dendrobium

[bjbillsmith]

We have had a dendrobium for five years and now we are seeing strange color to its leaves. They are shades of light and dark green except for the new growth. What's going on? It is hung under a tree in the Summer and receives partial shade and is watered twice a week unless it rains. We fertilize it once a week at half strength. What's going on...Thanks

[prisana]

Hi welcome to the forum.
Some of the dens I have did that too. In the beginning I thought it was virus, but those patterns only show up on leaves of older growths and they the plants still thrive and flower regulary so I don't think it's anything to worry about. It could just be because it gets moved from one location to the next too fast and couldn't adjust to the brighter light, even though it's not burning or getting red tint. Mine stopped doing that when I stopped moving them. Maybe someone else can pitch in with better advice. Good luck.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Have you used any neem oil since you got the plant? Does it look like this?
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/57062947/large ,
or this?
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/83452776/large .
Can't say for sure yet as I need more time to be sure, but I think this may be fungal infection after the plant was weakened with neem oil. I am currently using a systemic fungicide with or after the neem to see if the collection looks better after a time. Keeping the plants out of the heat and sun for a few days after the neem treatment didn't seem to prevent this.

[bjbillsmith]

Yep, that's what they look like. I have not used neem oil or any sprays. Thanks for the photos.