Masdevallia with black spots on leaves

[mseifertmd]

Please help me diagnose the problem I'm having with my orchid. My growing habitat is indoors. Defused bright sunlight. The room temp maintains 70 degrees +/- 2 degrees. The plant is on a humidity type growing tray. Watered about every 2 weeks. Trays are also emptied and cleaned when the plants are watered. Thank You

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This is not the cause of the spotting, but I'd like to mention it...

I think your plant is potted too deep into the media. This could end up being a potential problem in the future when it starts to throw out new shoots. The moss may smother them and you may end up with dead shoots even before they start becoming full fledged leaves.

I suggest pulling the plant up until you can see the short rhizomes connecting the leaves.

Now onto the real problem.

I suspect it's from heat. Most Masdevallias are cool to intermediate growing. And many don't tolerate temperatures above 85 F.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

BTW, they're also being grown too dry. They grow in moist cloud forests.

[RosieC]

I'm only just learning about Masdevallia myself, but I've been told that spots on the leaves (underside of the leaves only) is caused by too much heat.

My Masda has them, most of the spots on mine do not seem to be harming the plant, but I've been told that if they stay too warm long term it will affect their overall health as well.

[mseifertmd]

OK, let's try to be nice! Thank you for the learning curve adjustment. It was quick and harsh. I am asking questions because I care about orchids and believe they are the most beautiful blooms in the world. I would like for you to help me if you know the answers. May I inquire as to what you mean when you say "they're also being grown too dry". How else can I make the environment more wet? They are on humidity trays and watered every other week. Should I water once a week? BTW - as you suggested, I have already moved the plant up until you can see the short rhizomes connecting the leaves. Thanks.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Wetness could be a result of not being humid enough.

A 60%-70% relative humidity is enough. It can be higher, but it's not necessary.

2. They should be watered more often. Masdevallias shouldn't dry out much if at all. Only allow them to dry out to the point where the potting medium is damp.

I apologize if I'm not giving you concrete time frames, because I don't do that with my own Pleurothallids (Masdevallias are part of the Pleurothallis Alliance, therefore they are Pleurothallids, but Pleurothallids aren't necessarily Masdevallias).

I go by touch and sight. If I see the media is dry, I'll touch it to feel how dry or damp or wet it is. I'll use my best judgement and water accordingly.

Yes, I do apologize for the rant, I do have a short/bad temper. I DO try and manage it as best I can. Lapse of judgement, it will not happen again.

(Extend hand to shake in peace.)

[RosieC]

Watering is something which can depend on your enviroment, but every other week does not sound enough.

Again I'm just starting with Masdas, but I water twice a week, whenever the moss is starting to feel dry. (Actually with mine, it starts falling over if I water less often because the dry moss is so much lighter and not enough to balance the plant. )

I've heard several times here on OB that humidity trays don't do much. Some people use humidifiers, but as I live in a high humidity enviroment I'm afraid I don't have much experience with that.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I forgot, some people grow in full on moss. I did too. If you continue to use full on moss, be careful to not press it in too tightly as it compacts and does not allow air to pass through the roots.

I now use what I believe to be a more airy medium of SuperSphag and perlite (SuperSphag is the brand name of a sphagnum moss product where only the leaves of the moss are collected, dried, and compressed into cubes to be sold to the public - I only know of one place that sells this product here in the US - Camp One Orchids).

Air circulation is important to not only the leaves, but the roots as well. This goes for many orchids (I hesitate to say all because there might be that one oddball that throws this saying off).

[mseifertmd]

Thank you for your suggestions. I will keep a very close eye on how moist the media is as to not let it dry out.