Plant in Semi-Hydro Going Down Fast...
I’m about 85% sure this is Paphiopedilum spiceriana, but the tag disappeared years ago. Anyway, plant history: Purchased in January 2017, and has never thrived. I repotted it when I purchased it, and the original mix was mush at that point. In May of that year, I brought home some new plants, and just have gotten into non-big box stores orchids, did not quarantine so this plant got infested with mealy bugs. (A whole other story, but I think I may have *finally* eliminated them. They were immune to imidacloprid!!!!) I finally rid this guy for mealy bugs around January of this year with a rigorous alcohol regiment. I believe the bugs certainly factored into why the plant did nothing the first several years I had it. No growth, no changes, just sitting.
It did eventually start losing its roots, so in February I transplanted it into a container of spag moss and it finally grew a second set of leaves. It also had a brief fungus gnat infestation – ugg! Anyway, it seemed to like the dampness of the spag, and I wanted the gnats gone, so I transferred it to semi-hydro. It’s been in there about 2 months. It is at the bottom of my case, and gets light, but is quite shaded. I also have a heat mat under him, which provides a couple of extra degrees about the typical 72. Humidity is usually around 70-80%. Anyway, last week, a leaf turned yellow and dropped. Didn’t think it was a big deal, but today the remaining leaves are looking really bad. It was not like that two days ago when I did a water change. I have been completely overflowing the container weekly, and there is decent air circulation in the case.
After having it so long, and finally seeing a glimmer of hope, I really want to save it… Advice?
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