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Unknown problem w Schoenorchis scolopendria

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by flyingSquirrel, Oct 31, 2013.

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  1. Oct 31, 2013 #1
    flyingSquirrel

    flyingSquirrel Member

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    Hi, hoping somebody can let me know what the issue might be with my Schoenorchis scolopendria (that's fun to type...not!) shown in the attached photo. Note the growth toward the right side of the photo, where some of the leaves are "bleached" looking and have brown tips. What would typically cause that?

    The plant has been growing in the same terrarium under the same conditions for many months, and was growing quite well...the 3 side growths have developed within this tank and culture method, so overall it must be happy. I had the stick laying at a slight upward angle at the top of the terrarium, on top of a piece of wood with moss on it. The moss on the underlying wood got really tall, so I removed a bunch of it to avoid mold growth around the orchid (this was a month or two ago). Unfortunately, I can't say whether or not the problem in the photo occurred before or after I removed that moss, because I have been very preoccupied with other things in my life lately, and frankly, I simply can't remember (gasp!)

    Thanks for any help!
     

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  2. Oct 31, 2013 #2
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I can't say with any certainty but when I see leaves like that I automatically think "too wet". I grow this species and it likes to be surprisingly dry. Mine has practically no moss (like one tiny strand of sphagnum) on the twig mount and gets watered ever day or sometimes every other day. Maybe when yours was on top of the other piece of wood it was staying too wet. I would suggest good air movement. Mine gets very bright sun.
     
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  3. Oct 31, 2013 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I grow mine mounted on hard wood, with no moisture retentive material. They are hanging on a plastic basket with a cattleya in it and get watered on the same schedule as the cattleya. Usually every 4 or so days. They dry very within a few hours of being watered and are dry for several days. I agree with Kelly that it probably was staying too wet.
     
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  4. Oct 31, 2013 #4
    flyingSquirrel

    flyingSquirrel Member

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    Thank you both for your replies. Your theory does make sense; the plant was pretty moist on a daily basis around the time when the moss was thick around the bottom of the stick. Now that the moss has been cleared away for a while, there is better air circulation. Currently, I water it daily or every other day sometimes, and it completely dries each day. So things should probably be on track now. Thanks!
     
    Andreja Schulz likes this.