|
| This is an orchid(rhynchostylis coelestis) being grown in a greenhouse in PA. I have had it two years and within the last month the leaves have started to turn yellow and fall off. Daytime temperature is around 70-73, night is around 60-65. Humidity is 40%. Fetilized about once a month. Watered twice a week. I am looking for advice on how to stop the leaf drop. |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Looks pretty healthy! It is normal for the plant to gradually lose the lower leaves as it ages. Does it bloom? |
|
- Posted by tolumniamatt 6a (My Page) on Fri, Feb 8, 13 at 15:08
| 1. I seriously doubt that it is a Rhynchostylis. It looks to be a typical Vanda. 2. Boost the humidity to 70% if you can or increase waterings to every other day. 3. If you can't increase the humidity then it should be potted. Use a large pot about 10" wide by at least 10" tall with excellent drainage. Use a mix of two parts styrofoam peanuts and one part large chunks of orchid bark. Once potted, stake the plant to the top so it doesn't fall over. You can't expect a vanda to grow very well with bare roots and 40% humidity. |
|
| Tolumnia Matt might be on to something with the Id. I only have baby plants of the species. Larger intergeneric plants with Rhynchostylis coelestis as one parent have a more dwarf habit. I have them because they are more tolerant of cooler conditions than standard Vandas. What does the label say in full? I standing by my diagnosis of not much wrong and the leaf loss at the base is normal.
|
|
- Posted by GardenHelp none (My Page) on Mon, Feb 11, 13 at 15:48
| Thank you everyone. I definitely think something is wrong. I have around seventy orchids and I know occassional leaf drop is normal, but it should not be dropping a leaf everyday for 2-3 weeks now. I do not think I can bump the humidity, but I will water it everyday and see if that helps. As for the ID: I'm not sure. I wrote what the tag says. I thought it was a vanda myself when I bought it but the seller said it is similiar, but it is not a vanda. I will try the watering and hope it lives. I can repot it if all else fails. Thanks. |
|
| I don't mean to be a jerk here, but you MUST water that thing every single day. I grow in N.Y. and have 50 or more vandas and as convenient as it is, I get up early every morning and mist the heck out of them. In the summer they may also be hit a second time in the early evening. It's a must with vandas. That said they may lose a leave every now and then. |
|
| Hmm..all good points. Vandas like high humidity and a lot of light. Cold temperatures can cause leaf drop (especially cold and dank). Otherwise, it looks pretty good. I have some growing right under the misters (RO water) where they get misted every other day. They are growing on a log (blame Andy for that) and they are doing just fine. Now....if it is part Rhychostylis coelestis (I agree that it is too spindly and the leaves too widely spaced to likely be pure coelestis), coeslestis HATES and I mean HATES being cold and it will drop all its leaves and rot if you take down below around 68 or 69. So your nighttime temps may be a little too low for it. Most Vandas are a little more tolerant. |
Here is a link that might be useful: The Wayward Hawaiian
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Orchids Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.