Things that make me say "Hmmmm" - Orchid Board

Becca · #1 10-06-2008, 06:35 PM

Well I am not sure really what to say...lol....except for Hmmmmm. Maybe someone else has some suggestions or helpful advice for what is going on. These are photo's of my one and only phrag I bought back in May. A couple of month's later I started putting it in a saucer of water and the roots took off like crazy. Also the 3rd growth is growing pretty well too. But on the 2nd growth, which hasn't flowered, I have noticed the newest most leaf is browning, actually I think it is a new leaf inside of it that is browning....Hmmmm....any idea's as to what is going on? I posted a picture of the roots and all. I can't figure out if they are happy or trying to crawl out of the pot?

Also the roots in the pot look good, but the roots around the base of the 'chid look rotted, but not all look this way. Also, do I have it potted far enough down into the pot? Any recommendations or opinions are greatly needed! Oh...and the name is Phrag. Cardinale 'Westonbirt'

Thanks!

bonsai1504 · #2 10-06-2008, 06:39 PM

it looks like you have crown rot.

this is from ray's website:

CROWN ROT TREATMENT:
Crown rot is caused by letting water sit in the folds between leaves, resulting in a bacterial or fungal infection, or even both. Prevention is the key, so water or mist early in the day so the stuff has time to dry by nightfall. If you do get a case of crown rot:

Pour a liberal amount of hydrogen peroxide in the wound and let it stand for about 5 minutes to kill the infecting agents.
Tilt the plant to pour the liquid out of the crown.
Let the plant dry completely.
Sprinkle with dry cinnamon.
Treat the plant normally, being sure to keep the wound dry.

do this and hope for the best

Becca · #3 10-06-2008, 06:45 PM

I guess I didn't think of crown rot because I only poor water through the potting medium and I make sure it never splashes into the folds between the leaves. Plus it is super dry here, humidity is 20% if that. At first it looked like a new leaf, or I thought a spike, was going to emerge. It didn't look this way Friday...I was starting to get excited. This is what it looked like today. Could it be something other then crown rot? I am 99% sure haven't gotten any water in the crown or in the folds between the leaves and I never mist it! I make sure to water early during the day as suggested above!

camille1585 · #4 10-06-2008, 07:08 PM

I don't know what it going on, but crown rot is not the first thing that come to my mind, especially since you never get water down in the crown.

I wish I could help you more, but I don't have any paphs yet!

Becca · #5 10-06-2008, 07:50 PM

Sorry, I should have specified my watering habits previously! Could it still be crown rot even if I didn't get water in it? Perhaps some type of weird infection?I'll have to bring the peroxide to work with me tomorrow and perform the advice that Cullen posted, unless someone else has some other suggestions. I guess I could also always see if it grows out, but it looks like the brown has gone all the way down the tiny leaf.

bonsai1504 · #6 10-06-2008, 08:04 PM

try the peroxide just as a preventive measure. it wouldn't hurt!

Brooke · #7 10-06-2008, 08:36 PM

I was guessing also it is from getting water into the middle of the leaves and it isn't drying out. When I've had this happen the leaf has grown out of it when the water was eliminated.

I think your roots on the top of the mix are picking up the color of the CHC but are also drying out from being exposed to the air. I see lots of emerging roots plus the older roots and these need to have a layer of sphag placed on them to keep the hairs on the roots from drying out.

If this were my plant, I would repot it into a deeper pot so the roots grow down seeking the water. I see in the one pic one of the roots is starting back up again.

I also have a Cardinale - it is a great plant, I'm sure you will enjoy yours.

Brooke

unhappykat · #8 10-07-2008, 05:53 PM

It really looks like crown rot, could be caused by some type of fungus if it is odorous its bacterial if you smell nothing its fungal, try pulling the rotten leaf out from the growth and do the peroxide thing, i would repot into all clay pellets or lava rock if you ae doing the water dish thing, the media sitting in water can begin to rot and kill off roots as well as spread infections throughtou the plant if you are not careful.

Becca · #9 10-07-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unhappykat

It really looks like crown rot, could be caused by some type of fungus if it is odorous its bacterial if you smell nothing its fungal, try pulling the rotten leaf out from the growth and do the peroxide thing, i would repot into all clay pellets or lava rock if you ae doing the water dish thing, the media sitting in water can begin to rot and kill off roots as well as spread infections throughtou the plant if you are not careful.

What if I don't have new root growth for repotting into LECA? I have active roots, just not new roots...I am wondering if the current roots will adapt ok?

unhappykat · #10 10-07-2008, 11:03 PM

new roots will follow after a repotting, and as long as you are somewhat gentle you shouldnt damage too many of the older ones so oyur plant will adjust without any problems.