I have two besseae hybrids with leaves that look like hell. Spotty, messy looking leaves...they both have fischerii as a parent. So I wonder if this is a particular trait that fischerii is know for. :confused:

Any ideas?

(then again, I suppose it could be a micropetalum issue in general, she said looking at all of her besseae hybrids) Do others have this issue? (OR, maybe they just hate me?)

I don't know the answer but it could very well be caused by other reasons, from your conditions to just inferior plants. :wink: I know you have great plants. :)

Heather,

In talking to Bob at Antec, he claims the leaf tip dieback can be controlled by adjusting the ph. If your problem is something else then I don't know...

This is not tip dieback w/ the fischerii hybs, different weird spotting. I'll try to post a pic in a day or so.

However, I have had tip dieback w/ a young besseae and now with a young St. Ouen, and both good ones, but both small. In order to control pH variables for a while, until I understand pH better, I've decided to water w/ distilled w/ Ray's MSU for pure water for a while and see how I do. This way, I will know if the fert is better for the plants than before. Takes the guess out of it, and I can monitor the plants better. In the meantime I'll figure out what "soup" I need to make w/ my tap water for my plants.

I have a besseae that did that early on...most likely was caused by sour mix, low humidity or pH issues. When I noticed this mid leaf "splotchyness" I repotted it, and moved it to my more humid, cooler basement area under a HPS...it has sinced flourished and is starting to spike. I think the cool temps really and 80% humidity help a lot in this species...as kovachii will probably also need due to it's native altitude. I can't wait til it blooms it's (Ecuadorian 4n x Peruvian 4n) from HP Norten when I saw him at Hilltop Orchids for a Phal. open house a few years back.
I will get some pics of the splotchyness and the plant itself...and eventually the flower and post it here to compare spotting.
Jon

I would be careful adding MSU (for pure water) fertilizer to distilled water without checking the final ph. If your ph is too acid ( or conversely too alkaline - not the problem with MSU and distilled/RO water) - the plants will not be able to absorb the necessary nutrients from the fertilizer solution. This can lead to micronutrient deficiencies that can cause weird leaf spotting etc and a general decline in plant vigor.

Whenever you find leaf spotting or blotchiness check for spider mites!!!! The are insidious.

Thanks,
Consettbay - I will certainly be checking pH before and after watering today, yes, and will adjust if necessary.

Jon, thanks, look forward to pics.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/jonbar1/j.jpg

Is this what your's looks like?
This is what I was mentioning above, and for more pics of the plant in spike see the thread I started about it.
Jon

Not really...
Here's three photos of my Beverly Fischer. I only got it in December, and it hasn't worsened, really. This first pic, the lowest leaf is dying back but doesn't seem to be anything unusual. I did have to practically bury the two older previously bloomed growths, because of the climbing nature, so that may be contributing to the die beack of this leaf.

But it is the spotting that I wonder about...doesn't make for beautiful plants for sure...thanks!
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/5a0d160b.jpg

(my apologies for the blurriness!)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/22584a22.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y134/ahmcd33/d83ae6b2.jpg

Could it be water droplet damage? :? I have something like that but it occurs
on my oncidiums when I splash water on the leaves.