Platycerium reginae wilhelminne--looks bad, pale and some spots on leaves - Orchid Board

bdublyou · #1 02-20-2019, 05:47 PM

Hi there, I impulse purchased this staghorn even though it looks pretty bad. There is a one year garauntee on the plant so I figured it was worth trying to save it. The nursery had it outdoors under filtered light with their Tillandsias. We have had a few light frosts the past few weeks and night temps in the low 40's and upper 30's for a month or two. We have also had an unusually large amount of rain as well, (the mount feels only slightly moist right now though). My old bifurcatums and supurbums don't to mind it....but not sure this little plant likes it too much. Anyhow, I am going to attempt to attach a picture, but it seems a really pale sickly yellow with some unusual reddish pigment around the veins and one of the new fronds has two circular spots with a pale center and brownish edging. Not sure if this is infectious or culture. I've brought it inside to see if getting it out of the cold would help, but beyond that not sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated!

estación seca · #2 02-21-2019, 01:54 AM

I'm not familiar with this one, but none comes from climates with cold and wet winters. I would put it someplace a lot warmer.

bdublyou · #3 02-21-2019, 02:16 AM

Yes, that was my first thought. I am keeping it indoors to see if it bounces back and restricting water until it dries out. Unfortunately, I can't take back the handling of the nursery...but hopefully with some TLC it will get better. Appreciate the reply and glad my intuition may be on the right track. Like I said the big guys don't mind it but I always pamper the young ones.

Ray · #4 02-21-2019, 08:49 AM

I used to grow a variety of staghorns, and I never let them go below 55F.

kg5 · #5 02-21-2019, 06:08 PM

Hi bdublyou

Have only been growing Plartycerium for a short time seriously.

Your plant looks to have been too wet & cold.

Platycerium are all very different and even I in my climate have trouble with many varieties as most are tropical and I more sub tropical.

Have about 17 different platys. Only 2 are robust growers in colder parts of Australia and they are P. compata or Netherlands & P. bifurcatum. Both are elkhorns.

bdublyou · #6 02-21-2019, 06:21 PM

Thank you guys for all your responses, good to know I am on the right track. I already have it indoors and plan to wait until very dry before watering. Thanks again!

Ray · #7 02-22-2019, 08:59 AM

I don't think the medium has to be dry before watering, but the plant itself shouldn't have standing water on it for long.

kg5 · #8 02-22-2019, 04:35 PM

Ray makes a great point here.

Yes it is all about making sure your plant dries out as quick as possible in colder weather.

With some juvenile elkhorns that I am trying to grow as much as possible through this summer so they will over winter better. Am watering them as much as possible as it really gets them growing in warmer weather.

It is so warm here as they are facing the sun with dappled shade. They enjoy being wet overnight but they are desperate for water come late afternoon. Can not water them in daylight as they will burn.

When winter comes it could be as much as two weeks between watering. And watering happens 1st thing in the morning so they are not wet at night.