Too Little, Too Late?

[Mevv]

Sorry again for bringing this thread up but it looks like my orchids are being picky again and could use some helpfull advice.

My poor Den. draconis passed on. As mentioned it already was dead and no thanks to these creepy worms with black heads that ate though its main root!

My problem now is the Den Chyrsotoxum. At first I thought it was alright but I decided to get better potting soil as instructed and repot them for the second time in three months

The Chyrsotuxum did in fact have around four rotted roots but thanksfully had grown a few as well. After repotting the two orchids I didn't water for four days. Since they are small plants I thought it wouldn't hurt to water them sooner than the 5-7 average. However when coming home that night after work the orchid had yellow leaves!

Need some help understanding what is wrong with it. Was thinking it couldn't be sunlight since it was in the window four days with no problems untill watering it. I closed the blinds completely just in case it was but the leaves show no sign of returning green. Was it from me watering it early, the light or something else?

[Mevv]

Here are some pictures that might help.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Old leaves die back naturally.

The black headed caterpillars are fungus gnat larvae.

If you need to buy small pots, Michael's (the arts and crafts store) carries small terra cotta pots.

[Mevv]

^^ thank you so much for always coming back to my thread. You realy have helped me out alot.

you're completely right, after I changed the soil and placed the two of them in smaller pots I've seen no other bugs around. The leaves conserned me though cause of hearing that plant was an evergreen orchid and they kept their leaves. but it could be that.

Thanks again!

[orchidsamore]

you have a problem trying to grow seedlings this small as a newbie.

I am a commercial grower and I lose 15% of my seedlings this size with the best of care. For me it is just a business expense. For you it is frustration if you blame yourself for the losses.

If your plants are in 3-4 inch pots they are way over potted but if they are the tall 2 1/2 inch pots then you should not be buying plants this small as a newbie.

Formosa type Dendrobium are very difficult to grow. This is a problem when you buy from a photograph. This is even more true with species. Even if you keep them alive they are notoriously hard to flower. Temperature and water are critical to their care. Some Hawaiian growers do well with these, but for an example I do not know a single Floridian nursery that tries to raise these.

No one told you that species Dens take 5-7 years to flower unlike den-Phal hybrids that bloom in 18 months.

Next time you are buying plants ask advice about the types you are considering and many people on the forum will be happy to share with you their experience.