Masdevallia on death's door

[Syrinth]

I have a Masdevallia Measuriana that was doing great... but suddenly, out of nowhere it got these dark green spots on it's leaves, and they started to droop. Then... the leaves just kind of... snapped off halfway up the cane...

I accept that I butchered my Masdevallia, but I don't get what happened, can anyone help me understand?

It was out of direct light, in a room with a South facing window. It was sitting above a tray of water with rocks and even had new growths coming.

The ceiling fan was going, since some recent orchids got... something... http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...g?t=1280108139

so I suspect it may be related to that, but I did spray it down...

Any thoughts?

[s.kallima]

You should stop spraying the leaves if this is what you do, Masdevallias really don't like that and develop rapidly dark spots on the leaves (unless they are outside with lots of air movement)

[Syrinth]

I only sprayed the leaves after the dark spots first appeared... but that might explain it's rapid progression after that...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Okay...

What's the temperature like?

I had this just happen to me too. But I recognized it to be from heat.

Now I'm not saying that it's heat per se, but it may be temperature related.

At the same time it doesn't hurt to check the humidity.

[Syrinth]

I checked the roots and they were all dead, I think I overwatered...

The heat has been fairly variable lately, getting pretty hot although I've made sure to keep it in shady spots. Humidity... I don't have any control over humidity but the general temp has been fairly humid here <_<

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What was the potting media you were using?

How big was the pot in comparison to the plant and root mass?

What kind of pot were you using?

How often did you water?

What kind of water were you using? RO/DI? Tap?

What is the concentration of fertilizer you're using?

Can you give a temperature range of your growing area?

Do you know the heritage of your Masdevallia?

[Syrinth]

What was the potting media you were using?
-Sphagnum moss with a piece of styrofoam in the bottom. Bought it like that a few months ago.

How big was the pot in comparison to the plant and root mass?
-The pot was approximately 60-70% filled with roots. It seemed to be an adequate size.

What kind of pot were you using?
-Small, green plastic pots with holes in the bottom

How often did you water?
-When the sphagnum felt dry

What kind of water were you using? RO/DI? Tap?
-Tap water

What is the concentration of fertilizer you're using?
-I take a pinch of miracle grow between my fingers and mix it into the water, it's a very low amount compared to the recommended dosage.

Can you give a temperature range of your growing area?
-Average monthly temperatures for my city:
June is 12-24 and July is 15-26 in Celsius.

Do you know the heritage of your Masdevallia?
-Masdevallia Measuriana

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Syrinth

How often did you water?
-When the sphagnum felt dry

The sphagnum should feel damp, rather than dry before watering again.

Originally Posted by Syrinth

What kind of water were you using? RO/DI? Tap?
-Tap water

Tap water is generally not recommended for growing Pleurothallids.

Distilled, rainwater, or RO/DI please!

Originally Posted by Syrinth

What is the concentration of fertilizer you're using?
-I take a pinch of miracle grow between my fingers and mix it into the water, it's a very low amount compared to the recommended dosage.

What is the amount of water you're diluting the fertilizer in?

Is the fertilizer urea free?

What is the N-P-K?

Originally Posted by Syrinth

Can you give a temperature range of your growing area?
-Average monthly temperatures for my city:
June is 12-24 and July is 15-26 in Celsius.

Is this also true for your growing area?

Originally Posted by Syrinth

Do you know the heritage of your Masdevallia?
-Masdevallia Measuriana

I should've been more clear with my question. My bad.

But I'll give you the answer to my question so you have an idea of what I meant instead of explaining.

Masdevallia Measuriana = (Masd amabilis x Masd tovarensis)

Both are cool to intermediate growing Masdevallias.

[Tindomul]

When I experience sudden leaf drop (that is the leaves don't appear to die before falling off) I usually stop it by letting the plant dry out a little. In other words its was a consequence of too much watering. I also like to keep all my Masdies potted in netted baskets in sphag. The danger with this is that they will dry out very quickly. But they are easier to water adequately this way I think. good luck in the future.

[Syrinth]

The sphagnum should feel damp, rather than dry before watering again.
-And here was me thinking I had been overwatering by accident... poor thing. Although quite frankly whatever maniac in my group puts a layer of sphag over a different media is insane... it's impossible to tell when it needs water

Tap water is generally not recommended for growing Pleurothallids.

Distilled, rainwater, or RO/DI please!
-Double drat

What is the amount of water you're diluting the fertilizer in?
-I think it's about a litre or so

Is the fertilizer urea free?
-I believe it has some urea in it... DRAT again... and I think we might have had this discussion before too

What is the N-P-K?
-24-8-16


Is this also true for your growing area?
-My growing area is my bedroom, I have a ceiling fan going to circulate the air. My sickroom is the backroom with several windows open

*sigh* I seem to like the cool growers...