Dendrobium Disaster......

[Bolero]

Hi,

I have an Australian native hybrid plant which has been growing profusely over summer creating several new growths. I was watering daily during the hot weather but not watering too much (the plants dried out pretty quickly in 40C anyway).

My problem is with the new growths, all of them have somehow been damaged (not mechanical) about half way up. All these beautiful new growths have gone mushy at exactly the same spot half way up the new canes. The existing canes are untouches.

I can't see why this has happened, I suspect something is eating them but can imagine what it could be. Any thought? I have to cut the whole canes off, very disappointing and it's happened to every single new cane.

I should post a photo but at this stage I haven't taken any.

[kmarch]

Hmmm, interesting...I've had a very similar thing happen on 3 of my new tetragonum growths. I also will be interested to hear what the cause might be.

[fred]

I have the thought that some water has stayed there causing the damage
the only other time I have seen this is at my friends orchid nursery and its been because of water.
the water has rolled down into the new growths and not had a chance to roll out fully and its basically boiled the new growths

how to stop this happening again is a good question
a light misting early mornings and evenings with the really hot weather

its hard with den new growths on my Den speciosum I dont water the new growths at all
I have new growths just starting to form leaves to smaller and all are healthy
but I must also quickly say we have not had it as hot and the mainland

[brookn]

That's funny Fred, must be ESP, as I opened this and read it I was going to suggest the same thing. As it's not on the old growth at all, it makes sense.

[fred]

ESP works well brookn
great minds think alike
without going off topic I have seen the same thing with Cymbidiums

it can happen so easily and with this barmy weather I play the safe game

[brookn]

Our temps get in the 100F range most every summer. I have seen lots of boiled plants, not necessarily orchids, but the effect is still basically the same lol. I've also seen a lot of frozen plants, especially lately. Good luck with your plants gentlemen, maybe Fred and I are on to something here. Fred, great minds absolutely do think alike hee hee!

[Ron]

Hi Bolero.

All these beautiful new growths have gone mushy at exactly the same spot half way up the new canes. The existing canes are untouches.

Sorry to hear about the problem.
Often the cause can be caused by the sheath at the base of the top part of the stem were the leaves open and form from.
speciosum in the breeding is the culprit, it passes on this sheath like structure that traps water and causes the top to rot out.
I usually peel this back as the growth sets so as not to allow the water to get in and rot the growth.

Other problem can be the Dendrobium beetle laying its eggs in the side of the new growth and the larvae eating out the inside of the growth!

What ever is happening it is a tragic to see all the flower potential being ruined.
A photo would be nice as to see what is happening.
Good Luck
Ron

[digitalgate]

how about rotten ? Squirrel ? cat? bird?

[Bolero]

That makes sense Fred, it looks like they could have been boiled. First time I've seen this so it will be a challenge next summer if we get hot weather like that again.

Thanks for the information, the all makes sense.