Uh-oh!!! Masdie problem!!! - Page 5 - Orchid Board

gmdiaz · #41 10-14-2007, 10:18 AM

Very interesting, Shakkai & Bolero. What is the name & author of this book?

Sounds like any kind of stress causes the leaf drop. Usually, it's related to too much heat but I am thinking it could also be caused by being moved around too much, too many temp & humidity changes. . .as we try to find the happy spot. I think where Sue and I biffed it the worst, were the target temps.

Sue was providing high humidity, low light levels and good air circulation.

Sue, what was your actual high-low temp range? And what range were you shooting for? I think you mentioned that you didn't go as cold as you thought the plants required?

shakkai · #42 10-14-2007, 11:35 AM

Title: Masdevallias: Gems of the Orchid World
Authors: Mary E. Gerritsen & Ron Parsons

My copy was published in 2005 by Timber Press.
ISBN: 0-88192-737-6

I think you are right, Gwen, in that any kind of stress will cause the plant to shed leaves. Though I am not so sure that it was simply warmer temps that caused the leaf drop. I thought Sue had said she was spot on with the daytime temps, and only the nighttime temps weren't as low as the 'guidelines'....

cb977 · #43 10-14-2007, 11:54 AM

Daytime temps were in around 65 F and I was able to get the nights down to the mid-high 50s.

The information listed in Orchidwiz, according to Bakers's:

rolfeana: day averages 65-70 F and nights 48-52
schroederiana: day averages 64-69 and nights 47-51

Both kept in shaded/low light conditions, high humidity (Baker's suggest 80-85% and I had that easily), strong air movement (Done!)... ???

shakkai · #44 10-14-2007, 12:29 PM

Sue, why yours dropped its leaves still has me scratching my head!

It may have just been travel shock? If your roots still look healthy, I'd be tempted to just leave it in place for a while and see if it sends up any new leaves...

gmdiaz · #45 10-14-2007, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakkai

Sue, why yours dropped its leaves still has me scratching my head!

It may have just been travel shock? If your roots still look healthy, I'd be tempted to just leave it in place for a while and see if it sends up any new leaves...

Me too. . .still mulling over the mystery.

I tried the just leave it in place to see if any new leaves MIGHT come up. . .nothing.

Thanks for the book info!

Ross · #46 10-14-2007, 02:26 PM

Just a quick observation (this has nothing to do with Masdies 'cause I don't grow them and know very little about them) however lots of other orchids will respond with dropped leaves, sulking, wilt, etc. while they get used to the new environment. I've had shriveled roots that all of a sudden (maybe 6 months+) start sending out new green ends. I've had mounts in the orchidarium roots turn black and sulk then all of a sudden start a new leaf and the same black roots send out new ends (one is doing that now along with what appears to be either a new root or hopefully a spike.) My point is that unless you know the exact conditions the orchid was being grown under before you aquired it, and unless you carry on with those conditions, perhaps there is an adjustment period it must go through before it continues growing?

BTW, I rarely follow the stated temperature recommendations except in a very general way. I have a Dykia that is supposed to require "very warm" and "very wet" and grows side by side with others that don't. It's got new roots and leaves forming. It bloomed with two gorgeous pink racemes of flowers. Hope there's something in this ramble that will trigger a thought or two and hope I can encourage you all to not give up with your venture.

shakkai · #47 10-14-2007, 03:03 PM

Gwen & Sue, It could take weeks or months (as Ross so wonderfully pointed out). As long as the its not a rotting mess, it still could pull through.

What Ross says is a great reminder to us all of just how adaptable these plants are. No, Masdies won't grow out in full sun in the heat of Florida. But by providing it with the conditions that you have, Sue & Gwen, it should adapt - I too hope you guys don't give up!

gmdiaz · #48 10-14-2007, 03:07 PM

Excellent points!

Give up? Not a chance.

cb977 · #49 10-14-2007, 03:18 PM

There are way too many others to care for to be concerned about these two

Live and learn

Bolero · #50 10-14-2007, 07:42 PM

I can't explain why you couldn't get them happy then. Your conditions obviously should have been ok for them.

The only other thing I can think of is that they might be a little too wet. But I can't say for sure, I let mine almost dry out before watering.

Yes there are many others you can grow and sometimes that's the way to go.......that's why I don't grow Aerides and Vanda's.