Whats wrong with my Dendrobium Phalaenopsis?

[yorkie]

I have a new dendrobium phalaenopsis and the leaves are starting to go brown from the bottom one up? I don't know what to do!!!!

[mayres]

Part of the normal process is for them to drop (brown) a bottom leaf or two and grow another leaf or two - maintaining the approximate number of total leaves (once semi-mature). Unless you have other symptoms that you have not described you may be describing a normal process.

[jerrymeola]

Your leaf lose is probably natural. I use as a general rule that all leaves on dendrobiums die within two years (not true but close enough to make be feel better).

With all orchids you should be concerned with the new growth and less concerned about the old leaves that die naturally.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Mike, are you confusing a Dendrobium phalaenopsis with a Phalaenopsis? Leaf loss on Dens always starts on a mature cane, atleast from what I can remember. Yorkie, like Jerry says, most Dens don't hold their leaves very long. Cynthia

[mayres]

Yep - you are absolutely correct (as usual). I believe my Emma White is this type of orchid - very normal for leaves to yellow, brown and fall off of mature canes and then often are left with just a few green leaves up near the top. Meanwhile new canes grow up with the full complement bottom to top and flower and then the cycle repeats itself. The pot has a complement of canes with just a couple leaves each and a cane with half its leaves and a cane with all its leaves. :-)