New growth of Psychopsis Kalihi died

[zhilin]

Hi, everyone,

I am growing a Psychopsis Kalihi which is flowering again. While it is flowering, it puts out a new growth with 2 inch tall. But recently I found the new growth died (the little leaves of the new growth turned yellow and dried). Several months ago it also put out a new growth and that growth also died.

Can anybody tell me what is the reason?

Thanks,
Zhilin

[catttan]

I suspect red spider mites which seem to have a liking for the thick leaves of 'mule-eared oncidiums' ; Trichocentum and Psychopsis, and can cause drying-off of the young immature leaves : at least here in Malaysia where it is a real problem. Don't know about the conditions in CA.

[zhilin]

Thanks for your quick reply. What methods do you use to kill the spider mites? Is Neem Oil effective to kill them?

[catttan]

Thanks for your quick reply. What methods do you use to kill the spider mites? Is Neem Oil effective to kill them?

Never tried neem oil , so can't give you an answer.. For me, my all-purpose insecticide is malathion, which seems to take care of all my bug problems. I understand that CA has very strict laws regarding pesticides.When using malathion I take all the necessary precautions. Actually I spray only once or twice a year and that seems to be enough.

Your problem might not even be mite related. Hopefully others more familiar with growing conditions in CA will chip in to help.

[zhilin]

Thanks. Just another question: can underwater result in this phenomenon?

[Cjcorner]

Yes, underwatering is often when you find spider mites. If you have alot of webbing in the pot, or you think it may be pretty infested; a good idea would be to repot. I use some rubbing alcohol, murphys oil soap (like for wood floors, it's organic) and for a bad case I add my run of the mill orchid bug stuff, neem oil will work just make sure to keep plants in a shaded area for several days after treating. The oil needs time to evaporate or direct sunlight will "cook" your leaves. I like to completely dunk my plant, followed by hanging them upside down with a fan or good breeze blowing on them to speed drying. If the plants do not dry soon enough after dunking you can get rot.

[zhilin]

Thanks, Cjcorner.

Yes, underwatering is often when you find spider mites. If you have alot of webbing in the pot, or you think it may be pretty infested; a good idea would be to repot. I use some rubbing alcohol, murphys oil soap (like for wood floors, it's organic) and for a bad case I add my run of the mill orchid bug stuff, neem oil will work just make sure to keep plants in a shaded area for several days after treating. The oil needs time to evaporate or direct sunlight will "cook" your leaves. I like to completely dunk my plant, followed by hanging them upside down with a fan or good breeze blowing on them to speed drying. If the plants do not dry soon enough after dunking you can get rot.

[kjones1957]

Have you checked the condition of the roots? What kind of medium is it growing in? How much light is it getting and how often do you water it? I am by no means an expert, but I will tell you what works for me. It is hard to tell if a psychopsis is getting the right amount of light because the foliage is much darker than most orchids. They can take cattleya type conditions and like eastern morning light with good air flow (fan blowing indirectly near them). They can be picky about water, so I put mine in a mix or coir, fir bark, charcoal and pearlite over a layer of lava rocks in a clay orchid pot. Water doesn't stand in this type of mix. As a matter of fact, it drains and dries super fast. I water mine every other day until the medium is wet and the clay turns dark. A psychopsis will get wavy or crinkled leaves if it is not getting enough water. When you check the roots, they should be firm and white, not dark or mushy. If they are dark and mushy, be severe about trimming them back. I repotted and trimmed the roots of my psychopsis while it was in bloom and it did just fine. Just be careful not to damage the spike. If you have to repot, soak the medium you are going to use overnight in warm water with a drop or two of Superthrive in it. Use a pot clip to hold the plant in place until it establishes itself in the new medium and stake the spike for support. It takes several weeks to a month or more to see new root growth. I alternate feedings with 1/4 strength MaxSea one week and 1/2 strength Fox Farm or Terracycle worm tea/bat guano fertilizer the next week. Using this, my psychopsis is thriving and it has constant blooms and two new growths that are four to six inches in height.

If spider mites are the cause of your problem and treating for them takes care of it, great. If not, hopefully some of the information I have provided will help.

Good luck with it!

[zhilin]

Thank you very much for the information. I am pretty new to orchids. So I still have some questions. How do you check the roots? Do you dig it out of the pot to check roots? Or observe from the hole of the pot bottom? When the new growth appeared, there was also a spike. Now the new growth died, but the spike still grows. Do you think the new growth's death is because the spike needs more nutrition so the orchid has to "kill" the new growth?

Thanks again.
Zhilin

Have you checked the condition of the roots? What kind of medium is it growing in? How much light is it getting and how often do you water it? I am by no means an expert, but I will tell you what works for me. It is hard to tell if a psychopsis is getting the right amount of light because the foliage is much darker than most orchids. They can take cattleya type conditions and like eastern morning light with good air flow (fan blowing indirectly near them). They can be picky about water, so I put mine in a mix or coir, fir bark, charcoal and pearlite over a layer of lava rocks in a clay orchid pot. Water doesn't stand in this type of mix. As a matter of fact, it drains and dries super fast. I water mine every other day until the medium is wet and the clay turns dark. A psychopsis will get wavy or crinkled leaves if it is not getting enough water. When you check the roots, they should be firm and white, not dark or mushy. If they are dark and mushy, be severe about trimming them back. I repotted and trimmed the roots of my psychopsis while it was in bloom and it did just fine. Just be careful not to damage the spike. If you have to repot, soak the medium you are going to use overnight in warm water with a drop or two of Superthrive in it. Use a pot clip to hold the plant in place until it establishes itself in the new medium and stake the spike for support. It takes several weeks to a month or more to see new root growth. I alternate feedings with 1/4 strength MaxSea one week and 1/2 strength Fox Farm or Terracycle worm tea/bat guano fertilizer the next week. Using this, my psychopsis is thriving and it has constant blooms and two new growths that are four to six inches in height.

If spider mites are the cause of your problem and treating for them takes care of it, great. If not, hopefully some of the information I have provided will help.

Good luck with it!

[kjones1957]

Yes, you have to remove the plant from the medium it is in to check the condition of the roots. Gently remove all medium that is clinging to or caught up in the roots. Rinse the roots under tepid water. Then inspect them.
When you say there is a spike, are you talking about the established spike that is flowering or something else?
There are many reasons why an orchid could abort new growth. It would really help if you posted a photo of the plant.