Dendrobium leaves not growing…help!

[Ingrid76]

Hey Everyone,

This is my first time posting, but I have to admit, I’m a frequent visitor to this board. Your knowledge has been extremely helpful in answering many of my questions, so I’m sure your advice for my current dilemma will be invaluable.

My Den (not sure of the species) is not growing new leaves. I’m not sure if it needs more light, humidity, or if this species doesn’t grow more. I have noticed from the keikis that have sprouted, that they only grow larger without continuing to add additional leaves. Is there a way to encourage new leaf growth? I have lost most of the leaves to sunburn. My apartment windows are all west facing (I use sheer curtains now to combat afternoon sun).

Another reason for my concern is recently I had to repot due to a mold infection. The roots were ok, but I had seen them in better shape. I sprayed them with hydrogen peroxide and cinnamon. It’s been a week since the repotting and everything looks ok, but I’m eager to see new growth both in the roots and leaves. Any suggestions???

Thanks

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Do you have pics?

As a general note, some orchids are very slow growing. And others grow faster, but they still take time.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Ingrid76

Hey Everyone,

This is my first time posting, but I have to admit, I’m a frequent visitor to this board. Your knowledge has been extremely helpful in answering many of my questions, so I’m sure your advice for my current dilemma will be invaluable.

My Den (not sure of the species) is not growing new leaves. I’m not sure if it needs more light, humidity, or if this species doesn’t grow more. I have noticed from the keikis that have sprouted, that they only grow larger without continuing to add additional leaves. Is there a way to encourage new leaf growth? I have lost most of the leaves to sunburn. My apartment windows are all west facing (I use sheer curtains now to combat afternoon sun).

Another reason for my concern is recently I had to repot due to a mold infection. The roots were ok, but I had seen them in better shape. I sprayed them with hydrogen peroxide and cinnamon. It’s been a week since the repotting and everything looks ok, but I’m eager to see new growth both in the roots and leaves. Any suggestions???

Thanks

Hello and welcome to Orchid Board. It is hard to diagnose and make suggestions without knowing what type of Den. you have, but I noticed that you reside in Gainsville so I'll try to give you some general ideas based on what I think you have. I'm no expert, but here goes.

The first part...I'm going to assume you have a warm growing Phal. type Dendrobium. This type blooms from the top of plant and NOT from each node along the cane.

Next...Sunburn. A bad one can really set back the health of a plant. You mentioned that you're leaves dropped so the exposure was probably pretty bad. The leafless canes will not make new leaves but...IMPORTANT: DO NOT REMOVE ANY CANES. Existing canes, even when leafless and shriveled, provide energy to the plant and it's crucial to keep them even if they're ugly. A cane should never be removed until it's completely shriveled and yellow/brown in appearance...not even from a healthy dendrobium.

Next...Kieki Growth and roots: This is where a photo would be helpful. If you're seeing new growth along the upper part of the cane, then it is a kieki. If the growth is sprouting from the base it is probably new cane development and this is a GOOD thing. The old cane/canes will not produce new roots, but the new canes will. Sometimes they're several inches tall before exhibiting roots. CAUTION: Don't overwater. New roots will rot if they have constant contact with moisture. A well draining potting medium is important too. There are alot of recipes out there, but I prefer 3 parts med. sized coconut husk chunks or tree bark, 1 part pearlite or aerolite, and 1 part charcoal. The medium should be soaked well before planting. You've already repotted so this is just a general guide.

Sun Exposure: You're Dend. has gone through multiple shocks...sunburn, disease, and repotting. It's trying to recover so be careful with lighting. Dappled eastern exposure or late afternoon dappled southern exposure will probably suffice for now. As the plant recovers you can gradually increase sun exposure, but don't expose her to any direct mid-day sun. I recommend adjustable blinds for your west window. You can adjust them to allow slivers of light to come through creating a dappled effect. Start with less and gradually increase. If grown indoors, I also recommend placing a dish of moist pebbles beneath the plant. This will help to raise the humidity level that is robbed by air conditioning. You'll want to provide warmth, humidity and good air circulation. Humans prefer air conditioning, but Phal. Dendrobiums prefer warmth and humidity. It's a conflict of interests, but what are you gonna do??? It should be a little warmer near the west window, so this should help.

It may take some time for your plant to fully recover and resume bloom production. If everything goes well you might see some blooms this time next year or...it might take another year. Be patient and don't give up. Orchids are amazingly resilient. Good Luck!

[Ingrid76]

Thank you so much. Here are some pictures from when my dend was healthy and now. I had not looked at these pictures in some time and I did not realize how emaciated it had become. Thanks for clarify my terms; canes were sprouting from the base of the orchid not keikis.

The first pics are when the orchid was health, the last four are now.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

What you have is most likely a Dendrobium hybrid (especially if you bought this in places that aren't specialty orchid nurseries).

The oldest cane on your Den will not grow any taller. That's it. That's as tall as that one gets.

Leaves from the older cane fell off naturally. The shriveling you're getting is from the older cane providing nutrients for the two newer growths.

Newer growths will tend to be spindly, but will plump up with age. According to the pics of the Den when you first purchased it, they were grown too dark. Evidence for this is that the leaves were dark green. The pics of the Den now, show adequate lighting for them as they are a light green color.

Overall, I think it's alright.

You had a flower spike coming out of the plant when you first purchased it. Did you take pictures of the flowers when it was in bloom? I saw a flower in the top left corner of the first pic.

[Ingrid76]

Here are pics when it was in bloom

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Ingrid76

Thank you so much. Here are some pictures from when my dend was healthy and now. I had not looked at these pictures in some time and I did not realize how emaciated it had become. Thanks for clarify my terms; canes were sprouting from the base of the orchid not keikis.

The first pics are when the orchid was health, the last four are now.

Hey, that plant doesn't look bad. It's growing new canes and that's a wonderful thing. Another thing I wanted to mention. It's not unusual for a mature (older) cane to loose some or all of it's leaves. After 2 or 3 years a mature cane is usually naked. Keep that cane though cause it's important. In my earlier days of orchid growing I would purchase non-blooming sick plants that were reduced. On OB we call those rescue plants. Anyway that's how I got my first Dendrobiums. I'd repot them and cut those old nasty looking canes off. Whew, I wish I hadn't done that, but I didn't know better at the time. By doing so I took away all of their energy reserve and those poor plants are still recovering.

It looks like you're plant is recovering nicely. Good Job!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Definitely a hybrid. It is a Dendrobium phalaenopsis type hybrid. The dominant traits belong to the species Dendrobium phalaenopsis (aka Den bigibum).

These shouldn't give you too much of a hard time. At least with these you don't have to deal with dormancy periods and it becoming fully deciduous.