefore, temporarily withholding water is mandatory in your case. But so is the removal of the bruise in order to stop the bruising from outright demolishing the rest of the plant.

The choice is in which method you decide to use to remove the bruising and how the wound will be dressed. Stefpix, silken and I have given you the choices in the courses of action you can take. In fact, you can mix and match any one of these methods in any way you see fit to get the job done.

My recommendation of changing out the media, looking over the roots for dead roots, and removing them is a good way to cover your bases. That way, you'll know if you need to down pot. This leads into my other recommendation for the type of pot to use (choosing to use a different type of pot is optional), because you're already in the action of repotting, here you can choose what kind of pot to use.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 05-10-2011, 04:23 AM

@abigaillevans: If you want a point of reference in order to see a pattern, RosieC had a plant that had the same problem as your plant currently does, a long while back.

Instead of a Peristeria elata, her plant was a hybrid Miltoniopsis.

@ RosieC: I hope you don't mind me using your plant's situation as a point of reference.

stefpix · #9 05-10-2011, 09:58 AM

What is potted in? looks a bit like regular potting soil.

stefpix · #10 05-10-2011, 10:00 AM

"Peristerias need a mix that will drain freely, but enjoy a tight fit in their pot. A mix that allows stale conditions at the roots will be quite a problem. Use a mix that will allow you to water at least four to five times a week in the heat of summer, supplying fresh water to the roots on a steady flow. Some people have excellent success potting in various mosses, but take care not to pot too tightly with any moss. Pot firmly, but not as if you were pounding Osmunda fiber.

Occasionally, you may notice little brown spotting on the leaves of your Peristeria. There may be more than one cause, but frequently this spotting is caused by Cercospora peristeriae Burnett. The spots are usually seen on the base of the leaves, and may first be noticed by yellowing patches, which eventually turn brown and dry to the touch. Generally, the damage is limited and Peristeria elata is the only known host, so spreading of the spottiness to other plants is unlikely. You can treat these areas with Benlate (50&WP) at about one tablespoon per gallon. Make certain that you drench the undersides of the leaves thoroughly when you apply any pesticide to any plants, but especially in this case, as the active spores are released on the underside of the leaves.

"
Peristeria elata Orchid Care - Carter and Holmes Orchids Culture