Aerides leaf problem
 

Hello,

I'm concerned about my Aerides Multiflora seedling. All of the leaves are nice and green, except for one. It's kind of a reddish/brown colour, similar to the "flushed" colour I see on some orchids that are getting enough sun.

However, it is quite a bit softer than the others, and has wrinkles on it. The plant wiggles slightly in the pot, but that may be because it has such a thin stem. I also noticed a dead snail on the bottom of the pot (outside). I've been advised to avoid repotting it until it has many roots sticking out of the pot. But I'm thinking I should repot it now to see what's going on with the roots.

I haven't encountered this before. Any suggestions on what I should do?

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Did it get cold?

It wouldn't have experienced temps below 70

---------- Post added at 10:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:09 PM ----------

Usually day temps are around 79-82

I can make a few guesses but I really can't give you any definite answer as I don't know exactly how you are growing this and I can't really examine it. But here are some ideas:
1) spidermite?
2) some other sucking insect hiding in the folds?
3) this one leaf near a cold window?
4) water in the crown near this leaf? I have had this happen. Caught in time, you just lose the leaf.
5) root problem (I don't think that this is it, though)
6) some other bacterial or fungal disease
7) if you are growing under lights, could it be too close?

Hopefully, someone else can help you better. :)

---------- Post added at 10:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:54 PM ----------

When I got my little oderata, it didn't mind being re-potted. I put it in a vanda basket with red lava rock and it just kept growing.

I think I can eliminate spidermites (never had them before, but no signs of them on the plant), other sucking insects in the folds, and I do not grow it anywhere near the light I have.

However:

3) I do keep it right on the windowsill during the day. It is possible that it might have touched the cold window (it's still pretty cool here in southern Ontario) though not probable. My thermometer near the window usually reads in the higher 70s. It's odd that the leaf right below it is not affected at all, though.

4) There is some more discolouration where the leaf meets the stem. It's not soft or wet. I only water the moss that the plant is in, but it's possible that some water got in there before I acquired it (pictures below) Could I treat it with Hydrogen Peroxide?

5) Could be a root problem, but no visible roots yet :(

One other thing is that the affected leaf is not nearly as "open" as the others. The tip is still a tight "V"

Was your oderata still a seedling when you repotted it? I am itching to repot mine, actually. I just don't want to set it back.

Thank you so much for your help :) I'm still very new at this.

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Is the entire leaf that color or is the top of the leaf green like the others?

My Aerides is a seedling and it didn't mind at all being re-potted when I received it almost two years ago. I put it in a plastic Vanda basket with red lava rock as I enjoy seeing the roots. These grow quite quickly but they have to get a decent size to bloom.
I really don't know what is happening to that leaf but it is likely a good sign that only one leaf is affected. If there is any chance of rot in the center, just pour isopropyl alcohol into the middle to dry and disinfect.
If the plant is new...perhaps the leaf was bent before you received it?
Hopefully, someone else knows exactly what is happening. Good luck!

nikkik- Most of the discolouration is on the bottom side of the leaf. There is a little bit on top, near the very end of the leaf.

Leafmite- I think I will keep an eye out for a little basket for it, then :)

The leaf was a little red when I got it, but it has definitely progressed. I will try out the isopropyl alcohol.

I asked about the leaf color because I was wondering if that leaf may be getting more light then the rest. It almost looks like pink pigmentation in the leaf caused by elevated light levels.

Is it possible for a leaf to be more sensitive than the others? Because the whole plant would have received the same amount of light. It sits in front of a west window and gets some southern light too.