dendrobiums

[halloween]

my dendrobiums stem is shrivelling up i have no idea why?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

We really need a picture or more descriptive writing. Do you have a friend with a digital camera? Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[marypopins]

Originally Posted by halloween

my dendrobiums stem is shrivelling up i have no idea why?

The leaves on the stems grow fine, the middle of the stem looks like its shrivelled the top and bottom of the stems are fine, it doesn't need repotting the soil isn't kept moist and it gets plenty of light.
I will get a picture as soon as I can. I have tried everything but it hasn't helped the longer the stem is growing the more it shrivells.
I have a few new shoots coming up and I dont want the same to happen to them, because i dont think you can repair the problem but only prevent it from happening to the rest.
The stems are not getting any thicker but staying thin. these stems have not flowered yet.

I would be grateful for any advice.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

This shriveling, if it does not end in soft rotting tissue and the section above is alive, may be normal for the plant. Most Dens can take more water while growing. The canes are a water reservoir for the plant, and can swell and shrink with the season. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[halloween]

Thank You for your reply, i thought it might have something to do with the glass pot i have it in, because it has no draining holes, but i have a very loose substance,and polystyrine at the bottom. doe it really need draining holes i dont let it get water logged.
also it has about 5 new shoots growing on it does it need dividing maybe?

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Closed pots will result in salt build up, something that orchids really dislike. It kills roots if it goes too high. Figure out how to leach the pots out (run a ton of water thru) every so often.

If the new growths are coming from the bottom of the canes, fine. If they are sprouting on the sides of canes, these are keikis, baby plants in Hawaiian. I usually remove these to force better growth at the base of the plant. However, if your plant is growing well from the base, and you would like to multiply the number of these plants, you can leave some or all of the keikis on the plant. Eventually they will produce roots and you can remove them. For dividing, remember you must leave a minimum of 3 old canes on each division or you will cause the next growth to be too small. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[Lucinda Brown]

Hi Mary, Any plant [except waterplants] need drainage holes. If I were you, I'd transplant that denrobium right away into a pot with drainage holes. I like to use clear pots for orchids because it takes a lot of the guesswork out of watering. You can purchase them cheaply on the internet. They have really helped me stop overwatering.

[halloween]

The new shoots have leaves growing from them are these new growths or Keikis? they are growing off the bottom of the canes.
I shall change the pot to allow for drainage. Is rain water best or tap water?

[jerrymeola]

halloween

The new shoots are new growths as this is the normal growing pattern for most Dendrobiums.

Any stem over one year old can show what you are calling shriveling
it is a normal growth pattern for dens.

These older growths will often lose all their leaves but keep them on the plant. They are capable of flowering from bare canes.

Your trying to grow the plant in a glass jar was not too far off the mark. S/H (semi-hydroponic) growing uses this exact method to grow orchids, but it is done with holes on the side of the pot to allow air circulation over the roots. Dens can survive better than any other orchid without air over the roots but it is not a good method. I grow many in clay pots without side slits and so pot bound that air circulation can only be minimal. Clay does breath so your glass is not as good.

Your den sounds fine and I doubt if the glass jar has done any damage.

[halloween]

thank you for your reply Jerrymeola.