Newbie, has a problem.... - Orchid Board

turtlelovesjems · #1 01-12-2011, 08:55 PM

,
One of my orchids hasn't bloomed in a year. I have noticed in the past couple of weeks that it has started to get small black spots in the leaves. Anyone know what it is? I don't even know where to start to look up. Also it's leaves have started going lighter green color, then turning yellow near the tips. Any clue on what I am doing wrong? I have always fed it from the top. I believe it is an Odontocidium Wildcat, I'm not 100% sure because it didn't have any tags when I bought it, it has been over a year since it has bloomed and you guys have so.... many beautiful pictures up that it will take me awhile to find it. I only fert. once a month. I only use the Better-Gro products and bedding. I have it in bark with no moss. Any help will be greatly appreachated.
Thanks a million!

BobInBonita · #2 01-12-2011, 09:42 PM

Pictures help tremendously to figure out.

Without pics - what else has changed? has it been out in the cold? how does the media look? how do the roots look> when was it repotted? if it's in cooler temps now, did you keep watering like during summer?

Answers might help sort out problem

CTB · #3 01-12-2011, 10:12 PM

Sounds like a fungus might be starting. Can you post some pics?

rdlsreno · #4 01-12-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobInBonita

Pictures help tremendously to figure out.

Without pics - what else has changed? has it been out in the cold? how does the media look? how do the roots look> when was it repotted? if it's in cooler temps now, did you keep watering like during summer?

Answers might help sort out problem

I agree!

Ramon

turtlelovesjems · #5 01-13-2011, 12:36 AM

Okay, I keep trying to post pictures but it keeps telling me failed. I will keep trying. As far as repotting, I repotted about 8 months ago with new bark. The roots looked ok, some where bad so I cut them. (i hope I was suspose to) I haven't done any trimming though. I've read 3 different orchid books that just keep confusing me on trimming, some say do and others say don't. When it gets under 65 degrees i bring them inside. They get after 3pm sun (indirect) i face the other direction from the sunrise and sunset. I only water once a week and only if they are dry. I have noticed that once i started with her that they where watering all the time (she was soaked) I backed off b/c everyone says wait until the bedding is dry. Well then I would notice that her stalks started to wrinkle, so I bumped up the watering to once a week again. Also she is starting to split in the middle, could that be from watering from the top?

turtlelovesjems · #6 01-13-2011, 12:58 AM

Here is the plant.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 01-13-2011, 02:18 AM

Brown leaf tips = Leaf tip die back.

I think you also have some mealy bugs on the plant.

Pot may be a tad too big.

Don't worry about the fine little black spotting.

Wrinkled pseudobulbs means it's not getting enough water either due to not watering enough, or severe root rot.

Check your roots.

Please list the following:

1. Lighting (lux, lumens, footcandles, or best description possible).
2. Relative humdity - aka humidity: (%).
3. Temperatures (day/night, seasonal).
4. Air circulation (best description possible).
5. Fertilizer concentration.
6. N-P-K of fertilizer.
7. Urea free fertilizer or not.
8. RO/DI water, rain water, well water, or tap water? Which one(s) are you using?
9. Frequency of watering.

Note: We don't all use the same brand of fertilizers, and we don't all remember what the characteristics of each brand of fertilizer is, but naming the brand is part of the information needed to help you out.

*Barracuda_49* · #8 01-13-2011, 04:37 AM

Mealy bug damage and i would deffinately pitch the potting mix as they will also be down in the bark then treat the whole plant and wash the pot, if it were me i would also trim the dead portions off the plant then repot back in fresh mix, water good and retreat for mealies in few days to a week. Thats just my 2 cents worth..

turtlelovesjems · #9 01-13-2011, 03:51 PM

1. Lighting (lux, lumens, footcandles, or best description possible).
They are on my back porch that gets indirect threw screen and the sun doesn't hit the plants.
2. Relative humdity - aka humidity: (%).
I live in Florida so it is whatever it is outside unless I bring them in because it is too cold.
3. Temperatures (day/night, seasonal).
anywhere from 70-80 somedays higher than others, when it gets in the 60's I bring them inside.
4. Air circulation (best description possible).
they are on a 10x15 porch with screen from top to bottom
5. Fertilizer concentration.
better-gro orchid bloom booster 11-35-15
6. N-P-K of fertilizer.
i don't know what this means
7. Urea free fertilizer or not.
yes, it says it on the bag
8. RO/DI water, rain water, well water, or tap water? Which one(s) are you using?
tap water after it sits from 12-24 hours, which one is better? I use the same for them all
9. Frequency of watering.
once a week, unless they are still wet, then i wait.

turtlelovesjems · #10 01-13-2011, 03:54 PM

as far as my roots, i am going out today to buy it a wooden hanging basket. Do you think that is better than the pot? should i use the bark or go with an moss? I will check the roots when i move it and see. What am I looking for? the ones i can see without removing it are white with green tips. is that good? like i said before i am new at this and every book i get tells me different things so it makes it hard to actually know what thing is better.
Thanks for helping me.