Tiny Livestock? Do You Mean Bugs?

by Marion
(Milwaukee, WI USA)

My Dendrobium (I think) orchid, which summers outdoors, has sprouted some very crinkled leaves. Could there be some tiny livestock chewing on its roots? I've set the plant in a bath to see if anything tries to swim for its life, but nothing. What should I do?

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Oct 30, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		don't Think It Is Bugs, But Just Too Dry At One Point
by: Melissa

Hi Marion,

Thanks for your question. Sorry it has taken such a long time to get back to you.

Tiny Livestock? Do You Mean Bugs?

I do not think that your your orchid which has
"sprouted some very crinkled leaves" is necessarily suffering from bugs.

Typically the symptom that you are describing (which is very common with Oncidium orchids) often can come from a time when the orchid does not have sufficient water. It does not necessarily that it is not getting enough water at the current time, but just that at one point it did go into a water deficient. The leaves tend to get crinkly and sort of fold up a little like an accordian. If this has happened and the leaves have responded this way, it will not go away on that particular leaf even when the plant is restored to proper water status.

What should you do?

Make sure you know what kind of orchid it is for sure and find out what it needs in terms or light, temperature and water to thrive and give those conditions to it. Maybe try to set a specific watering schedule that will meet the orchids water needs. Just the right amount. Not too much or too often, and sufficient so that it does not dry out too much. Unless of course it is an orchid that needs to dry out between waterings.

Hope this helps!

Melissa
www.orchids-plus-more.com

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