Troubleshooting
Lycaste skinneri problems — and how to fix them
Lycaste skinneri (Lycaste skinneri) 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.
No flowers
Usually a missing seasonal rest. Lycaste needs cooler, drier winter conditions and a real dip in watering to trigger the bloom spike from mature pseudobulbs.
Brown leaf tips
Low humidity or salt buildup. Raise ambient moisture and flush the mix monthly with plain water to leach accumulated fertiliser salts.
Spider mites
The soft pleated leaves are mite-prone in dry indoor air; look for fine stippling and webbing on undersides. Rinse foliage and raise humidity.
Shrivelled pseudobulbs
Over-drying during the rest, or dead roots from earlier overwatering. Check root health at repotting and keep the winter rest light rather than bone-dry.
Prevent lycaste skinneri problems before they start
Most lycaste skinneri issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for lycaste skinneri in general rather than its problems? Read the full lycaste skinneri care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Lycaste skinneri problems — FAQ
Why is my lycaste skinneri no flowers?
Usually a missing seasonal rest. Lycaste needs cooler, drier winter conditions and a real dip in watering to trigger the bloom spike from mature pseudobulbs.
Why is my lycaste skinneri brown leaf tips?
Low humidity or salt buildup. Raise ambient moisture and flush the mix monthly with plain water to leach accumulated fertiliser salts.
Why is my lycaste skinneri spider mites?
The soft pleated leaves are mite-prone in dry indoor air; look for fine stippling and webbing on undersides. Rinse foliage and raise humidity.
Why is my lycaste skinneri shrivelled pseudobulbs?
Over-drying during the rest, or dead roots from earlier overwatering. Check root health at repotting and keep the winter rest light rather than bone-dry.