How to deal with Orchid stress

[Corrine]

Hey all,

I just bought my first Dendrobium from Lowe's last week. I re potted it and discovered two separate plants. One of the plants is doing just fine. The other is having a tough time adjusting. Not knowing as much about Dendrobiums, I am not sure the best way to de-stress the poor thing. It was looking a little yellow when I bought it, but if I remember correctly, the healthier of the two looked more yellow at the time. The roots for both looked good. I have moved the stressed plant into a window with less light, hoping that will help it recover. I'm adding two pics. One of the yellowed leaves, another of the roots. Any suggestions?


I also have a phal whose leaves are looking like it's over watered- or really like it's re-absorbing nutrients from them. It spiked and was very happy with big beautiful blooms that lasted for months (maybe 3?). It starting looking sad after it pushed itself (literally) off the window ledge, onto the floor. It continued to bloom and now is pregnant, and it's starting new growth on a current spike. It's roots are fat and happy, so I'm not sure why 3 of it's 4 leaves are spongy and seemingly dying.

Good new, I discovered 2 keikis on a my Dtps.


Pics should be in order of plants. It's my first time to add them, so bear with me.

Thanks!

Corrine

[articuno75]

For the Den. The spagh is probably rotting the roots. What is your watering schedule for this plant by chance? I suggest repotting the plant into a bark mixture, watering only when the bark dries out a bit. Dens don't like to stay wet constantly.

As for the Phal, it's looks dehydrated. How long has this Phal been in the spagh? If you've had this one for a while (6 months+) and it's been in the spagh this whole time, it's probably due for a repot. I would check the root system. If it has a bad root system then it's not getting water therefore causing the dehydration.

[christinek]

My experience with Phals has always been the same.. They love indirect light.. or morning light and afternoon shade.. And watered when close to being completely dry.. Or actually completely dried out and then give a good watering.. The spagnum moss you have it in looks fairly new.. The plant could perhaps only be in shock after the fall.. But I have had a phal's leaves do this to me one time.. And it was when I didn't water for some time after the plant was completely dried out. The sad part was that the leaves eventually turned yellow and then fell off the plant completely. But new leaves replaced them and the plant revived. I guess i'm telling you this so you can be prepared in the event this happens to you. I wish you luck with your phal (your baby)

Christine

[Corrine]

The den is only a week from the store. The roots were all green and healthy. I know most people here hate moss, but I have had very good luck with is. I recently tried to convert to a bark mix from the store, and then after seeing all of the water drain out of them each time I did water, I switched back to a medium to course bark for the very bottom and moss for the rest. Each of my plants were repotted last week, back into the moss. As for the phal, I try to keep the moss moist, but not wet. The moss dries out pretty fast here and I mist them almost daily to keep them moist. Then I give them a good watering every few weeks or so. I will keep in mind that dens like to be on the drier side.

[Corrine]

Maybe the phal is putting all of it's energy into the seed pod. I removed the remaining blooms, but like I said before, it's still intent and is continuing to spike.

BTW, thanks for the replies

[brookn]

You would be surprised how dry my moss gets before I water my plants that are in it. The state of the leaves on the Phal. suggests root loss. I would pour peroxide full strength down into the medium, and then hose the plant with cinnamon spray. IMHO it needs to dry a little. The Dend. mine like to be dry, they are outside, and for the most part in bark. I do have one in s/h (there is a forum here you can read all about it), and it is practically reviving from the dead. I have another in s/h that is doing iffy at best. The ones I have in bark outside get watered every day, and are dry by the time I water them again. The plant will tell you what medium it likes best. Your Dend. does not look all that unhappy. Leaves fall off of these, it's just the way it is. The roots look like they could benefit from some peroxide also. Let this plant dry fully before watering it again, and it is probably not necessary to move it from the light. What damage has been done to it was probably done before you got it. Here are some links for you to check out:

AOS | Dendrobium

AOS | Phalaenopsis

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...f-orchids.html

Welcome to the forum!

[kmarch]

Corrine,

There's only one way to deal with orchid stress: give the orchid the growing conditions it is expecting. Orchids get stressed because they have not been receiving the cultural conditions they want. The only way to reverse that is to start prividing the conditions they want. If you have not already done so, go to AOS | Home and get the culture sheets for Dendrobiums and Phals. Give them both a read and let us know if you have any questions.

[kmarch]

We're both posting at the same time again brookn. Keep up the good work!

[brookn]

Thanks Kevin! Great minds and all !

[Corrine]

Thanks everyone, I will take a look at those posts

[CAWood]

Brookn, would you please define how much cinnamon to water in the spray

Originally Posted by brookn

I would pour peroxide full strength down into the medium, and then hose the plant with cinnamon spray.

Clarence

[brookn]

The Best Stuff Ever!!!

This is a link for all kinds of recipes.

1tsp.cinnamon extract
6 drops dishdoap
1 qt. water

I don't measure it so much as add a dash here, some drops there...I tweak it to what I am using it on, or what I am using it for...

[MrsConnie]

hehehe. Hey Corrine, my name is Corrine too but people call me Connie ..sorry, off topic I know xxx

[fred]

lol behave yourself MissConnie ( only kidding )

good advice brookn and Kevin

[Earthsong]

Originally Posted by brookn

I would pour peroxide full strength down into the medium, and then hose the plant with cinnamon spray.

I have read to use peroxide at 3%, but have only been able to buy at 6% -is this safe to use as is, or do I dilute somewhat Thank you

[brookn]

You can dilute it with water. I am not sure about using 6% full strength, perhaps someone else would know.

[Earthsong]

Thank you - I am also having trouble getting cinnamon extract (supermarket thought I was mad for asking)... Can essential oil be used? If not, can you explain what is the difference between essential oil and extract? Thanks again.

[brookn]

Well, I have both, and I find the essential oil to be much thicker. If if is 100% real cinnamon, I say go for it, but perhaps start at half strength in the recipe because of the difference in them.

[Earthsong]

Many thanks... Now I find myself wondering if the cinnamon spray, (not the peroxide) might work as an organic fleaspray too -my 14yr old dog is allergic to everything on the market!!

[fred]

Earthsong please keep the Orchid Care Cultivation section on just that.
if you have non related questions please use our General Chat Section.
these specific sections are about orchids not Dogs please try to keep things about orchids.
thank you kindly

[brookn]

Fred I'm gonna respond real quick to save the dog some discomfort. Cinnamon might burn the skin. Try lemongrass, rosemary, orange oil or a combination. Sorry and back to topic.

[FLaCo]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Corrine,

There's only one way to deal with orchid stress: give the orchid the growing conditions it is expecting. Orchids get stressed because they have not been receiving the cultural conditions they want. The only way to reverse that is to start prividing the conditions they want. If you have not already done so, go to AOS | Home and get the culture sheets for Dendrobiums and Phals. Give them both a read and let us know if you have any questions.

That is great advice. You deal with plant stress by having a strong/healthy plant. It is better to begin working on having a strong throughout the year than waiting and treat things by situational means.