If I am successful at uploading images of a troubled orchid, I'd very much like your help.
I bought this and a few days, the lower 1/3 leaves started falling off and were of a mushy texture. The co. gladly replaced it and I'd like to prevent it from happening to the new one.
Ursula was kind enough to suggest I post openly so all could help me with this as there are so many learned people in this particular site. And as usual, Ursula and Kathy are correct.
Wish my luck at uploading. Lee


Thank you for taking time to view these. I've never run into a problem with any other my plants like this. It is still in the medium in which I received them but was assured by the plants' nursery to leave it in the medium. For some reason, I don't agree with this. I have other media on hand such as spag, moss, med. fir bark and some kind which resembles ceramic marlbles.
BTW, I apologize for not giving the name of the plant. It is Epi. 'Red Glow'.
They are being grown in a S-S/W window with a sheer panel in the window. Since having received the first and it being in such a state, I've not fed it and have given it just a small amount of water as the medium feels a little too damp to which I'm not used.
The night time temps. of late have been about 55-58 and day temps. in the mid-80's.
Thank you again.

Is it a Den x?? I would keep it warmer at night (60s) and maybe away from the window where it's cooler. I would lightly spray the exposed roots daily. I doubt it needs more than medium light if it's a den.

Kathy, I would think we are talking about this one:
http://cubits.org/orchids/thre...
http://cubits.org/orchids/thre...
http://cubits.org/orchids/thre...
http://cubits.org/orchids/thre...
etc etc
Lee, please do correct me if I am wrong.

I like Janice's advice re-potting into fresh mix. And - I would get that plant (slowly so you don't burn it) acclimatized to full sun ( especially now in Winter)/ growing without sheer curtains. Also fertilizing might be a good idea every so often.
The replacement plant might also be happier in brighter light condition.

Hello Kathy and Ursula,
Thanks for responding in your usual quick manner. Kathy it's an Epi. 'Red Glow' from which I ordered from Logees. Would your temp. advice remain the same? It's in my regular orchid room with a S-S/W exposure with sheer panels. I will move it further from the window though if you still advise that. Thanks.
Ursula, you are spot on on the correct pics. See how dreadful it looks? I didn't see Janice's response so will need to locate it. I do have some med fir bark mix and some coconut husks and a little perlite, and some med. tree fern fiber. What should I do? Repot tomorrow after I've had time to re-hydrate the medium? Too, should the water I use to re-hydrate be only water or might I add some Dyna-Gro Liquid Bloom 3-12-6?
Too, do you think the one in the pics is a goner?
Might I request any of you to rsvp asap? I had such high hopes for this plant. However, I do have the replacement one which is doing well at the moment but is in the same blasted medium.
Thanks, Lee

Ursula, I can't find Janice's ( or her at all nor her specific re-potting mix is she offered one. If she did, do you remember the specifics?)
I do hate to be a bother to you and Kathy but I know and trust you two. In the past, I've caused consternation to people and now I just try to lie low as I attempt to build back up my psyche. A wounded psyche is difficult to heal. Please forgive me my transgressions of the past. Lee.

Lee, it is the 4. link I had posted at 3:10 pm and the whole conversation is also 4/5 down this thread.
http://cubits.org/orchids/thre...

Took a while to find that thread again, but I agree with Janice. Lee, I have grown my Epis in straight bark, outdoors year round, in full sun for many years. I was told that the new hybrids won't take as much cold, but will take the sun and heat. I'll soon find out if that's true. We don't often get down to freezing, but it happens occasionly. Just remember that they need to aclimate slowly to new growing conditions. That could have been the problem with the first one. Sounds like you are doing everything right, but you should probably repot and slowly move it closer to the window. If they can take full sun in So. Cal. and Hawaii, I'm sure they can take it where you are.

Lee, I would repot both plants.
Wash them gently in the sink first. I even fill the sink partially with water and give them a good gentle soak.
You just never know what they have been subjected to before coming into your possession! They could have been over-fertilized or bombarded with pesticides...never can tell. I clean them up. Have never had a plant object to a light bath. My paphs, especially love this. At that time, you can snip off any dead roots and assess the plant.
Also I would isolate both plants for a couple of weeks, from your other orchids, just to be sure...
Repot in a clean pot with fresh medium. Hope this helps, Lee.

Sorry, I was away today but it looks like you got lots of great advice!

Hey Boo, I hope you bought oodles of orchids. Indeed, I got great and practical advice. Tomorrow, I will repot the Epis in a med. sized fir bark. Janice, Carol, and Ursula gave me wonderful and sensible advice. Of course, I know Ursula and of her reputation as an excellent orchid grower but I had the pleasure of meeting Janice and Carol and they, too, seem to know about what they speak.
I want to thank you and Ursula for suggesting I post openly so I'd get more advice. You and Ursula know how shy I was to post openly but I'm opening up to it now. I just hate to feel I'm putting people to any trouble.
Kathy, you've started a nice cubit, one of which you must be proud. I'm pleased for you. I didn't know how I'd be welcomed back into the fold but most have been very nice and have held out their outstretched arms. This makes me feel good as I was feeling like a pariah.
Oh, well, I'll not blather.
Until later and will keep you up-to-date about the Epis as I will Ursula if she'll be kind enough to allow me to do so. Lee (before ear pinning)

Thanks, Lee. Hope this is a good place for you. I really am enjoying running a website and the members are all fab!!!

Boo, I do hope you do consider me fab. At one time, I had my doubts and this troubled me . But that is in the past.
There is no doubt at all that this is a good website. None. It's obvious you spend alot of time working with it and on it. And it seems to have repaid you with the followings of this site? cubit?. Are they interchangeable?
I know you have the character and determination to keep up the good work and give all of us who visit it with lots of useful information and humor. The latter is important, you know.
Good night and take care, Lee

about humor!
Since I work with teens all day, I've learned how necessary humor is!

Kevin, here are my reed stem Epis in situ. As you can see, they are exposed to the elements year round, and neglected.

and the new one just starting to bloom

Nice!!!

Carol, pretty, big Epis!! Is the yellow Rene Marquee?

Carol, how beautiful!! I can't imagine living in a climate where one could leave out orchids year round!! It's similar to how odd I'd find it celebrating Christmas during hot weather as a friend of mine in Australia does.
It was most kind of you to go to the trouble of getting out this a.m. and taking the photos but I'm grateful and much obliged. Whenever you can, I'd llke to see some more.
Lee.

Just finished repotting the Epi. 'Red Glow'. A very simple task. Just wanted to share with all of you who were so kind as to give me advice.
Will ATTEMpt to post. It might take a day or two for me to remember how but I'll get there. Lee

They look great!!!!!