Phal type dendrobium question

[brazilianfernie]

Hi everyone!
I have a phal type den. After the flower spike is gone and cut away, do those canes usually die after flowering for these types of chids? The canes and leaves on my plant are turning yellow and shriveling. Although, it is putting out a few new canes as these deteriorate. Thanks for any info you can give me, let me know if you'd like a pic.

[Phalkiller]

Good Day!

A pic is very usefull in helping to diagnose your problem. I've had mine for about two yrs now and i have never cut my flower spikes because i don't want to introduce any pathogens to the plant such as bateria, fungi, and or viruses. My canes that flowered last year still has all its leaves so it might be a good idea to see how the roots are doing. How often do you water them? How much light are you giving your den? Its ok for the older canes to shrivel up but as far as yellowing, this has not happened to me. Please let us know how you have been careing for it and someone with more experience will be along to help you. There is a culture sheet here, look up dendriobium culture sheet on the search tab.

[-k-]

Typically the canes do not yellow though slight shriveling may occur after the bloom cycle is complete but certainly does not die off.
I cut the flower spike off completely as well without issue... If you have new canes developing that's a good sign, but pictures will help in figuring out what else may be going on with you orchid.

[brazilianfernie]

ok here is a pic,


i have it in better gro orchid mix, watered once a week with the rest of my chids, the roots were a bit dry when i purchased it but it is starting to grow green new roots. I have it in a grow closet with the rest of my chids under 2 2 foot long t5 lights. All of my chids are thriving under these conditions. Should I water the den a bit more often than once a week?

[-k-]

Doesn't look too bad, the canes ae still green which is good and I see new roots accompanying the new canes
The yellowing leaf may not be something to be overly concerned about... yet! Just keep watchful eye on it...
It does appear to be a bit dehydrated ... but watering should be dictated by your growing conditions, I would recommend using the skewer method to help with watering schedule until you get it nailed down and know what the plant needs and when it needs it!

[koshki]

I was expecting something completely yellow!

No, your plant looks good to me. They normally lose the leaves on the canes after the first flowering, but can continue to bloom from further down the canes a few more times. You're also getting at least a couple new canes, so that's great! You could end up with quite a show when it's all in bloom!

The canes are a little shriveley, but not too bad. You could try to up the water. That kind of bark makes me nervous, though, as I've found out it can break down quickly with wet conditions.

BTW, do you have air circulation in your grow closet?

[brazilianfernie]

Hi, yes, I have a fan that is oscillating around all the plants. Seems like they are getting good circulation. Temps have been around 85, we have been getting temps in the high 80's to 90s and super high humidity here in the northeast all summer so the plants have all been loving it. Temps are finally starting to cool off at night, we are getting to the 60s.

I will definitely up the water, maybe to twice a week instead of once. I was just worried about the yellowing at the nodes on the canes, they are something new. As long as it is healthy, i am happy!

The bark is new, I just bought the chid last month and repotted it immediately. I will keep an eye on it. It is sprouting new roots and canes, i was just worried about the yellowing as there are a few leaves that are starting to turn yellow too.

thanks everyone!

[-k-]

Just curious... why not put it outdoors while the temps and humidity are nice, I mean it's truely a matter of choice but my phal type dendros are lovin being outdoors that they are even spiking again...

[brazilianfernie]

Originally Posted by -k-

Just curious... why not put it outdoors while the temps and humidity are nice, I mean it's truely a matter of choice but my phal type dendros are lovin being outdoors that they are even spiking again...

i would so love to put them outdoors, but I live in a rented apartment with tenants below me that have kids that like to touch everything out in the yard! there's not really any good places to put them where they would be undisturbed.

[11Orchid126]

Whatever you do, don't cut the bare canes. Not only do they continue to support the plant, but they can bloom again.

[-k-]

Originally Posted by brazilianfernie

i would so love to put them outdoors, but I live in a rented apartment with tenants below me that have kids that like to touch everything out in the yard! there's not really any good places to put them where they would be undisturbed.

Ahh... yeah that's a bummer though a smart move! your explaination kind of reminds me of Dennis the menace and good ol Mr. Wilson... always trying to grow orchids and having them ruined by Dennis

[brazilianfernie]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

Whatever you do, don't cut the bare canes. Not only do they continue to support the plant, but they can bloom again.

thanks, glad you told me because I probably wouldve cut them once they started looking bad. It already had some canes that were cut on it before i purchased it, you can see the bare stumps at the base where the old canes used to be. thanks!

[11Orchid126]

Only cut an old cane if it dries up and shrivels to nothing or gets mushy.

[neworchid555]

if that plant is in bad shape then i am embarrassed to post any more pictures of my plant!

[orchidea]

I wouldn't water hard cane dens more than ones a week. They like to dry up. Sometimes weeks go by when I finally have time to water this type dens, because I have many seedlings and Ctsms that drink water like there is no tomorrow..........so they are my priority during the summer. My dens are standing there bone dry for weeks and blooming like crazy......They get watered when I have time....
I would do what -K- is suggesting and use the skewer method to check for wetness inside the pot. The medium you are using retains a lot of water, so the roots will rot if they have too much water close to them.
The yellowing of the leaves could indicate the older roots rotting. I am not saying that's what is happening, but I am just suggesting to check the wetness inside befor you go to 2 times a week watering schedule..... That's just my 2 cents into that........