epidendrum orchid - New growth stopped growing and the tops are black

[natenzontanos22]

my epidendrum orchid as a few new growths that have stopped growing and the tops are black. No water rot has happened and the rest of the cane is healthy

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board. That can happen from sunburn, and also from insufficient water while making new growth.

[Waterdog111]

It is my two cents that the scarcity of water during growth is the culprit more than most of us may realize. It is very easy to happen when we are trying not to overwater.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Waterdog111

It is my two cents that the scarcity of water during growth is the culprit more than most of us may realize. It is very easy to happen when we are trying not to overwater.

One of the best ways to avoid that issue begins with the understanding that the problems associated with "overwatering" are related more to the choice of potting medium than it is to the water, itself.

Use a substrate that is more open and airy, and that has voids large enough that they cannot fully hold water and you'll never have the root-suffocating issues that "overwatering" brings.

[Waterdog111]

A lot of my pots now have lava rock in them. Ive only found it a good idea to change back a few to other media.