What happened to my Seikai? - Orchid Board

Yazz · #1 11-02-2015, 01:22 PM

Was watering today and found what looks like the top growth of my Seikai has partially fallen off and there's marks on the leaves.

Were the leaves bumped, or is something else going on?

She's a windowsill neo and there are no animals in the house.

Leafmite · #2 11-02-2015, 02:27 PM

Perhaps fungus? Has water gotten on the leaves? These little Vandas can be prone to crown rot and fungus, just like other Vanda-types.

Yazz · #3 11-02-2015, 06:26 PM

I mist the neos each time I soak them. Usually they're dry by noon. I feel sick.

The top leaves are holding onto the plant by a thread. Thinking on cutting them the rest of the way off, dabbing a bit of peroxide on the wound and saying a prayer.

Wish the culprit was a naughty house lizard...

wintergirl · #4 11-02-2015, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yazz

I mist the neos each time I soak them. Usually they're dry by noon.

I think that "misting" is the problem. Keep the leaves/fans dry. Only wet the roots.

Yazz · #5 11-03-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintergirl

I think that "misting" is the problem. Keep the leaves/fans dry. Only wet the roots.

I'm learning about not misting the hard way. *Sigh*

From now on, the only thing getting misted is my vanda roots.

---------- Post added at 12:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:57 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by vjo

I agree with wintergirl about the misting, that can be fatal for a lot of the mini orchids. It may seem like a mist to us but a flood to to some of those babies....Jean

Never thought about the size of a plant vs. misting. Thought I was doing the Mother Nature thing...

Just want to put in here that the Seikai was the first traditional neo I bought. Lots of worry and prayers going on here.

---------- Post added at 12:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:05 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

I don't grow these at all, but just looking at your photo as a gardener of many years, the pot and amount of sphagnum seems enormous for such a tiny plant. I would be worried it would get soggy wet and stay that way for a long time. However these are traditionally grown in Japan, that method suits the climate and light in Japan, and I would consider trying to grow them far from home in exactly the same manner to be more a stunt than horticulture.

Thank you for your concern. There's a trick to potting neos. The airy pots have a hole in the bottom, and there is a hole in the middle of the spag for even drying. You water them when the spag gets crunchy.

Video: Neofinetia falcata Repotting Tutorial - Orchids Limited

This is how I pot my neos, but I put a 2" net pot over the bottle, then start putting the spag on. I feel that the air cone in the middle might collapse over time. To me, using the net pot insures that doesn't happen.

Sorry about not being able to give you a link, but it's locked. A search will bring the video up.

---------- Post added at 01:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobinDavis

It is hard to see the fan clearly. Please take another picture from the side looking at the fan and get closer if you can. I have a different take on what has happened. Looks to me like insect damage. You said that the growth was hanging on by a thread and that there were marks on the leaves. I had marks on my 'Tama Kongo' leaves this past summer from an insect chomping on them. Inspect the moss and pot to see if something isn't hiding in it.

Sorry about the picture, only have my cell phone. That was the best pic I could get.

Oh dear, thought keeping the orchids inside would keep the bugs away. Going to de-moss tonight and do a thorough inspection looking for a suspect muncher.

Hope your 'Tama Kongo' has recovered from the chomping.

Marco · #6 11-02-2015, 07:09 PM

This looks like it's the topmost growth. Did the plant fall? I've dropped quite a few neos and the leaf developing inside the crown gets damaged and come out distorted. If it did fall and is not rot I would just let it grow out.

If it's rot I would dry it out as quick as possible and remove all affected areas.

I'm sure there's tons of post here on rot. Rot looks the same on all orchids regardless of genera.

Yazz · #7 11-02-2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

This looks like it's the topmost growth. Did the plant fall? I've dropped quite a few neos and the leaf developing inside the crown gets damaged and come out distorted. If it did fall and is not rot I would just let it grow out.

If it's rot I would dry it out as quick as possible and remove all affected areas.

I'm sure there's tons of post here on rot. Rot looks the same on all orchids regardless of genera.

Have knocked over a neos a time or two, but never dropped one. That day will come, I'm sure.

Think it's rot. The leaves were hanging on by a few green threads and I cut them off. The red part by the base of the leaves was damp, not soggy like a phal or paph, but was damper than the green side of the leaves cut off.

Found out the crown is a hole once the leaves were gone. Filled it with peroxide, and it was absorbed into the plant. Did it one more time then put cinnamon in it to seal it up.

Hope my micro-surgery works...

Marco · #8 11-02-2015, 07:59 PM

You have steadier hands than I do! I have knocked some over and they rolled around then fell on the floor.

Keep us posted on what happens. I'm crossing my fingers. I don't like rot.

Yazz · #9 11-02-2015, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marco

You have steadier hands than I do! I have knocked some over and they rolled around then fell on the floor.

Keep us posted on what happens. I'm crossing my fingers. I don't like rot.

Nothing about steady hands. The neos are on a humidifier tray from KK that has a large grid. Trying to get those plastic footed neo pots to stay upright on the grid is an excise in patience. They fall over easy, but don't roll far.

Will give updates on how Seikai is doing. It was a toss-up between just cinnamon, or filling in the hole with Elmer's Glue-cinnamon paste. I opted to see what nature would do to heal.

Have tossed a few plants due to rot. Not fun. Rescued Beallara Purple Haze 'Jimmy Hendrix' from overwatering rot though. How many people can say they brought Jimi back to life.

vjo · #10 11-02-2015, 10:49 PM

I agree with wintergirl about the misting, that can be fatal for a lot of the mini orchids. It may seem like a mist to us but a flood to to some of those babies....Jean