*sigh* I have a problem...

[Pilot]

I don't know what it is but for the life of me I cannot get my violacea and bellina species to thrive like my other orchids. They are warm-growing, so each one lives on a heating mat and have the prime spot near the warm mist humidifier but they just do not thrive. I am very careful not to let them touch other plants or let cold water drop on their leaves and yet I get those unsightly black specks on the leaves and the leaves begin to go pale yellow. Perhaps the light is too strong? T8s, roughly 6 to 8 inches beneath the bulbs....oops...actually they're under t12s ATM. Anyway, I have several other warm growing species-- speciosa, tetrispis etc-- all doing really well. All are grown in s/h and are flushed at least once a week followed by a weak 1/4 strength fertilizer (grow more 20-20-20). No idea what the humidity in the basement is, but it is warm in there and the humidity is noticeably higher (I'm in Colorado, and a humidity of around 20% inside isn't uncommon but in my growing lair, the humidity, I would guess, is 50-60%). Ambient temp seems to be pegged at 75 degrees F-- its a high low therm and I haven't reset the low-- not sure there is a low, though, because its the basement and pretty steady with the boiler on the opposite side of the room.

What else might people need to know to help me with growing these plants better? I'm all ears.

I should mention again that I do have other warm growing phals and standard phals and they're doing extremely well. So I'm guessing there is something i'm not giving these guys but not sure what!

Thanks!

[Kelo]

I grow my violacea with all the other chids. I too get fairly large black spots but mine are growing like mad. Not sure exactly what's causing the black spots or why yours aren't thriving. In practically all respects mine have the same conditions as you have. My RH is usually between 60 - 80.

[gnathaniel]

Do you have a fan in your setup? Black spots sounds like fungus, and good air movement can be a pretty effective antifungal tonic. You could also try dosing them every once in a while with extra calcium and magnesium (cal nitrate and mag sulfate work well for this), sometimes this helps sensitive plants become more robust.

Of course I've killed many more Phalaenopsis than I've ever bloomed, so feel free to disregard any or all of the above...

--Nat

[silken]

I'm wondering if its too much light. Baker's culture notes say Phal. violacea only needs 1000 to 1200 fc.

[Bud]

its winter so easy on the fertilizer and the watering...you have a humidifier; its enough for them everyday...just dont let them feel cold water on the roots; use tepid water
good luck; hope it recovers this spring/summer warmer months

[Zoi2]

If the leaves are getting a washed out color they're getting too much light. I am wondering if you're not keeping it too warm with 75 degrees plus a heat mat. Don't these guys like 70's during the day and around 65 at night?
Joann

[Bud]

Joann is right...I overlooked the heatmat...and washed out look is too much light and dark green leaves is not much light...let the Phals feel some drop in temperature...they will start to spike and flower for you...70F in the day and 55F at night...oh and heat mats are good because they are on S/H...the roots dont like cold water...but esy on the room temp...and have a small oscillating electric fan

[quiltergal]

Mine are both growing well directly under T5s which are brighter than T8s and T12s. I don't think the black spots are due to light. They might not be good candidates for S/H. They are both pretty touchy, bellina more so than violacea.

[silken]

Those two like it pretty warm, even in winter. 55 at night would be too cold I am thinking.

[zxyqu]

I'm thinking the lack of spiking though is the temp never drops. Just my 2 cents though. Maybe a week or so at lower temps?