Hawaiian turning brown - bigger pot? too much sun? water? Help please!
 

My Hawaiian has been turning brown and dropping some leaves lately. I am thinking it needs a slightly bigger pot, but I have been told they like a small pot so I am not sure if I want to re-pot it.

Also read it could be too much sun, but I kind of doubt that given the exposure it gets. Also read varying input about watering. So much mixed info online! Ugh!

A couple pics attached... what do you all think??? Don't pay too much attention to my kitties nibbles. ;)

Thanks in advance for your help.

Looks like Oncidium alliance ...?
I would check the roots. Most likely it has either been over or under watered.

Some of the leaves are buckled into what looks like an accordion. That is a sign that it is not getting enough water.

It also does look possibly like sunburn.

These guys grow in moderately bright indirect light. Any kind of direct light will burn them very easily.

this can be from too little OR too much water (too much causing the roots to rot)

According to the "complete guide to orchids....endorsed by the American orchid society" leaf "pleating" is caused by a lack of water.....not overwatering, and cannot be reversed on existing leaves

I recommend visiting a local grower, or using the AOS website for great info......you never know what level if experience you get on the Internet.....

over watering can lead to root loss from rot & thereby leaf pleating from the loss of ability to absorb moisture to the leaves
no need for underhanded comments :rolleyes:
it is however irreversible
check the roots and if the media is breaking down maybe freshen that up

Ok.....I simply quoted a universally recognized expert in orchid growing and cultivation

What is the source of your information?

Underhanded? I simply stated it is a big unknown what level of knowledge Internet posters have......

Pm me and we can have an offline conversation to discuss.....

Sorry, I'm tired and it's Friday and you seem a bit wound up so... enjoy that

:sly:

It's Tuesday dude....PM me anytime and I can give you some great orchid references

Over-watering causes roots to die, and the plant then suffers from a lack of water, displaying the same symptoms as an under-watered one.

This plant has been neglected for starters. Looks like a brassidium or odontocidium but can't tell. But it should have been repotted last year or the year before. The media, as far as I can see from the pics, is too coarse (did I say that!!???) which is the cause of the pleated leaves. A very dry/very wet cycle can have the same effect as too wet or too dry. There could also be an underlying critter infestation. Carefully pull off those dried old leaf sheaths. CAREFULLY. Then repot this plant in a finer bark media. Those new growths look old enough to have put out new roots. Not real fine but like 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Put some shredded moss or sponge rock in it. 1/3 ratio is good. Then when you water it, do so and then let it become almost dry before watering again. Is this planted in an inner pot then placed in this designer pot or is this the pot? These plants like plastic pots. They stay more moist in plastic. But never wet. Just moist.