At my wits end with these sedirea

[Bud]

I give them the same culture I give Neos (it is grouped together with Neos on the windowsill)....it is in a samurai method of moss wrap net pot and given bright shaded light(my Phals are given medium shade)....I let it dry before watering with high humidity and air circulation....constant 80F and now its becoming mid 50's at night so it is getting the daytime and nighttime change in temperatures....
I am puzzled as to why that particular plant of yours is not doing well whereas the others are happy=even the 'chabo' is surviving you said....
I suspect it has an infestation of some kind ....maybe fungal=bacteria will decimate it fast....a fungus that starts with roots then go up the leaves and kill the plant....that is my opinion because I haven't encountered your dilemma with any of my Sedirea japonica.

[AnonYMouse]

So, the consensus is shimas are problematic?

So far I have one dead Nagoran-shima and its replacement isn't thriving. I need to try a regular Nagoran.

[coffeecup]

I do think Shimas are more finicky than standard Sedireas for some reason. I grow all of mine along with the Neos and let them dry out too. I'm sorry you're having so many problems Ryan.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by coffeecup

I do think Shimas are more finicky than standard Sedireas for some reason. I grow all of mine along with the Neos and let them dry out too. I'm sorry you're having so many problems Ryan.

So we know why, right? Their very much variegated. Variegation limits vitality in that the plant hasn't the same energy producing surface area as a standard sed or minmaru. What kills me is that nearly everyone on here treats their sed the same way they with neos, which it's logical given they come from the same place intone world, japan. However, I have grown seds in sh, in moss mounds in typical Japanese fashion, and even in this Eco web and all of them do so well for me. In fact my first minmaru has grown so well that it looks like an over weight sed on roids. My second minmaru isn't far behind. My standard sed hated sh but grows like a weed in the moss mound. My Chabo was kept too wet but has grown many roots and many new leaves, though it has recently lost some but I believe it's the natural sequence of leaf replacement. So, if all these guys share the same environment, the same culture, event he same kinds of fertilizer and additives, why then are these shimas breaking my will!? It doesn't help that they're my favorite. Poor me....lol.

This is what I think I need to do:

1. Fresh batch of RO water is in order
2. Both plants will leave the moss behind and will be lightly wrapped in aqua cloth and the center will be ecoweb so that remaining roots have air and will not be in constant contact with water
3. Both will move out of the stronger neo rack and into a gentler light intensity
4. Fed with seaweed extract and just a drop of Solo fertilizer...literally just a drop
5. Allowed to dry out between watering
6. Flushed thoroughly with each next watering.
7. Paced on a seeding mat and likely given added protection to keep the warmth about them and the humidity up.
8. Room humidity will be kept up at 75-80%

If they don't make it, then I know I've tried.

Thoughts?

[Jayfar]

You may have hit on something with the variegation itself posing a handicap to the plant. I wonder too whether there might be some genetic weakness in just some Minmaru Shima, since they aren't all necessarily sibs.

It looks like you have a very reasonable plan for the best possibility to salvage your Minmaru Shima.

Just for the benefit of anyone else perusing this thread who is as scatter-brained as me when it comes to keeping the names and relative sizes of these straight, below is your post from last spring with comparison pics of 3 mini and micro Seds.

Originally Posted by Pilot

Want to post some pics for comparison. Lets see if tapatalk will let me!


Minmaru Shima, then chabo and on the right a standard Minmaru.

[Pilot]

Something else to consider is the source. Have all the ailing minmaru shima come from SE? I'm making no accusations or insinuation merely an observation. Neither am I implying causation but both mine and I believe Adrienne's have come from SE. Also said, my very healthy minmaru came from SE as well.

Here is the beginning of my efforts as outlined above:

A standard neo pot lined with Eco web with the center open. This is where the healthier shima will have its roots placed.



Next, after dinner, I will mount the plant on this and wrap aqua fabric around it in thin strips as if it were moss.

To be continued.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[Joyorchid]

I dont know that I have had mine long enough to make a difference, but I aquired my shima from NWO about a month ago and it seems very happy. My humidity has been around 40% and it sits in the moss it came in. I have considered putting it in s/h but am hesitant.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Joyorchid

I dont know that I have had mine long enough to make a difference, but I aquired my shima from NWO about a month ago and it seems very happy. My humidity has been around 40% and it sits in the moss it came in. I have considered putting it in s/h but am hesitant.

I wouldn't. They don't seem to like it. I'll keep you informed about how this set up goes. I have a gut feeling that even if my attempt isn't successful that this set up will be awesome especially for us in low humidity Colorado.

[Pilot]

My other badly ailing shima has lost all leaves. Time of death, 9pm mountain time.

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by Pilot

My other badly ailing shima has lost all leaves. Time of death, 9pm mountain time.