Black/Yellow Leaf Tip on Cattleya

[james mickelso]

Two years ago the fall here in SoCal was abnormally dry. 10% for a few days at a time. But it seemed to go on and on. None of my orchids needed extra humidity and they all flowered just fine. The leaves have stoma and close them up when it gets drier than they are genetically used to. It is correct that many cattleyas come from the tropics but wrong to assume that they always have lots of humidity. There are droughts just like most anywhere else. There are portions of the year that are very dry. It is the roots that we should keep moist enough to keep them nice and vital. Not wet. Not even "moist." Just damp enough to keep them from desiccating. When they are not actively growing their moisture needs are low. I know how dry it gets in many places in the country. In Landers, Ca. where Gublers Orchids has their huge greenhouses it not only gets Hooooottttt, but very dry. And in winter it gets cold. they've been growing orchids there for decades. Theirs do just fine. I'm not saying not to give your orchids the best environment you can, but just understand that it is ok to let them get dry. Cool. Hot. Humid. They are more adaptable than we give them credit for. I'm just sayin.