Shipment Stress - Orchid Board

Charlaux · #1 10-06-2015, 05:30 AM

Hi everyone,
So a week ago I received this grumpy princess 'Asconopsis Irene Dobkin' . The picture you see is the condition that it arrived from Germany. With the curly leaves and all I think it is having stress of the shipment ? It was probably on road for 3 days and UK is the not welcoming weather in autumn / winter.

I watered twice with water dilluted hydrogen peroxide. I put near windowsill and it is a big one so it receives good sunlight (in terms of UK weather) The weather is 12- 18 C and humid most of the time so I opened the windowsill to improve air circulation. I will upload the current condition as well but it is not that different.

I try to help and understand and do the best as I can but maybe the Dobkin still speaks German and my German is not that good

Thank you for your help

bil · #2 10-06-2015, 06:32 AM

If the leaves are turgid, I wouldn't worry too much about the curl. Don't let it get too cold, that lower temp you mention can be bad news.

Hydrogen peroxide is an indiscriminate oxidiser. I would never use that without good reason.

Keep an eye on the roots. Are they firm and good looking?

Ray · #3 10-06-2015, 07:19 AM

"Irene" is a fairly slow grower, and just about every one I've seen has some degree of waviness or curling to it's leaves.

That looks just fine to me.

Charlaux · #4 10-06-2015, 10:22 AM

I am uploading through Iphone which is why I am posting in different posts.

Charlaux · #5 10-06-2015, 10:26 AM

bil · #6 10-06-2015, 10:55 AM

Looks like it is in bark, as a Barkista, and not one of the filthy Mossites, I approve..

Some make moss work, but I always prefer a wide open medium that allows free drainage and easy airflow. It does mean that you have to water more ogften bbut to me, overwatering and root rot are the highest risk, so I like to avoid that.

Charlaux · #7 10-06-2015, 11:53 AM

The yellow and black spots in the roots worry me but at the same time the orchid looks better (in my opinion there is a positive change at least) . What should I do to ensure proper root growth ?

Thank you

bil · #8 10-06-2015, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlaux

The yellow and black spots in the roots worry me but at the same time the orchid looks better (in my opinion there is a positive change at least) . What should I do to ensure proper root growth ?

Thank you

Mostly, leave it alone. Give it an ultra weak low K fertiliser like Ray sells, -- I'm using it at double strength on my phals (55pppm or thereabouts) because I am only watering twice a week. I use 25 ppm when I'm watering more often.

Keep a north eye on the roots, and when you repot, I would put it in a bigger diameter pot. If you are using good bark chunks in there, then you simply can't overwater even in a big pot.

Charlaux · #9 10-06-2015, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

"Irene" is a fairly slow grower, and just about every one I've seen has some degree of waviness or curling to it's leaves.

That looks just fine to me.

Hi Ray,
Thank you for the answer and I am glad that you find the plant fine.

I assume that you are the same person from the Bigleaf orchids which product would you recommend me of the Orchidsupplies site ?

Thank you

Orchid Whisperer · #10 10-06-2015, 04:37 PM

I agree with the weak fertilizer recommendation, but I have a difference of opinion regarding K. I would provide a weak balanced fertilizer.