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Dracula sodiroi-whats wrong with it?

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by jai, May 30, 2016.

  1. May 30, 2016 #1
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    My Dracula has an issue I do not know the cause. Its leaves are yellowing except the new growths. When I got it the roots where in poor shape with only two good ones. I potted it up in sphagnum in a clear pot with holes and is kept close to the fan with the masdevallias(for good air movement) and is cared for the same. Please help!
    Screenshot_2016-05-30-22-11-02.png Screenshot_2016-05-30-22-11-14.png Screenshot_2016-05-30-22-11-09.png
     
  2. May 30, 2016 #2
    czpana

    czpana Member

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    I have a similar problem with my Dracula, I think mine was either overfertilized or watered with hard water by my own failings
     
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  3. May 30, 2016 #3
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    I use tap dechlorinater for fish in the water I use and fertilize once a week(very little).
     
  4. May 31, 2016 #4
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Jai, your plant looks to me as if it has virus. Can you post an image of the newest growth? How much fertilzer do you use? I never found chlorine to be a problem, but I have no experience with chloramine.
     
  5. May 31, 2016 #5
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    I hope its not a virus this is one of my favorite in my collection:( i use miracle grow orchid fertilizer as directed to a gallon once a week.
    Screenshot_2016-05-31-05-27-48.png
     
  6. May 31, 2016 #6
    carl

    carl Active Member

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    Draculas tend to be very sensitive to water quality. Try using rain/distilled/reverse osmosis/deionized water instead of tap water with any treatments.

    Also, if you are using "miracle grow as directed" once a week, that's waaaay to much.
     
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  7. May 31, 2016 #7
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Carl is right on both counts. Water quality is critical to cloud forest plants such as draculas. Try 1/4 tsp per gallon.

    What I wanted to see is a new leaf that is partly open or recently matured.
     
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  8. May 31, 2016 #8
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Jai, you aren't alone on this issue. I can't keep most Draculas alive and have stopped trying. I can keep some Masdevalias alive but they rarely flower for me. Sometimes you have to adjust to grow genera that fit your conditions instead of getting something you like and trying to keep it alive. This is a lesson I learned the hard way, too. I could grow cloud forest, cool growing species if I went to enough effort and expense but for now I enjoy those that thrive in the conditions that I have available... and there are many.

    BTW, I have Dracula sodiroi and it is still alive but it hasn't flowered since the first year I had it and it isn't a happy plant.
     
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  9. May 31, 2016 #9
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    [QUOTEI "Marni, post: 116632, member: 147"]Carl is right on both counts. Water quality is critical to cloud forest plants such as draculas. Try 1/4 tsp per gallon.

    What I wanted to see is a new leaf that is partly open or recently matured.[/QUOTE]
    Sorry I will post the full plant. Thanks for the tip;)
     
  10. May 31, 2016 #10
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    The good thing was I did not pay too much for it(eBay).
     
  11. May 31, 2016 #11
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    I fertilize once a week with a spray after watering.
    Screenshot_2016-05-31-16-24-15.png
     
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  12. May 31, 2016 #12
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    The new leaf looks clean. That is where one would see Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus which frequently affects members of the Pleurothallid Alliance. The other leaves could be other than virus, but do look suspicious. I think you should try purified water with very dilute fertilizer in the water, say 1/8 tsp per gallon. I water with the fertilizer rather than foliar feeding.
     
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  13. May 31, 2016 #13
    jai

    jai Orchid addict

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    Thanks Marni. I will keep posted. Would bottle water work or distilled be better?
     
  14. Jun 1, 2016 #14
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Bottled water would be fine. The 5 gallon refillable jugs you can get a supermarkets are reverse osmosis water. You just have to be careful to regularly use a good quality fertilizer with micro nutrients since there is absolutely nothing in the water.
     
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