Vul. Melissa Brianne 'Shady Lady' anyone?

[new_keiki]

Hi all,

I bought a Vul. Melissa Brianne 'Shady Lady' last November, and it started a new growth after the flowers. However, it's painful to watch the new roots grow because *pardon me* it feels like constipation Not only the leaves are wrinkled, the new roots are as well. The leaves seem to grow, but the new roots become brown and stop growing once they are only a few mm longs. I know that wrinkled leaves usually means underwater so I tried to keep it moist the whole time, in bright but indirect sunlight (east window) and I fertilize weakly weekly but no improvement whatsoever. Does anybody have this plant, and/or if anyone can tell me more on the culture of this plant? Thanks very much - it's greatly appreciated

sw

[mayres]

I don't have this particular cross, but have also been plagued with wrinkled leaves - and yes, not keeping watered enough was my problem. I have changed from once weekly to twice weekly watering. The type of media can be a contributor in this too. Also the humidity. So, can you update your profile to show us what part of the world you live? I assume you are growing in your home? Is this true? Air conditioning? What kind of media is your plant in? Are you trying anything to increase the humidity? I will let others weigh in on this too, but I'm guessing that plants can show underwatering signs from poor quality roots much the same as phals show underwater signs from poor quality roots? Some things to think about.

[slippery_biscuit]

I did a quick read. According to my Ortho book Vuylstekeara (Vuyl.) is a intergeneric hybrid of Odontoglossum. Culture notes for these say they thrive in cool nights (45 degs) and daytime highs of 60 degs. Similar to cymbidiums. Most places in the US are too warm, they like bright light (shaded southern or east window). Increase local humidity and air circ. if the window temp gets too high. They don't want to dry out completely. They don't like repotting and they like a fine well draining mix.

Perhaps there is a clue in there somewhere, temperature might be it, but I'm sure others will follow with some good advice.

[new_keiki]

Thanks a bunch Mayres and Biscuit! I live in Kansas so I have to keep it indoor. It's in moss on pebble tray, facing an east window with long hours of indirect sunlight. I didn't know it's such a cool grower. But boy if it likes 45oF nights, I'll have to keep it in the fridge - just kidding. Maybe I'll do what I read somewhere, put it on a bed of ice to simulate cold nights. I welcome the fact that it doesn't like to be repotted very often because it's too scary to work with delicate thin roots. Thanks and I'll see if it likes it this way

sw

[janet_a]

i got one for my birthday a few years ago; despite the wrinkled leaves, it grew and bloomed several times--and then just shrivelled. it's hanging on still, but looks pathetic. don't know what the problem is, but as long as it keeps trying to grow, i'll keep it.

mine never grew very good roots though; a grower i was chatting with remarked that he's never seen any of these clones with good roots.