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Thread: Grammatophyllum Multiflorum Losing Older Leaves

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  1. #1
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    Default Grammatophyllum Multiflorum Losing Older Leaves

    Ha everyone. I have had this Grammatophyllum for over just at one year now and it has grown considerably. It is still putting out new pseudo bulbs and leaves, but it's over the last two or three months lost many of the older leaves. It came from the vendor with a bit of black spotting and some leafless back bulbs. The new leaves on it are a bit darker green and quite shiney. The (before my time) older leaves its dropping have always been a lighter green and the leaves had no gloss to them. I see no infection or pests that could cause this, but my experience with this orchid is still limited, so I wanted some advice. The only changes in it's culture have been keeping the temperature between 65 degrees F. and 80 degrees F. almost exclusively and I have two florescent tube lights within 6 to 12 inches of the leaves for some months now (On on average 3 to 4 hours this time of year. My questions are; Does this orchid want some real heat above the moderate temps I have now? Could this just be a period of more rapid in with the new and out with the old? BTW I believe its presently putting less leaves on than it's lossing. Any other ideas from those who have raised this Grammatophyllum multiflorum would be appreciated. P.S. it gets some direct sun............AL

  2. #2
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    OK newbie where is the picture? How can we pick your plant apart and criticiize you growing methods without seeing a picture of this apparently abused plant? LOL I believe they like it warm and lots of light. At least that is the way I grow mine. It sounds as though the leaf loss is normal.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by gardenguysorchids View Post
    ....It sounds as though the leaf loss is normal.
    I agree.

    cheers,
    BD

  4. #4
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    I too am going to guess it is normal. Your new growth sounds normal as well. Perhaps a picture? My grammy's are out back getting singed leaves. I have no spikes and it is enjoying temps in the 90's every day right now with a heat index in the 100-115 F. range nearly every day. I'm guessing they bloom when they want to...kind of like big vanda types. lol Intimidation and threats haven't worked so far. I guess next I start giving them massive doses of fertilizer...something has to work sooner or later.

  5. #5
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    Thanks you guys! I will keep an eye on this orchid. Your remarks are not only helpful, but so cool.........................I appreciate the humor. Just got the camera back from someone who borrowed it (Boy they must of been desparate). Will post photo later. Thanks again! AL

  6. #6
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    Nothing to worry about, all sounds normal to me. If its stubborn to flower, let it dry out completely for some weeks until pbulbs totally shrivel and then give it the heaviest watering for a month.

  7. #7
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    Kjeldsen Affoon
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    Gramm. are from the tropics 3 to 4 hrs i dont think is sufficient light

  8. #8
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    That's supplemental lighting in my greenhouse King Kjeldz and mainly for winter use. AL

  9. #9
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    ohh well those dark green leaves with a gloss sound like softer growth...not conducive with flowering.....i was just thinking

  10. #10
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    I don't know King Kjeldz if this plant is the exception to the rule on shiney gloss, darker leaves being "soft growths" or what, but the greenhouse light exposure for this orchid is in the rafters, bright direct sun or indirect bright light. Theres no doubting that. The 'dull lighter green leaves the orchid came with are now all gone as of yesterday and the new growths continue. Thanks for your interest! AL

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