Hi Everyone! Newbie needs advice.

[ALJ]

This site is so informative and helpful!! I have been into orchids for about 6 months now since I received one for my birthday. I was intimidated at first, especially after the poor thing died, but now I have become swept away by their beauty. I currently have 1 phal (had three total), three nobile dendrobiums and one cattleya. Most seem to be doing fine except for one of the dendrobiums that I purchased two weeks ago. I've noticed that the leaves are turning yellow and that tends to be normal. HOWEVER four out of seven of the canes are turning yellow and are soft from the bottom. There are blooms and several buds that are opening. I don't know about the roots at this point. I have a couple of pics which I will show after a few more posts. In meantime are there any ideas on what is going on?

[ALJ]

I also don't know the name of my dendrobium. I bought her without a tag from a grower in NJ.

Maybe I should also mention she has about seven keikis total.

[ALJ]

Is she trying to tell me something?

Photos to follow shortly.

[patticake]

Hi ALJ!!!! That's one way to get your 5 posts in! Good to have you with us, and looking forward to those pics.!

[ALJ]

What do you think?

[Orchidementia]

I'd guess more warmth and light. Mine is outside, getting near full sun and temps between 100 (last week) and 70 day ad 65-50 night.

But I could be wrong.

[articuno75]

You have a nobile type Dendrobium. Jerry Meola is a member on the forum and would be your better bet for advise. The canes that are changing color, are they still firm or are they getting mushier?

I had this happen to me.

[ALJ]

The yellow spot on the canes have become softer since yesterday. They're not quite what I would call "mushy" yet. I'm hoping I can save her.

[patticake]

Beautiful blooms! I'm not very knowledgeable on Dens. I only have 2!- and one is a mini! Hopefully one of our folks that grow them a lot will jump in! Jerry? Sandra?

[fred]

If the canes are starting to get soft the problem could be to much water.
have you been increased the watering due to the plant being in flower ?
I have also added the culture sheet from the AOS for more information for you.
AOS | Dendrobium

welcome to the forum.

[ALJ]

Thanks for the responses and culture sheet! I was told to water her when I first got her. I watered her again this past weekend. Should I lay off the water? I'll wait a couple of days before I water her again.

[made4engineering]

The most common killer of orchids is overwatering. It cause the roots to rot, and the stems to rot from the bottom up. Keep in mind that almost all orchids are epiphytic.

[jay]

First of all, Hello and welcome to the forum.


If you are noticing browning and the canes are getting soft or limp, then you might want to take a look at the roots. If the roots are brown and soft then they are rotting from overwatering and will need to be trimmed off. If they are green and firm then they are ok.

Keep in mind that if they are in bark then even healthy roots can look brown due to the coloration of the bark. Check the firmness of the roots to be sure. Let us know what you find so someone can advise further.

Thanks for the pictures, I like the flower.

[solay]

Welcome. Looks like you have at least 3 keikis on your bloom pic. Maybe later you will have more to make up for the canes you might lose. Hopefully you can stop the rot. Good Luck.

[ALJ]

Since she is still blooming, should I take her out of the medium completely to inspect the roots or should I wait until the blooms are finished? I'm really enjoying her purple color, but I guess if I need to sacrifice this bunch to save her then I'll do it.

I promised myself that I wouldn't overwater her. (I did that with the first two phals.) I thought since she is blooming that I should increase the frequency of waterings. I use a skewer but its kind of hard to tell if she needs water because of the medium.

[ALJ]

I'm waiting for the right time to pluck the little keikis. They'll keep me from buying more orchids. I went on a mini-orchid shopping spree for six months. I can't seem to keep my hands out of my purse.

[solay]

I think you and I have the same disease but that's O.K. we are orchid rich.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Your pictures are not good enough (bright and large would help). I think you need to have someone knowledgeable about orchids to look at your plant. If there are soft spots developing at the base of any of the canes, this is bad news and can be life threatening. Can you go on the internet and find an orchid society near you? If you can get a phone number for one of the officers, ask if someone can take a look at your plant. A little surgery early on can often save the plant if it is something serious.

[ALJ]

Thanks Cynthia for the advice. I called the supplier who sold her and they'll take a look at her this weekend. They even offered to replace her if necessary. I hope they can help her before its too late.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by ALJ

Should I lay off the water?

Beautiful blooms! Definitely ease way up on the water, mushy means imminent trouble!

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by ALJ

I'm waiting for the right time to pluck the little keikis. They'll keep me from buying more orchids.

No they won't....

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by ALJ

Maybe I should also mention she has about seven keikis total.

Many keikis usually means low light conditions.