Help with my Dend... a lot of problems? - Orchid Board

christinalkc · #1 11-03-2009, 03:47 PM

Hi...

My husband bought me a Dendrobium Orchid back in August and it was gorgeous. I have no idea about flowers/gardening so I thought I let that be my first try.

Then the flowers started to fall off and I did not cut the stem. I continued to water the orchid by putting in a water bath once a week. The orchid was potted in sphagnum moss.

Two weeks ago, I realized a couple of the leaves turned yellow and had a black spot in the middle. I guess it was root rot, so I removed the orchid from the medium which was moist, and checked the roots. Well, they were brown and some where green and some white. I removed the brown ones (90%) and as a result very little white and green roots left and they were so short.

I went to Wal-mart and got some Miracle-Gro orchid mix (I had no idea what to get, I wished I got more assistance from them) I repotted my orchid but it is a little wobbly since the root system is very short and not enough support.

I left the pot near the window and a few days ago, I left the blinds opened and got some direct sunlight and I forgot about removing the orchid from there. Today, I noticed a black spot on the edge on one of the leaves where it was exposed to the sun. Is that sun-burn or something else? I have attached pictures and the medium looked a little moist because I just put the pot in a water bath for 15 mins.

Please advice... I really want my orchid to grow... Thank you so much for helping this gardening newbie!

Cheers... from Charlotte, North Carolina

Donald · #2 11-03-2009, 04:53 PM

I wouldn't be to concerned about the burnt leaf. Dendrobiums do not like to be kept wet. It takes time for the root system to get established. They need to dry out somewhat between waterings. You may want to get an orchid mix without the fertilizer incorporated in it. Just a marketing tool as far as I'm concerned. Plain bark mix with some large perlite or lava rock works for me. I'm guessing, but your orchid looks like a phalenopsis type. Some like very little water during the winter. Others are watered differently. Did it have a tag? Any signs of old stem growth from either between the leaves or directly from the top of the plant? Have some patience. Other people will chime in and listen to it all.

stefpix · #3 11-03-2009, 05:08 PM

Miracle Gro is not a mix for epiphyte orchids. It is mostly peat moss with a little bark. maybe it can be Ok for terrestrial orchids or african violets...
the bark looked better.
At Lowes they have AOS endorsed Better Gro mixes that are real bark + coal + perlite. no peat moss

christinalkc · #4 11-03-2009, 05:14 PM

Yes, it does come with a tag. It says : Dendrobium (World Cup No. 2) My husband bought it from IKEA. I have attached a picture of how it looked like a few days after he brought it home, to give you a better idea of the species. I have no clue at all.

The last time I watered my orchid was when I changed the medium, 8-9 days ago. Today, I stuck my finger into the mix and it was very dry so I thought of watering it. It's pretty warm (75) and dry here today, so the pot is sitting outside, behind the pillar (shaded) Hopefully, some of the moisture will be dried out. I usually keep the pot inside and we have the heat on from time to time. (about 72 degrees)

I didn't see any new growth (yet) but there is a new shoot coming out at the bottom. I saw that when I was changing the medium.

I did think of getting a plain orchid mix or something but perhaps I will give this mix a try and see how it works. It has only been 8-9 days.

Patience is the key I guess.. Thanks so much for replying!!

Cheers.

christinalkc · #5 11-03-2009, 05:19 PM

Really? Oh no!! What am I going to do with the big bag? I hope I can return it!

Cheers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefpix

Miracle Gro is not a mix for epiphyte orchids. It is mostly peat moss with a little bark. maybe it can be Ok for terrestrial orchids or african violets...
the bark looked better.
At Lowes they have AOS endorsed Better Gro mixes that are real bark + coal + perlite. no peat moss

Orchid126 · #6 11-03-2009, 06:21 PM

Miracle Gro makes a potting mix for houseplants and one for orchids. If you have the one for orchids, you're okay.

Donald · #7 11-03-2009, 07:06 PM

Because Miracle Gro says it's for orchids that's a generalization and it's marketing. Don't use it for your "dens". stefpix is right.

stefpix · #8 11-03-2009, 07:25 PM

The only orchids the Miracle Gro orchid mix is good for is probably Bletillas and Phaius. it is soil for ground plants with a little fine bark. use it on your epiphytic orchids and the roots will rot.
Better Gro orchid mix is for epiphyte orchids.

christinalkc · #9 11-04-2009, 12:18 AM

Should I wait a little bit to see how this orchid mix work or should I change the medium immediately???? Thanks...

Cheers..

Donald · #10 11-04-2009, 08:16 AM

The problem with that mix is that it is to dense for dendrobiums and retains moisture for a long time. Dendrobiums do not like "wet feet". It may work out OK for some moisture loving orchids but not for yours. I guess you could mix in some perlite or even try packing peanuts...........the ones that don't melt in water. If you find that the mixture drys out in 5 to 7 days you might be OK. The roots should not be tightly packed in that mix.