New growth purple then dies

[markbudde]

Hi all. I have a Neofinetia falcata in my terrarium, and it isn't doing very well. The problem is that the new growth starts out purple and then turns brown and dries up. Here's a pic of it.

It hasn't put out new roots in ages. Here's the conditions...
Mounted in a terrarium, near 100% humidity all the time. Day highs of 82.5, night lows of 72. Misted with RO about once a day. Fertilized rarely. Most of the roots are exposed, not wrapped in moss.
So why does the new growth start out purple?
1) humidity to high?
2) not enough fertilizer?
3) too hot?
Has anyone else had this problem?
-mark

[justatypn]

Humidity should be around 85% with strong air movement. Optimum temperatures are 60 to 70 F at night, and a maximum of 95 F during the day. Fertilize with a balanced (such as 20-20-20) fertilizer applied full strength once a week during warm weather or use a one-quarter-strength solution at every watering. Water copiously when plants are growing but the roots should dry quickly before it's next watering, not to forget to water sparingly in the winter time.

I am not really comfortable with the black spots on the shaft of the vanda looks like some possible rot going on.

[markbudde]

Thanks for the reply.
I should have qualified my original post...
I am aware that this guy isn't in the best conditions, but I am hoping to keep him in the terrarium. I have some other orchids which are doing well in there. The terrarium houses some dart frogs, which makes me uncomfortable about fertilizing to heavily (and I hope the occasional frog poo gives it some of the nutrients it needs). There is some air flow in there, I have an air recirculation system set up. I'm just really confused why it would put out new growths which start out purple and seem doomed from the start?
Well, I guess I'll just watch as it slowly perishes, I have a little division of it growing out of the terrarium which seems to be doing better.
Thanks again,
Mark

[dounoharm]

mark, if you think its going to bite the bullet, why not take it out and give it some tlc outside the terrarium? it might just need a little drying out, air circulation, and fert...you might save it and try it again later in the terrarium.

[Becca]

Hmmm.....the purple growths are interesting. I am not an expert, but perhaps it is the high humidity as mentioned by others. I have also found that my neo's are happier with the temps no higher then 79 degrees and they like lots of air movement. I hope some one can help out with the new growths being purple. Maybe it is a lighting issue? How much light is it getting?

Cheryl, it is normal coloring you are seeing on the central stem of the plant if you are looking at what I think you are, the darkish purple almost black looking coloring, some neo's have that coloring and others don't.

[camille1585]

I think the same thing. If it's not doing well in the terrarium, take it out. If you see that it's doing even worse outside the terrarium, you can always put it back in. Mine are all very happy on a windowsill, temperture about 20-22°C right now, 60% humidity.

Here is the care sheet on Neofinetia from New World Orchids, it might help you out a bit!
Neo culture

[Mirranova]

Hi, Neos develop inking along that area, the higher the light the darker it gets. Maybe too high light. They also like a bit of a drier period in the winter.

[gmdiaz]

The light is too high. . .that's why the leaves turn purple. It's very stressful for the plant to have high light and over time, it will sure do it in.

I'd take it out. . .you'll see the purple fade after a few weeks! The leaves should be a nice medium green for the most part. A few of my Neos. have had to be moved too, I was finding lots of purple speckles on the leaves.

Good luck!

[orchideric]

Hey Mark,

Your plant is in trouble but don't panic. There is the mother growth in the center but the tiny leaves at the tip don't look so good. Then you have the two sets of tiny brown bracts where 2 growths used to be. Then you have what looks like a healthy growth going off to the right - that is there and healthy because it is replacing the mother (which will probably not grow again but neither should it shed its leaves).

Then finally you have the mystery purple object which is not a growth - that is a new root - that is what we must save and help along.

My advice is to find a tall, narrow pot that will just hold the longer roots without breaking them. And I emphasize j u s t hold the roots. Picture in your mind taking it off the mount and gently pushing the roots a little bit together - that is the inside dimensions of your new growing container. If you can't find a pot then be inventive and find something plastic that you can melt some drainage holes into. Try the spices in the kitchen and any medicine bottles that might be available. The important thing is that older roots will find their way, that new purple root is what will really bring the plant back to health. Sick plants should always be potted down to the size of their root mass and it should always be a tight fit.

Pot it in your moss to just the base where that purple root is emerging - don't worry if you bury the bases of the nearby leaves - that's a little deeper than you have now.

Once it bounces back - and you'll know it - you can eventually repot in any manner.

Hope that helps, Eric

[shakkai]

I have to agree with everyone else - if you don't want this one to die, take it out of there. Too high temps, too humid, and probably not strong enough air circulation will mean certain death. And Gwen is probably right about the light being too high, as well. What you have is one very stressed plant that it trying like h*** to live. Help it along some by reducing as many stressors as you can (heat, light, etc.) and the plant will reward you. As Eric says, you will know it when it starts liking its conditions, it will be obvious.

Good luck!