Is This Den OK?

[kathleen]

My new, first, and only Den has three canes. A fourth cane was cut back level with the mix by the grower. One of the three remaining canes seems to be in distress. All the leaves appear to be folding inward along the midline; they are getting paler and paler, and one has turned yellow. Two are browning and getting papery-looking at the tips. This cane also has some black spots on it. In spite of all this, it looks as though a tiny, new leaf is sprouting between two of the "sad" leaves. The planting medium is volcanic cinders. I have watered twice; once a week ago last Sunday, when I got it, and once in the middle of last week. Also, it appears that a little new cane is forming at the base of one of the other canes; does this indicate the plant is doing OK overall? I hope I have given enough info to get feedback and advice. Thank you.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Your plant sounds perfectly normal. Dendrobiums don't hold their leaves very long. Typical is two years, with some that hold them one or three years, and rarely are any evergreen. This is the usual time to lose leaves as they are getting ready to go thru winter. As long as your plant is growing, you can water before the plant is completely dry. Once the last leaves mature on the new growths, and there are no new growths, it is time to let the plant dry out a bit between waterings. Sounds like that won't be for awhile with your plant. The little leaves starting on the side of a cane sound like a keiki is beginning to form. Let it grow until it has its own roots a few inches long, then take it off and pot it up. Or, if you don't really want a second plant of this Dendrobium, you could remove the kieki now and toss it before the plant invests much energy into it, and the extra energy will go into the normal new growth at the base of the plant. Cynthia

[jerrymeola]

I have over a thousand dens that look just like yours. This is normal growth. This week they look poor as leaves fall and next month they will look great. It is a normal cycle.

Where do you live? What kind of light do you have the den in?