Multiple plants I'm anxious about
 

Since my reliable Coelogyne Fimbriata has been funky recently, it's made me examine some plants more closely. Out of my collection, my concerns are the images attached, which have been labeled what species they are.

Firstly, I grow all of them in semi hydroponics, so I suspect Ray will be able to help a lot. I also must admit my fertilisation using an NPK blend has been abysmal, however my cal-mag routine has been OK.

All are under grow lights, with varying intensities. The Aeridis for example recieves a good blast of light, however the Bulbophyllum obviously recieves less.

I think that all the photographed issues speak for themselves. The Coelgyne worried me however as the black spots were slightly indented, and are also in a curiously rounded formation.

I will say, I've had the Aeridis for a number of years, and it has always been dramatic, and always had these large black spots appearing. The yellowing however is from light overexposure. I know that because I put it in a brighter location, and then it yellowed a bit.

Sorry for always resorting here for my problems, but I appreciate the support. I have also got a 7-2-5 NPK fertiliser I'm now using, and I'm mixing that with cal-mag for about a 180 tds concentration.

I think you worry too much. I don't see any problem with the Bulbophyllum, for example. And if there are some issues with the other plants I think they are minor and maybe related to somewhat too much light? That's easy to fix.

Also, it is Aerides (not Aeridis).

Thanks. Sorry for the mis-spelling!

I do worry too much, and when it is someone else's problems I tend to be more analytical, but when it's my own plants I become a lot more nervous!

At least the grow lights work! If anyone does have any other input please tell me though!

Aerides has a heat/light burn. Some like plenty of light and some are shade plants. Look them up at the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia.

Prosthechea needs a lot of water. In S/H you should water it more than once a week.

The fertilizer you're using and your dilution lead to almost no nutrition. I suggest reading the nutrition section at the First Rays Web site.

There is no such thing as a TDS meter. I know they're sold but they provide useless readings. You can read why this is so if you do some searching here on OB. Instead, measure your fertilizer liquid or powder, and water, to get a reasonable dilution. You can find a nitrogen fertilizer calculator at Ray's Web site.

The only one I'd be concerned about is the NOID Cymbidium with lots of black spots. It could be fungal, could be virus, or could just be a case of ugly Cymbidium leaves. If just a few leaves, with new growth looking clean, maybe just a transient problem. But I'd keep it separate from the rest of the collection. If the plant isn't thriving and shows signs of declining, consider the bin. If it is growing and blooming, worth keeping (in its own space) I have had Cyms that looked like that and tested negative, I have had others that tested positive so you can't tell by looks alone.

The dwarf Cym I don't see any problem. The other ones, also you're probably over-thinking.

So I've tested it, and it's negative, it also threw out 2 flower spikes this year and didn't colour break or anything. The dwarf NoID actually threw out one flower spike, with 1 single bud, but that blasted and dropped. However, it's had a tough time of consistent neglect so that's the first time it's ever even tried to flower so I'm maybe doing something right, now.

That said, I'm not sure where I could segregate it permanently, as I don't have anywhere that could support the brightness they require. It has also always had these black spots, but they did spread over time. But it has grown fairly quickly, chucking out new pseudobulbs, and probably will soon literally split the plastic pot that it's in.

It's been near these plants for about 3 months and that black spotting hasn't shown up anywhere else.

Perhaps I'll test it again to be sage though.

If the Cym is growing well, likely just a case of "ugly Cym leaves". When you repot, use good hygiene... protect surfaces with newspaper or other covering, gloves, sterilize tools after using. Don't share water. (Whether virus, fungus/bacteria, or just "unknown", these are good practices anyway)

Oh of course, bleach is my best friend. And I grow in semi hydroponics so never share water, and dont have any water dripping problems either.

If you keep it up. The plants will drive you to the looney bin.

Well im half way to an OCD diagnosis so it might also be that too!

When uneven spotting appears on my plants I instantly get my back up and it just triggers something in me.