Wrinkeld Mtssa pseudo bulbs

[FUO213]

Hi guys, I have an Mtssa Dark Star that is developing some wrinkled leaves. Its put off quite a few new growths, probably 7 or 8. Is this normal, is there something I need to be doing different? Here are some pics

[katrina]

When the pbulbs wrinkle like that and when the leaves become pleated it's an indication of not enough water. This could be caused by not watering enough OR it could be the roots are bad and they aren't absorbing water sufficiently to hydrate the plant.

Over-watering and under-watering can many times look the same.

Have you check the roots on your plant?

[LauraGR]

Are the leaves wrinkled or just the pseudobulbs? If it's just the pseudobulbs, sometimes they do that, naybe especially when they're growing. If it's the leaves, if they're coming out sort of accordion style, then they are not getting enough water. I have been having that problem in my sunroom with my hanging plants because the heaters are drying out the air and all of my watering and humidifying are clearly not enough to keep some of the new leaves coming out wrinkled.

[mehitabel]

Originally Posted by katrina

When the pbulbs wrinkle like that and when the leaves become pleated it's an indication of not enough water. This could be caused by not watering enough OR it could be the roots are bad and they aren't absorbing water sufficiently to hydrate the plant.

Over-watering and under-watering can many times look the same.

Have you check the roots on your plant?

I agree completely with this. Check the roots.

[lmartiny]

Your first picts look a bit shriveled but the last one looks a lot better. Follow the above advice. I personally struggle with these types.

[FUO213]

cool... i'll check the roots and then get back to you guys with some pics of roots.

[sunshine]

I agree with what's been said. Not enough water. I have found that these type of chids with the big fat pbulbs are water hogs. When was the last time it was repotted I give all my chids a good tub, (kitchen sink) soak once a week. The ones with pbulbs I have accidently left soaking for an hour
and you could tell the difference..

Another thing I am wondering about is where there is all that new growth that the new growths are using the energy from the old pbulbs to grow.

I noticed you live in Colorado. You may also want to try increasing the humidity and may have to water more than once a week. I have noticed that since the furnace is on constantly the air is a lot dryer and warmer. I soak my plants good before I leave the house and when I get home their bone dry. Most of the time I can get by the house once during the week. But not this trip. I ended up in Texas which has kept me out for 2 weeks. Called my neighbor and she watered my plants for me.

[janet_a]

don't know how close a wilsonara is to a mtssa, but i've got a wils in s/h, and when the pbulbs are new, they're big and fat and shiny, but as soon as the flower spike starts the bulbs start to wrinkle. leaves are not pleated (astoundingly). so some bulb wrinkling may be normal.

[LouisW]

I agree that some bulb wrinkling may be normal but the accordioned leaves are a sure sign that the plant is being either under watered or watered too eradically. If the roots aren't rotted then the remedy is simply to consistently water the plant more. If the roots are rotted out then now is a perfect time to go in clean it up and wait for the new growths to replace the root system.

[FUO213]

So here are some pics after I took the plant out of the pot... Wow it was really overgrown! I found these little white balls in the charcoal... are they just potting mix or something bad (Last pic). You can kind of see how the new growth is dominating the majority of roots, they are more tightly bundled together. What is the verdict then?

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by FUO213

So here are some pics after I took the plant out of the pot... Wow it was really overgrown! I found these little white balls in the charcoal... are they just potting mix or something bad (Last pic). You can kind of see how the new growth is dominating the majority of roots, they are more tightly bundled together. What is the verdict then?

OMG, look at the root system on that baby. No wonder it's over grown.

Very healthy Roots look very firm and healthy. I would repot one size and put in fresh medium. There is no medium left so there is nothing left to retain moisture.There's a lot of competiton for what water it is being given. I would soak it either in just some water or you could try the "Recipe" and see if that rehydrates the pbulbs. As for the little white balls

[Schlyne]

I found that I just could not keep up with the watering on these babies and ended up moving mine over to S/H, which seems to be working out better. A lot of mine were overgrown as well, so I think the S/H work out better for me

[FUO213]

ok cool... i'll have to go to the nursery 2moro to get a bigger pot! also, right now there is just charcoal, should i add in some orchid mix (basically bark and other organic junk) and then just put the charcoal in the bottom since this seems to have a problem with retention of moisture? Also, i'm sure this is a noob question but whats S/H

[syndywindy]

Are the little balls greyish white in color? If so they are probably Nutricote which is time released fertilizer. A lot of growers add this to their orchid mix. I use it and it releases a small bit of fert each time you water. You can get it as a balanced fertilizer such as 13-13-13 140 days which means it will release 80% of its nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium over a 140 day period. The balanced formula is for growth. There is also other formulas for blooming such as 20-7-10 180 days. Again, 80% of each is relaeased over 180 days. I find this easier than always having to mix liquid or granular ferts. I will also use MSU fertilizer as an added supplemental feeding.

[Irene]

S/H

S/H method explained

[tangers40]

nice lookin roots on there! and i second the semi-hydroponic (s/h) suggestion. it's so unbelievably dry around here that it's very hard for us to keep moisture-loving plants like that happy. but i grow mostly in s/h (and some sphag for a few select small plants) in an effort to keep the water level up, and it seems to be going great. i also mist my plants every other day or so, and some might recommend humidity trays. basically, try everything and sooner or later you'll find something that works.

btw, where in CO are you from? always nice to see fellow coloradoans on here!

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by FUO213

ok cool... i'll have to go to the nursery 2moro to get a bigger pot! also, right now there is just charcoal, should i add in some orchid mix (basically bark and other organic junk) and then just put the charcoal in the bottom since this seems to have a problem with retention of moisture? Also, i'm sure this is a noob question but whats S/H

Donot use that old charcoal. Get some fresh medium. I use Lowes Special Gro
Orchid mix. It has bark, perlite (sponge rock) and charcoal. If your not comfortable with trying s/h you could chop up some spag to add with the bark to help retain moisture. If your chid was in a 2 inch pot go up the next size which is 4 inch. You want the plant to fit comfortably and with enough room for 1-2 yrs worth of growth.