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Lepanthopsis astrophora

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by TheKellylove, May 26, 2015.

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  1. May 26, 2015 #1
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    I recently got a new light for my terrarium. It is three T5 bulbs. I put it about an inch above my terrarium ImageUploadedByTapatalk1432669629.109007.jpg . It does put out quite a bit of heat, but the tank is about 77F at its highest. I discovered yesterday that my lepanthopsis astrophora had developed some unsightly spots. I think it's because of the light, and not the heat but I need your help to confirm. Is my new light too much for it? I have a several lepanthes' in the same tank which are also very shade loving and they have no spots.
     
  2. May 30, 2015 #2
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Kelly, can you tell if the spotted leaves are some of the older ones? What I am seeing in the photo just looks like part of the aging process for leaves (and me :eek:). If I could keep all of my Pleurothallids looking so nice I would be very happy.
     
  3. Jun 1, 2015 #3
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    They are not specifically older leaves. Just the ones facing the light. I suppose I have decided the light is at fault anyways. Will they go away if I reduce the light again?
     
  4. Jul 24, 2015 #4
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    Do you think it's a magnesium deficiency?
     
  5. Jul 24, 2015 #5
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    You could try some Epsom salts on it and see if that makes a difference. What kind of fertilizer are you using?
     
  6. Jul 25, 2015 #6
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    Klite with distiller water
     
  7. Jul 25, 2015 #7
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Are you fertilizing your plants?
     
  8. Jul 25, 2015 #8
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    Yes. At least once a week
     
  9. Jul 25, 2015 #9
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    What with and how much?
     
  10. Jul 25, 2015 #10
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    I fertilize about once sometimes twice a week with 1/4tsp per gallon of distilled water with Klite
     
  11. Jul 25, 2015 #11
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    If you water every day, that might not be quite enough. If you only water once or twice a week then it should be fine. If you are using distilled or RO water, there is NOTHING in it for the plants so fertilizing becomes much more important. It is very hard to tell from the photograph if there is anything wrong with the plant. Has the problem continued to get worse?
     
  12. Jul 25, 2015 #12
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    It's been about the same. I'll post another picture in a bit.
     
  13. Jul 25, 2015 #13
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1437854452.804118.jpg ImageUploadedByTapatalk1437854462.491565.jpg
    I attached pictures of both my lepanthopsis, as well as a platystele that are both showing reddening. The platystele is looking like it also has some chlorosis. I will add a little fertilizer to every watering I think.
    I was using Klite too lightly I think, coupled with only using it once a week, the plants are suffering.
     
  14. Jul 25, 2015 #14
    AnonYMouse

    AnonYMouse aka Ree, the not-so-stealthy lurker

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    Just a thought. If you are going to fertilize with every watering, keep the N% low. I know Ray has spoken of this somewhere and his site has a calculator to do the portioning.

    I don't grow either species nor do I grow in a terrarium, so can't help there.
     
  15. Jul 25, 2015 #15
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    Why?
     
  16. Jul 25, 2015 #16
    AnonYMouse

    AnonYMouse aka Ree, the not-so-stealthy lurker

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    My understanding is by lowering N to 25-50 ppm, you can safely and effectively feed the plants at every watering. (I don't remember the numbers and I'm doing a poor job explaining). It is "weakly weekly" with a different schedule.
     
  17. Jul 25, 2015 #17
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I use 1/4 strength MSU at every watering. Your new growths look good and even the ones you are concerned about don't look that bad. You could try the Epsom salts (I used to use it once a month before I started with MSU). My notes show that I used to use about 1.5 tsp per gallon though I think stronger wouldn't be a problem. Magnesium deficiency usually has chlorotic leaves with dark green veining. I do see one leaf that shows that (far left), so you might look at the leaves.
     
  18. Jul 26, 2015 #18
    TheKellylove

    TheKellylove Active Member

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    I'm pretty sure there's some nutrient deficiencies with my other plants too. Maybe I will try using a stronger concentration of K-lite. Has anyone tried that?
     
  19. Jul 26, 2015 #19
    sam1147

    sam1147 sam1147

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    I think you should contact Ray, or go to Slipper Orchids forum to read about K lite.
    I use it for more then 2 years at about 50ppm N but with every watering !!!
    Not once a week .5-6 times summer, 3 x on winter and LOVE it.
     
  20. Jul 26, 2015 #20
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Kelly, if you have a deficiency, using more of the same might not solve the problem. Orchids in nature get a constant feed. You can use more than one fertilizer and alternate every few waterings. See if that makes a difference.

    Years ago I started using Jerry's Grow that everyone was touting. It started out great with a flush of growth and slowly, over time, I started having poor growth. For the whole time I used it, I had infestations of false spider mites which I had never experienced before. As soon as I stopped it using the false spider mites disappeared. If you are depending on only one source for your plant nutrients, you may run into problems.

    I know fantastic growers who only use MSU and for a much longer time than I have. I have used the RO formula of MSU since early in 2008 and am very pleased with it. Just out of an abundance of caution, I still supplement occasionally with seaweed based extract, fish based and other types of fertilizers. You have to experiment and find out what works for you.
     
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