Mystery Masdie - Orchid Board

jrodpad · #1 02-21-2011, 11:10 AM

I have a Noid masdie that hates it here. I have a hard time keeping it evenly moist, its in sphagnum that needs to be changed and it's slowly dying off despite my efforts to keep it alive. I bought it out of bloom and even though I've had it for a few years, it's never bloomed.

Imagine my surprise when i was watering it yesterday and discovered a flower spike! What?!! This plant is a mess - how on earth can it have the energy to throw out a flower? I thought this only happened when orchids were happy? I thought I'd never know what color the flower is. Now I have a chance.

Keep your fingers crossed.

-J

Zoi2 · #2 02-22-2011, 12:01 AM

My fingers are crossed for you, good luck.
Joann

quiltergal · #3 02-22-2011, 03:32 AM

Odds are it will be white with yellow tails.

Bolero · #4 02-22-2011, 04:37 AM

Some plants take a long time to get to flower, maybe this is one that takes a bit longer than others. Looks promising, can't wait to see the final photo.

Discus · #5 02-22-2011, 05:04 AM

Does anyone know what that blackish "dust" on those leaves is?

I recently got a Masdevallia that has that, but worse on some of its leaves - is it some kind of fungus (sooty mould or rust or something)?

If so, is there a recommended treatment?

jrodpad · #6 02-22-2011, 10:27 AM

I vote fungus. It had a few spots when I first got it - and I really didn't pay too close attention. I tried keeping this guy in a terrarium for a while, for humidity purposes and made the situation worse. Much worse. Now it lives on my windowsill and suffers from low humidity, but he black spot issue has stopped spreading - or isn't spreading as fast.

I don't really see a solution that doesn't exacerbate the low humidity problem - but I'm ALL EARS if someone has a way to fix this.

-J

Daethen · #7 02-22-2011, 10:33 AM

Recently bought my first 3 masdies. I hope I can do right by them. They are all in spike at the moment. I have a bit of the black on some of my leaves too so am hoping someone enlightens all of us.

RosieC · #8 02-22-2011, 01:06 PM

Is it a dust or is it dark spots on the leaves?

What I can see in your picture looks like the dark spots on the leaves mine had. I was told they are prone to this if kept a bit warm. Since I've been keeping mine in the greenhouse all new leaves have been fine.

jrodpad · #9 02-22-2011, 01:20 PM

Dark spots - so that's good news! The little terrarium did get hot and the windowsill is cold, so that all fits.

Thanks Rosie!

-J