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Aerangis punctata near death!

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by TheKellylove, Mar 23, 2015.

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  1. Mar 23, 2015 #1
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    Oh help me! I have an aerangis punctata I got from Andys in November and it's officially lost all its leaves. It only arrived with two to begin with. I had it in a high-humidity terrarium, 90%+, shaded, watered once a week with distilled water plus daily tank fogging. I fertilized roughly every other week. But it still lost leaves! The roots also haven't grown much since I got it. They're green and healthy for the most part, though they don't have green tips.
    Where did I go wrong?
     
  2. Mar 23, 2015 #2
    leo

    leo African orchids only :-)

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    Perhaps it was too wet? If it doesn't seem to grow and the roots were all white without the green tips, it was probably resting.
     
  3. Mar 23, 2015 #3
    orcoholic

    orcoholic Member

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    Constant 90%+ humidity probably caused a bacterial rot (crown rot) which caused the leaves to fall.
     
  4. Mar 23, 2015 #4
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    So how to I repair it? I thought it liked 90% humidity
     
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  5. Mar 24, 2015 #5
    DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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    Not necessarily. I grow mine pretty dry, probably less humidity. It also is in a place with a GREAT amount of air circulation. I saw some of the plants Andy was selling of punctata at the San Francisco show and they were tiny seedlings. If it lost its leaves, I hope for the best, but I don't think its coming back.
     
  6. Apr 8, 2015 #6
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    It lives! I took it out of the terrarium and put it directly under my grow light. It sprouted a leaf as of today! Hoorah
     
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  7. Apr 9, 2015 #7
    leo

    leo African orchids only :-)

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    Congratulations! Orchids are tough plants, hard to kill :)
     
  8. Jun 8, 2015 #8
    Dave The Scientist

    Dave The Scientist Active Member

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    As for humidity, the higher humidity you have, the more air movement you need to prevent fungal problem. I remember reading of a grower who kept his greenhouse close to 100%RH but who had wind speeds of 20mph in this greenhouse, which is high enough to fly a kite. Conversely, at lower humidity, high air movement will desiccate your plants. Its all about finding a balance that works for you.
     
  9. Nov 29, 2016 #9
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Kelly, did it live?
     
  10. Dec 2, 2016 #10
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    Sorry, I just saw your post!
    It did! It lived. It currently has two leaves and a whopping three roots. But I'll take it.

    I'm always worried about overwatering it, but it hasn't lost any more leaves. How much do you water yours in the winter?
     
  11. Dec 2, 2016 #11
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Congratulations on resurrecting your plant.

    I have only had mine about a month and was asking for advice on this post. My plan is to water it when dry unless I hear otherwise. In winter my other exposed-root-mounts get watered every 2 to 3 days.
     
  12. Oct 20, 2017 #12
    Don Cooper

    Don Cooper Beautiful hybrids Supporting Member

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    Hi Kelly W. . . I am a newbie so maybe discounted as a know-nothing. Ok. That's life on forums. Please read my new member introduction. I have two punctata and an Aerangis curnowiana, but I have not followed the botany debate closely re: similarity/synonyms. All are flourishing on cork mounts on the dry side. I mist daily as some have moss I want to maintain as it is not only for aesthetics but as a sign of vigor. One of the punctata has bloomed (large) and was starting to put out a new (2nd) flower but it was too immature to sustain it. Nevertheless, all are healthy plants. I am a Pleuro and Phal guy by experience but getting close to understanding Angraecoids better —far from expertise. My suggestion falls in line with previous comments: too much water is a killer. Watch the root tips. Green and growing is good. Modify and adapt as necessary. /drc