The Orchid Source - Orchid Forum

I've had this plant for over a week now, and it looks to be suffering. It's in an aquarium with day temps in the low 70's and humidity in the low 60%'s. I don't have a fan for the aquarium itself, but the top is partially open and close to a fan that runs 24/7. The plant develops sunken brown spots on the leaves, and the leaves then turn yellow and drop off. I've sprayed the plant with physan but it's not making any difference. Is this the plant simply acclimating to my less-than-desirable conditions, or is it committing suicide?

What is your water quality like?

I've been giving it distilled water.

Okay, that is fine in the short term although there should be a little something in the water so you might want to add in a bit of tap. It could be transition if it is a few leaves. You'll know if you lose them all and no new leaves grow. I generally lose a couple of leaves depending on the abuse the plant took getting to me.

Not familar with this massie but if it is a cool or intermediate to cool grower I would either try to keep the daytime temps. a bit lower &/or raise the humidity especially if the other leaves are looking droopy. I would also check for small crawly's. Good luck.

From what I recall of its parentage, which I don't remember offhand, it's somewhat warmth tolerant (for a masd.). I'll try adding a little bit of tap water and see how that goes.

It would be ironic if I killed the 'easier grower' and yet manage to maintain (though not bloom) a masd. barleana. :rolleyes:

M. barleana is the bane of my Masd. growing. It grows like a weed (got it in the mail after it spent 10 days lost in a frigid post office somewhere), it lost all but 3 leaves and is now filling the equivalent of a 6" pot and that after dividing the sucker but it has never once even tried to bloom.

It needs a cold bright winter and it just isn't likely to ever get that at my house.

LOL Max.....I bought a Masd barleana a couple months ago. It to has lots of nice leaves. I am going to give it some time to adjust though seeing as it had no roots.....it does now, but isn't thinking of blooming yet.

Bailey....could you get a mister and a little fan for inside the tank?

I see I'm not the only one who hasn't been able to bloom barleana. Bought it last summer as a BS plant. It has put out quite a # of new leaves but no spikes. Have to figure out how to give it cooler winter night time temps. without the crawleys getting to it.

I may try putting mine in the fridge at night. If it won't bloom, I may as well kill it..... :rolleyes:

I don't think the fridge would kill it. You probably have a better chance than me just because your basement is likely to be cooler than my house in the winter. I've also heard that the 'Harold' clone isn't as bad as the others but unfortunately that is not the one I have.

I don't have a Masd. barlaeana but I do have a primary hybrid Masd. Parlatoreana (Masd. veitchiana x Masd. barlaeana) which gave me 25 blooms last year, and I see that it's producing a lot of spikes now. It doesn't seem to mind dry hot weather in San Jose. Here are photos from last year:





I have it potted in sphagnum moss in a 4" clay pot. I use mostly distilled water (with some tap water mixed in) for watering and fertilizing, and I spay with distilled water frequently on warm days. It stays outside against the north-facing wall of the house all year.

Good luck with yours, Bailey Katt. I don't think orchids commit suicide although it often seems they do.

I have barleana 'Harold'...it got 50 degree nights and 3000 footcandles last winter...it will get 3500 this winter...if it STILL doesnt bloom...its getting an introduction to the salad shooter......... A balsamic viniagrette will accompany it in the bowl.

Well, for the masd. experts, Orange Delight = (M. Angel Frost (veitchiana x strobelii) x hirtzii).

I am going to try rigging the aquarium this weekend, if the plant hasn't killed itself by then. Until then, let's all pray for poor Orange Delight.

Oh, yeah - Harold. I have that version of m. barleana. I haven't given up on it yet, but I'm thisclose to doing so. At least it looks healthy!

Mine too is Harold.