Lady Slipper with Black Leaf Tips

[rmoen]

I bought a nice Lady Slipper in bloom last March. Got it home and the flower dropped, of course, but the plant still looked very healthy. By late summer of 2006, the lower leaf tips started to turn black. I cut them off, but they still kept turning black. I have repotted into a semi-hydro mix, thinking more humidity would help, but to no avail. I went to an orchid show and showed my picture to a grower who suggested using purified water to water the plant. I've done that, but it is too soon to tell if that will make a difference. I don't see any new buds forming, but the plant has grown new leaves. Any ideas about the black tips? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Rick

[mayres]

This is an interesting one to me too. I have a small group of 7-8 paphs and I treat them all the same. Only one of them has done what you are showing - why just this one? It would appear to be somewhat genetic? Evidently some plants are more sensitive to issues than others. I've been directed as you have already been - water quality or excess fertilizer/mineral buildup. I'd flush it really good with good quality water every few months and be careful how much fertilizer you give it. You might even consider only foliar feeding it - just a thought. The plant will need some of the minerals from typical water to grow, so if you are using distilled water you might consider instead using at least part spring water or some other water that will have them. mike

[jerrymeola]

It may be normal leaf loss from age. I would guess that these leaves were the ones on which the flower was produced. A plant only produces one flower with each new season's flowers coming on new growth. The old growth often dies off.

[kmarch]

Hello everyone:

I grow mostly Paphs, currently have about 250. The respondents above make several comments that are correct and useful regarding possible causes. Below I have summarized a few things and added a couple of possibilities along with what i'd do about them:

1) Fertilizer burn - Too much fertilizer will cause leaft tip burn. It is correct that different plants will respond differently to the exact same fertilizing regimine. I recommend weak or no fertilizer. Since Paph potting mix usually contains a lot of organic material (peat, leaves, fine bark, etc) I have found that often Paphs grow and bloom just fine with no fertilizing at all. Fertilizer burn is usually religated to leaf tips and does not prematurely kill off the whole leaf. If you feel you must fertilize, use a weak fertilizer (some folks use african violet fertilizer [7-7-7]) and only fertilize every other watering or so.

2) Normal die-off - It looks like only the oldest leaves are suffering. Most Paphs usually only have about 6+ leaves at a time, per growth, and it is normal for old leaves to die off. Wait until the leaf is completely dead and dried up and then give it a gentle pull or cut it off.

3) Root problems - When was your plant last repotted? I find that Paphs love nice, fresh potting mix and I repot every Paph every year. I use a mix that keeps the roots evenly and gently moist, never waterlogged, never dry. I notice in the pic that it looks like the mix at the bottom of the pot is quite wet while the top is quite dry. It looks like you might be using clay pellets, which i am not a fan of for Paphs. I'd un-pot and check out the roots and then repot (being careful not to over-pot) in a nice, fresh mix. Also it looks like there is alot of water below the holes in the pot and much less above. I suslect the extra water is not draining out. Make holes in the bottom of the pot so all extra water drains out. This prevents the roots from laying in stagnant water.

4) Heat - Sometimes I loose some leaves in this manner when the summer is at its hottest. Here in Australia, that can mean 40+C (110F). The leaves darken and drop. This usually only happens to one leaf on a growth. Remedy: humidity and lots of nice fresh air movement.

5) Water quality - Sometimes water quality can be an issue. I use rainwater when I can get it. Some city tap waters are great. Distilled water contains no nutrients but on occasion I have used bottled spring water form the store (not carbonated).

I hope this is useful. Happy Growing!

-Kevin

[mayres]

Good post Kevin - very good information! Thanks.

[rmoen]

Thank you kmarch, and to all who responded to my question. Your advice helps tp put me at ease that the plant will most likely be OK. If there are major changes in the future, I'll post pictures and ask again. Thanks, again! Rick

[Daniel S. Barrett]

I also have about 265 Paphs & a few Phrags also.
Bravo Kev. Excellent list! I couldn't have done better myself! I use Sphagnum moss with about 3/4 of my
Paphs. because humidity is low where i'm growing, & they can dry out too quickly. I keep them between damp to slightly moist. Mine stopped looking like rmoens plant in the picture.
rmoen,
You might want to consider switching your plants to Sphagnum moss some of mine looked exactly like yours does in the picture & perked up after planting them in moss just be careful not to keep the moss soggy. The container in the picture should be replaced with a proper orchid pot, not a deli container with melted holes! LOL!!
Give your plant a chance! Do it right!!