Request for Help

[New to Orchids]

I recently received a denrobium orchid.

Its blooms have begun to fall off - one by one from the futhest point from the stalk. The remaining blooms appear to be wilted but not dry. The sad blooms still have good color. The plant is cool to the touch.

I cannot tell if I need to place the orchid in more light - or whether I have drowned it and I should repot - or whether I have mistreated it - in another way entirely.

I would appreciate any help. Thanks.

[Tobi]

Hi New to Orchids and welcome to the forum. It would be helpful please if you
update your profile and tell us when you are from and if you have a tag on
your Dendrobium, give us the name as there are different types of Dens.
It is normal for the flowers to fade and die off from the earliest blooms
(furthest from the top) if it has been in bloom for a while. Usually Dens.
require bright light, an east or west window or a filtered south window.
Can you post a picture of your orchid? It would also be helpful.

[Ellen]

Tobi is right that it's normally the oldest blooms that fall off first. From your description, it sounds like it was the newest ones on your dendrobium. This sounds like stress from bringing the plant into a new environment. Once it adjusts to your conditions and flowers again, everything should be fine. This is not uncommon when purchasing a greenhouse-grown plant and bringing it into the home environment. --- having said this, I'll second the suggestion that a picture would be very helpful in diagnosing what is going on with your plant.

[fred]

Hi new to orchids
welcome to the forum
I hope that you enjoy your stay here with us.
We have heaps of knowledge here with the awesome members and also within the forum.

A picture of you orchid would be great

here is a link with the culture sheet from the AOS click the link and select Dendrobium.

http://www.aos.org/aos/orchids/page01.aspx

happy chatting

[New to Orchids]

Thanks for responding....
Here are pictures of my sad orchid and its most visible root

[Tobi]

You have a Phalaenanthe type Dendrobium. They require intermediate to warm
temperatures all year round. From what I can tell the leaves and roots look very
healthy from your pictures. My guess is that the blooms have just run their
course of flowering. I would cut off the flower spike about 1/2 inch from the base and repot. Check the root system to make sure you have good white
roots. Remove any that are black and/or mushy. Follow the culture advice
from the link that Fred supplied. If you need any additional help in regards
to repotting or culture care, please ask.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I don't think I would disturb the roots just now. Wait for spring when you see a new growth starting at the base. You may want to remove some of the excess bark from the top of the pot. You should be able to just see where the bulbs are all connected together. From now until new growth starts in the spring, you should let the potting mix dry out very well between waterings.

[Ellen]

What Cynthia says! Leave it alone for now.

[New to Orchids]

Thanks everyone!