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Browning leaves on my Maxillaria Schunkeana

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by mesmora, Jul 27, 2013.

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  1. Jul 27, 2013 #1
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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    I`m pretty new to orchid keeping and the leaves on my schunkeana are turning brown.
    I`m misting it and not overwatering and also not keeping it in too much sunlight.
    I wonder if anyone has any suggestions.
    It is mounted on bark and has some new growth, maybe I`m just worried for nothing
    as I recently remounted it.
    Mesmora
     
  2. Jul 27, 2013 #2
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Mesmora, welcome to OI.
    I am not familiar with this species so I won't attempt to answer your question. However, a little more description would be very helpful and a photo is worth a 1000 words. Are the brown parts mushy or crispy? Do you grow it indoors or out or in a greenhouse? Are all of the leaves turning brown? When you remounted it how did the roots look?
    Hopefully someone can help you. We have a lot of good orchid growers here.
     
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  3. Jul 27, 2013 #3
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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    Thanks for that, the leaves are still firm and the browning is mainly at the tips to half
    way. Not all the leaves are turning brown and there is some new regrowth. I grow it in the kitchen and I will try and post a photo.
     
  4. Jul 27, 2013 #4
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    After established, I think M schunkeana likes to dry off after watering before it is watered again. If the plant is new to you and was fine before you remounted it, it may just be that it lost roots in the remounting process and isn't taking up enough moisture to supply the needs of the leaf. More watering is not necessarily the answer in this case. If they have been browning over time, water quality could be an issue. Do you have active roots?
     
  5. Jul 28, 2013 #5
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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    Hi Marni,
    I`ve uploaded a photo which might help. Yes there seem to be active roots and the water quality is soft so maybe I just shocked the poor plant when I remounted it.
    Any suggestions would be really welcome, thanks.
     

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  6. Jul 28, 2013 #6
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I would suggest you invest in a bit of good New Zealand sphagnum moss and not use the sheet moss that you have there. How often do you water it?
     
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  7. Jul 29, 2013 #7
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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    I`m watering it everyday but maybe I was a bit over cautious in case I over watered it.
    I will invest in some New Zealand Sphagnum Moss and thanks so much for your help.
    I think that the problem is that I have mainly grown Phalaenopsis orchids and they are
    susceptible to overwatering.
     
  8. Jul 29, 2013 #8
    ZWUM

    ZWUM Bulbophiliac Staff Member

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    Something that I've noticed is that the leaves tend to brown up when it's in too little sun light. I moved a plant while reorganizing and I experienced a similar problem. Once I placed it back into brighter light the browning stopped. Another issue might be your use of soft water. Most orchids hate salt, if its an option for you try distilled water or rain water.
     
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  9. Jul 30, 2013 #9
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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    That`s good advice and I get plenty of rainwater where I live so that won`t be a problem. I will let you all know how the plant does in a month or so.
    Thankyou again.
     
  10. Jul 30, 2013 #10
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Is the moss completely dry before you water again? I don't think these like to be wet all of the time.
     
  11. Jul 30, 2013 #11
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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    I think so but I have invested in some New Zealand Sphagnum moss and will make sure that I only water it when it is completely dried out.
     
  12. Aug 11, 2013 #12
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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  13. Aug 11, 2013 #13
    mesmora

    mesmora New Member

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    Well thanks for all the suggestions which I have followed and especially to you Zwum, as I moved the plant to another room with more light although not too bright and it seems to
    be doing well now.