A brunette Zygopetalum

[sarahplo]

Gah, I'm currently spending time on a borrowed computer so I don't have too much time to search through previous threads--I'm sorry if this is a repeat question.
I got a well-established zygo a month ago (at the least). The newer leaves are becoming completely brown starting at the tip and working downward. I twisted one of these new sets of leaves and it separated from some surrounding leaves. It had what looked like white mold down towards the base.
I thought I had gotten a plant with live sphagnum moss because the moss was green on top...now I'm not so sure! Do you think I have a mold problem?
I have been soaking the roots today so I can loosen the sphag and repot.
I'll keep you posted on whether or not this helps, and maybe post pics if it continues.
I freaked out when I got discoloration on my twinkle shortly after shipping and my fellow orchidgeeks reassured me long enough for it to go back to healthy status. I know that shipping temps are not the cause here, but I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance--or worse case scenario--intervention to save this great new plant!
You know we all NEED more pictures of purple flowers!

[katrina]

sarah -- I think I know exactly what you're talking about in regards to the "white mold". In the past year+ I've had 2 zygos w/that same white stuff in the mix. These plants came w/it and both came in from a Hawaiian grower. I believe it's more of a fungus than a mold (my best guess based on appearance)...it's weaving in and about through the media...almost like fine hairs. I have no real idea what is it and my bad news is it appears to be impossible to rid...at least for me it has been impossible to eradicate.

Even after soaking...multiple times...repotting and keeping the plants more in the dry side...it's always come back. I lost one plant and am in the process of losing the 2nd.

Both plants ended up losing all the roots. I though I was salvaging the 2nd...it's been about a month since the final root loss and last soak...it's been in a clay slotted orchid pot...being kept more dry...one root had grown in and the pbulbs remained plump so I thought I had beat it. Much to my dismay, I noticed this past weekend that the white fuzzy stuff is back.

I'm hoping someone here will know what this stuff is and perhaps they'll have a solution.

Personally, I've done another soak in a natural antibacterial/fungal/microbial solution and this time I added a health dose of melaleuca oil (tea tree). This oil is pretty potent stuff and it might even hurt the plant due to the amounts I used but I figured I had nothing to lose. I was going to give mine one more shot and if the white fuzzy stuff comes back, I was planning on pitching the plant. I'm also keeping mine isolated away from the others for fear of spores transferring to other plants/media.

As for the browned leaves...my leaves didn't do that. Since it's on the newer growths I am going to assume that it's some sort of rot and/or bacterial condition. You particular plant might have more than one issue going on here.

Pics would be extremely helpful...if you can post them...it might help diagnose what's going on w/your zygo.

Hopefully someone will know what this nasty white stuff is...and they'll have a solution for it.

[Orchidementia]

It sounds like mildew. Strip all the affected leaves - you may have to strip down to the pbulb -and wash the plant with either soap/alcohol/cinnamon/water mix or a commercial antifungal (I use the home-made stuff). If it's on a new growth, strip off the outer leaves and stuff a paper towel rolled into a spike into the "cup" of the new growth while you're washing it to keep it dry. Cut the brown ends off the leaves with clean, sterile scissors.

Once the plant is stripped and washed, place it somewhere where it's not crowded next to other plants and where it can get strong sunlight (preferable) or appropriate artificial light and STRONG AIRFLOW 24/7. If you're growing outside in CA or FL, keep the plant outside and slightly underwatered while it's cold; inside water as usual, but make sure foliage is dry until plant heals (and place the plant outside as soon as night time temps are reliably 40 and above; they are cool growers and 40 is fine; mine are doing well with 34-36 nights!).

If this white stuff is spider mites, the homemade soap mix kills them, too. It kills damn near everything!

[jerrymeola]

sarahpho

You asked for a purple flower so here is Lc Mini Purple. It is a semi-miniature getting about 6-8 inches tall with 3+ inch flowers

One reason you do not see many on the forum is that digital cameras have a problem in recording the color purple. I hear many people complain there camera is 'no good' when really it is some digital cameras.

The color in this photo is very accurate to the flower but not exactly what the camera recorded.