Den help, please - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 03-20-2009, 06:51 PM

Hi,
I bought an orchid at Lowes today labeled "Dendrobium Aridang Green" (pic attached). There's a black area on one of the canes that I didn't notice until I got home and repotted it. I don't know what this is, so do you think it's anything for me to be concerned about....or is it just a normal characteristic of some Dens?
Thanks in advance,
Vicki

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 03-20-2009, 07:14 PM

Can you check to see if it's mushy?

VickiC · #3 03-20-2009, 07:48 PM

Oh yes, I did check for mushiness before I posted my question, but just forgot to include what I noticed. My mistake. I don't know den canes well, but it seemed as if the dark area was on a kind of "sheath" (for lack of the correct word).....and that thin paper-type sheath/layer was just a tad "mushy".....once again, for lack of the proper word. The actual cane underneath was firm. What are your thoughts?
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Can you check to see if it's mushy?

VickiC · #4 03-20-2009, 08:01 PM

King, I looked at the paper-type layer over the cane again, and it is the lower part of a leaf attached to the cane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiC

Oh yes, I did check for mushiness before I posted my question, but just forgot to include what I noticed. My mistake. I don't know den canes well, but it seemed as if the dark area was on a kind of "sheath" (for lack of the correct word).....and that thin paper-type sheath/layer was just a tad "mushy".....once again, for lack of the proper word. The actual cane underneath was firm. What are your thoughts?
Vicki

camille1585 · #5 03-20-2009, 08:16 PM

I have a den with one or two spots like that. They've been there forever, and never get any bigger or smaller. But it's hard to tell in your case. Maybe just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't spread or get mushy?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 03-20-2009, 08:28 PM

I second Camille's thoughts.

Sandy4453 · #7 03-20-2009, 08:46 PM

Vicki, I don't like that spot, sorry. While it may not spread, it also, just might and if it does, you can lose the whole plant. Why don't you just treat it and hopefully prevent any spread? If you've got a clean blade or you can sterilize a knife and cut away (hopefully, it's not too deep) then treat the cut with hydrogen peroxide, sparingly. If you choose to do this, keep that psbulb DRY and away from bright light for about 2 weeks.

A couple of years ago, I noticed a black spot (similar to yours) on one of my Catts and the next morning, every bulb was rotted, mushy...never had that happen before, never since. I always treat immediately at the first sign of something like this.

Good luck!

VickiC · #8 03-20-2009, 11:24 PM

Thanks for your help, everyone!

I was just curious if the dark area was only on the leaf attached to the cane and not underneath on the cane itself, so I pulled the leaf off. There was no dark spot on the cane. I attached a pic.

Just thought I'd let you know.

Thanks again!
Vicki

camille1585 · #9 03-21-2009, 08:31 AM

That's good to know Vicki, you must be so relieved! I love it when there's an easy fix to a problem!