Troubleshooting
Three-Colored Lycaste problems — and how to fix them
Three-Colored Lycaste (Lycaste tricolor) 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.
Fungal leaf spotting
Brown or black spots expand quickly in warm, humid, still air. Improve ventilation immediately, remove affected tissue, and apply a systemic fungicide. Avoid overhead watering.
Bud blast
Developing flower buds drop prematurely when exposed to sudden temperature swings, draughts, or ethylene gas (from ripening fruit nearby). Keep plants in stable conditions away from heaters and fruit bowls during budding.
Scale insects
Brown or white waxy lumps appear on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides. Remove manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and treat with horticultural oil. Inspect regularly as scale spreads slowly but persistently.
Prevent three-colored lycaste problems before they start
Most three-colored lycaste issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Three-Colored Lycaste problems — FAQ
Why is my three-colored lycaste fungal leaf spotting?
Brown or black spots expand quickly in warm, humid, still air. Improve ventilation immediately, remove affected tissue, and apply a systemic fungicide. Avoid overhead watering.
Why is my three-colored lycaste bud blast?
Developing flower buds drop prematurely when exposed to sudden temperature swings, draughts, or ethylene gas (from ripening fruit nearby). Keep plants in stable conditions away from heaters and fruit bowls during budding.
Why is my three-colored lycaste scale insects?
Brown or white waxy lumps appear on pseudobulbs and leaf undersides. Remove manually with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and treat with horticultural oil. Inspect regularly as scale spreads slowly but persistently.