Beallara Patricia McCully leaf discoloration

[Amblnc38]

I know these pictures are not that great. It's hard to picture the discoloration but there are definite lighter areas on the leaves. Is it possible it's not getting enough light? I keep it in an east facing window that gets full morning light and fairly bright light the rest of the day.

One leaf is also turning yellow and a few others black around the edges. I have no idea what's going on.

[Amblnc38]

Here's two more, the image upload isnt' workign on the forum.

[Dendian]

Personally - and I don't have a whole bunch of these so I can't say for certain - but I would be more concerned about the shape of the psuedobulbs.

Is that black spot mushy or firm? I don't think its getting enough water - possibly because of lack of roots or because of underwatering.

The Onc. types that I have get the black speckling on the leaves - I have heard it is a fungus possibily (from watering and then getting cool) - but it doesn't hurt the plant.

The light spots may be because of too much light - all at once? - but not too little (that is usually dark green). They might also be mites - but I have never had that so I can't tell you much.

I am sure there are more possibilities - but that's my best guess so far...

[Amblnc38]

The bulbs are dark purple and came that way. I will move here and modify the watering schedule, from every 4th day to every 3rd.

[Dendian]

Ah - I have never seen one with dark purple psuedobulbs.

I think you might want to check the watering with the skewer method - see when the skewer/media is damp but not wet - and water by that - instead of a "set" day. Too much watering will kill the roots - and will look exactly like too little water.

[ArtGeekMark]

Hi there, I have a Bllra Patricia McCully 'Pacific Matriarch' as well however the bulbs never got that dark purple - unfortunately I am not the most experienced only getting serious into orchids about three years ago. The wrinkling is needing a little more watering & the wrinkling goes away.

As for the yellowing of the leaves I can only take a guess perhaps a little too much light yet obviously not enough that it thankfully didn't get a sunburn. I had this happen with my other Beallara Tropic Tom 'Pale Face' and it was nothing major; just try tad bit more of a shaded area but it'll be fine, if that's what is making your's leaves yellow.

I hope someone can give you good info on why the pseudobulbs are getting dark color, having two bllras it'd be good info to know myself. Good luck & happy growing!

[Amblnc38]

They definitely came that way. *shruggs* So I have no idea. Kind of the appeal. I have been letting her dry completely, so that might be part of the problem? I will move her into my bedroom a few more feet from the window...hopefully that helps.

[orchids4me]

Are you seeing sighns of new roots or growths yet ? The shriveling can be 2 things not enough water or to much water causing root rot. When did you last re pot ? Have you checked the root ball lately ? Usually that's where it all begins (problems) under the media hidden from us ....

[Amblnc38]

I just repotted her two weeks ago. I had to prune a lot of dead roots. So that might be the issue. But would that be causing the leaf discoloration?

[Dendian]

Ah hah - that makes sense - the shriveling of the Pbulbs is cause by lack of roots - and letting it dry all the way out. Letting it dry all the way out will cause the growths to put out new roots looking for the water - but it will also pull a lot out of the plant when its doing this. When the new roots start to come in I would put it back on the "water when almost dry" routine - its what it prefers.

The leaf discoloration could also be caused by the plant pulling the nutrients out of the leaves to make new roots. I have had mine drop almost all of its leaves when I had to remove most of the roots due to rot (overpotted and stayed sopping wet at the store). However - about 2 months later I had tons of brand new roots and two big growths - and it bloomed this year (Sand. Pacific Black Star).

However, as I stated in the beginning I am basing my advise on other Onc, Intergenerics that I have had for several years - not your specific plant.

[Amblnc38]

There are a few small roots forming it looks like. So hopefully that's all that's wrong.