Grammatophyllum problems

[HollyGwen]

Hi. . . I'm looking for some help/answers as to what it is that my grammatophyllums might have? One by one, the exisitng leaves start fading and turning yellow and getting kinda translucent with some spots and basically seeming to rot. Even the new young growth is affected shortly after emerging (or sometimes it takes ahwile) and I can literally pull them out of the root ball because they have started rotting or something down inside. They seem to keep growing new shoots, but so far, only a couple have made it out to be full leaves. I don't believe that I over water or underwater and they have good ventilation.

Any ideas??

[digitalgate]

smell like rotting problem. is your water clean?

[HollyGwen]

Thanks for the response! I just use hose water on them. . . . it's not well water, it's the regular treated city water. . I live in Kona, Hawaii, so it's treated catchment water I believe. I have some photos that I'm attaching. . maybe the ailment might be recognizable? Well, for some reason, it's not able to do any attachments right now. . .so maybe I can try sending them later?

HC

[Catcym]

HiWelcome to the forum
I'll like to see some pictures, but you need to post 5 times before.

[HollyGwen]

Hi! Thanks for the education! I guess I'll have to just do some abstract postings or something, right? I don't want to have to wait to get any help! I guess with over 400 orchids, I must have other questions or comments, right?!
I'll get some photos posted ASAP!

Aloha,
Holly

[HollyGwen]

I think that I can finally upload photos so I'm going to try!

[digitalgate]

look like mites problem.

[HollyGwen]

Any suggestions on what to use for mites? I did try insecticidal soap, but it doesn't seem to be helping. . . .

[digitalgate]

i think you found the answer.
Checking For Mites

[jerrymeola]

HolleyGwen

Your photos are confusing in several ways. Yellowing and transparent leaves are the characteristics of the way leaves die on Grammatophylum. That does not worry me.

The spots too would not be a concern except it looks like they are conming out on the new growth. I have all kinds of older pseudobulbs die but the new growth always comes out fresh and bright green.

I went to look at mine after I read this thread. One that has been in flower, and I looked at every day, had every original pseudobulb on the plant dry up and shrivel to less than half its original size in ONE night, even the one that had the flower spike. But even with this plant, it has two new growths, that are growing very fast and there are new roots everywhere.

I have grammatophylum that have died back from cold or other abuse and the recovery rate is excellant.

I would look for insects as suggested.

You also may have a combination of several things like normal leaf death and insect bites, that are not related.

[jerrymeola]

I also had another thought. How often do you fertilize the plant (they are big eaters) and do you use a fertilizer with magnesium in it.

The middle photo made me think of a magnesium deficency.

I do not normally see the problem on orchids, but it is a big problem in Florida on our trees. The dark green lightens and the veins in the leaves become pronounce. I did not think of it at fish as there are no viens on orchids to make it noticible.

Epson salt will cure magnesium deficiency. About 1/2 tsp per gallon should be right and dunk it for 10-15 minutes. Maybe someone else can check this dilution level as I am talking without a reference and I do not need to do it often.

Also look at the new roots. Not the thin roots that grow straight up, but the thick roots that grow down like other orchids. Grammatophylum have two very different types of roots. The ones growing up catch leaves and organic matter, which decompose to feed the plant. The other roots grow like normal orchid leaves.

[HollyGwen]

Thank you for all of the suggestions jerrymeola! I think that the name of my fertilizer is 'Osmosis'. . . small grey round slow release stuff. . . maybe I don't use it enough? Or perhaps, it doesn't have the right ingredients. . . I purchase it from a local orchid retail seller and use it on all of my orchids. I'll try the epsom salt dunk on one of them to see what happens there. Any suggestions on better fertilizer?

digitalgate, I see that the Bayer 3 in 1 is recommended by Cynthia. . .I think that I have that as well, but haven't used it yet. The problem is definitely getting worse and is spreading, so I sprayed some more today. I'll try the Bayer tomorrow. We'll see what happens and I'll post some results. Bugs and fungus, etc. are SO bad here in Hawaii. . . it's a constant and unbelievable battle on all plants and flowers. . . literally endless, and most plants, including my orchids, usually have more than one problem at a time! Even when you try to be diligent. It's just so awful to see all of my grammas losing all of their leaves and new grow and sitting there with almost just bulbs. Everytime the new growth comes out, no matter how healthy it looks at first, it gets 'attacked' shortly there after. It seems that spraying anything on those delicate new leaves is going to take it's toll as well.

[digitalgate]

yap, you have mites problem. Nice camera

[HollyGwen]

Thanks Digitalgate. . . I've now been reading the 'mites' thread that you had pointed out to me and I guess the Bayer 3 in 1 is a no go. . . .I'm going to try the Bayer Rose and Plant insect killer suggested. . . hopefully I won't have to buy that really expensive stuff!
(That's my Canon Powershot and it really does take wonderfully detailed shots. . all automatic, so no guessing! Every once in awhile, something is out of focus, but not very often!!)
HC