Question

Balled up growth on st   Hi Jeff and Jacob.
This is a pot I put together about a year ago.  It has a bunch of spathulata a few capes 1 scorpiodies and 1 staghorn.  The staghorn recently started looking bad.  The new growth is all bunched up in a ball and never opened.  I had pulled out and clipped off dead growth recently but can't think of anything else that changed in its environment, which is indoors under a 100watt T5 hood in the winter months with 12/12 lighting.  I am now bringing this pot outside during the days since it has been close to 50.

Answer
Hi Ed,

I'm not totally sure what is going on here, but here's some things to try and inspect for.  First, don't be moving the plant indoors and out.  Your T-5 lighting is great, and it's too early to put them outside for the season, so this will only make your plants worse.  Moving plants around is a big no-no since they are constantly trying to re-adapt the the changing light and humidity.

Next, since it's been a year, I would repot the plants.  When you take them out inspect them with a hand lens for any insects.  Since the Giant Staghorn has large roots, you may have a cutworm eating them.  I've had this happen with Cape Sundews in the past.  Cutworms are a big insect larvae, so these you can just remove by hand.  If you see any other bugs you may need to treat.   The fresh soil from repotting should also help invigorate the plants.

Hope this helps.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com