Troubleshooting
Weberbauer's Lepanthes problems — and how to fix them
Weberbauer's Lepanthes (Lepanthes weberbaueri) 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.
Shrivelling ramicauls
Indicates chronic dehydration or low humidity. Increase misting frequency, check the humidity gauge, and resoak the mount if roots appear desiccated.
Botrytis mould
Grey mould develops in stagnant high-humidity air. A continuous low-speed fan is essential to prevent this.
Spider mites
Check leaf undersides regularly. Treat promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil, as tiny leaves are rapidly damaged.
Sudden temperature rise
Warm spells above 22°C cause stress and bud blast. Move to the coolest position available and avoid placing near heat sources.
Salt burn on roots
White mineral deposits on mount or roots indicate salt build-up from tap water. Switch to rainwater or reverse-osmosis water and flush regularly.
Prevent weberbauer's lepanthes problems before they start
Most weberbauer's lepanthes issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Weberbauer's Lepanthes problems — FAQ
Why is my weberbauer's lepanthes shrivelling ramicauls?
Indicates chronic dehydration or low humidity. Increase misting frequency, check the humidity gauge, and resoak the mount if roots appear desiccated.
Why is my weberbauer's lepanthes botrytis mould?
Grey mould develops in stagnant high-humidity air. A continuous low-speed fan is essential to prevent this.
Why is my weberbauer's lepanthes spider mites?
Check leaf undersides regularly. Treat promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil, as tiny leaves are rapidly damaged.
Why is my weberbauer's lepanthes sudden temperature rise?
Warm spells above 22°C cause stress and bud blast. Move to the coolest position available and avoid placing near heat sources.
Why is my weberbauer's lepanthes salt burn on roots?
White mineral deposits on mount or roots indicate salt build-up from tap water. Switch to rainwater or reverse-osmosis water and flush regularly.