Troubleshooting
Hooded Pleurothallis problems — and how to fix them
Hooded Pleurothallis (Pleurothallis palliolata) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Desiccation on mounts
Mounted plants dry out very quickly, especially in low humidity or with air conditioning running. Without daily misting, the small root systems shrivel and the plant declines rapidly. Mounted Pleurothallis may need twice-daily misting in summer or the addition of a thicker sphagnum pad to retain more moisture overnight.
Fungus gnats and root damage
If grown in pot culture with sphagnum or fine bark, fungus gnats can infest the medium and their larvae damage the fine roots. Allow the medium surface to dry slightly between waterings if gnats appear, use yellow sticky traps, and treat with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) or beneficial nematodes.
Botrytis on flowers
The small, clustered flowers that emerge at the leaf bases are vulnerable to Botrytis cinerea in cool, stagnant, high-humidity conditions. Ensure continuous air movement with a small fan, remove spent flowers promptly, and treat any grey fuzzy patches with a copper-based fungicide.
Prevent hooded pleurothallis problems before they start
Most hooded pleurothallis issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Hooded Pleurothallis problems — FAQ
Why is my hooded pleurothallis desiccation on mounts?
Mounted plants dry out very quickly, especially in low humidity or with air conditioning running. Without daily misting, the small root systems shrivel and the plant declines rapidly. Mounted Pleurothallis may need twice-daily misting in summer or the addition of a thicker sphagnum pad to retain more moisture overnight.
Why is my hooded pleurothallis fungus gnats and root damage?
If grown in pot culture with sphagnum or fine bark, fungus gnats can infest the medium and their larvae damage the fine roots. Allow the medium surface to dry slightly between waterings if gnats appear, use yellow sticky traps, and treat with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) or beneficial nematodes.
Why is my hooded pleurothallis botrytis on flowers?
The small, clustered flowers that emerge at the leaf bases are vulnerable to Botrytis cinerea in cool, stagnant, high-humidity conditions. Ensure continuous air movement with a small fan, remove spent flowers promptly, and treat any grey fuzzy patches with a copper-based fungicide.