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wrinkled new leaves

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Matyas, May 3, 2014.

  1. Matyas

    Matyas New Member

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    I have some orchids (not phalaenopsis) which always have new leaves, but the leaves grow, and stay wrinkled. I water them 1-2 times a week, try to give them enough water. Can somebody tell me why this happens, and how to handle it, so the leaves grow properly and not wrinkle?
     

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  2. KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    This is usually considered to be a symptom of dehydration but it doesn't look dehydrated. Have you checked the roots. Depending on what media it is growing in (bark, pumice, moss), condition of the media, and where it is growing (house, outside, greenhouse) watering it 2 times per week may be too much and could have rotted the roots. More info would be helpful.

    Welcome to Orchids Forum.
     
  3. Carkin

    Carkin Active Member

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    Looks like an oncidium hybrid? They are notorious for accordion pleated leaves when the humidity is low. If you are a windowsill grower it's hard to raise the humidity enough to completely avoid wrinkled leaves but a humidifier helps a little.
     
  4. burnabyorchid

    burnabyorchid New Member

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    Was thinking it could be heat stress. Does that window get hot sun during the day?
     
  5. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I would bet that you have very little in the way of roots so that it can't take up enough water to help the leaves expand. See if the plant wobbles in the pot. If it isn't firmly rooted in there you may need to repot it into fresh media.
     
  6. Matyas

    Matyas New Member

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    Thanks. I don't think it is dehydrated, unless the problem is that the media does not hold the water. It is planted in bark and the water just goes through. I water it, and then couple hours later remove the water from under the pot. The history of this plant (on the picture) is that a year ago it was very yellow. And since I water it more often, it became nice green. But giving more water did not handle the symptom of new leaves becoming wrinkled. Since few months the plant is in a glass veranda with other orchids where humidity is relatively higher than in the house. It gets lots of light, and a bit of sunshine every day, but not much.
     
  7. Matyas

    Matyas New Member

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    You might be right. For long time the plant was wobbly. Since some months it is more stable. It is planted in pure bark. Maybe it should be planted in a different media. The water just goes through very fast when I water it. Does it need a different media that holds the water more?
     
  8. Matyas

    Matyas New Member

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    Thanks. At least I know now that it needs a lot of humidity. :)
     
  9. Matyas

    Matyas New Member

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    Thanks. This could be the problem. It is potted in bark that does not the water at all. What media could you advise?
     
  10. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I use fine bark for this type of plant. You can use medium bark if humidity or frequent watering. These should begin to approach dryness between waterings, but not get completely dry. When you water an orchid you want to water it thoroughly and then let it drain. Standing in water for a little while isn't bad, but not for hours. When I grew in the house, I would submerge the pot in a pail of water and let it soak for a few minutes so the bark gets wetted out. Once dry it can me very difficult to re-wet, hence the soak. Except for the accordion pleating, the plant looks healthy.
     
  11. Matyas

    Matyas New Member

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    Thank you very much for the advices. I will repot it in finer bark and see how it grows. :)