More Dendrobium Problems - Orchid Board

Becca · #1 07-20-2007, 06:51 PM

A while back ago I posted a thread on here about a dendrobium I received and the leaves turning a spotted yellow and then completely yellowing. Well I received a replacement plant for it since it's roots were in pretty bad shape when it arrived, very dehydrated. I figured that was what my problem was with the leaves. Well the replacement plant had somewhat better roots...but not by far. I put it into a container with sphag moss and it seemed to be happy...the leaves were a nice green (a little on the dark side) and very firm. I think I have had the replacement plant for about a month and a half to two months now and all of a sudden it is having the same leaf yellowing problem. The yellowing starts with the bottom leaves and works it way up and only one or two yellowing at a time. I have tried trimming the leaves off at an early point of this happening and it doesn't seem to help. Sometimes the leaf will look like it has leaf rot...but I KNOW I am not getting water on the leaves when watering. I figured that the first one was just pouting on me....but it dropped all of it's leaves...I still have it and it has one cane that is turning a brownish color now, I thought I would see if it would come back. Now I am affraid that this replacement plant is going to loose all of it's leaves as well. I don't have this problem with all of my den's....just this one so far and I don't get it! I have a different den in moss as well which is rebuilding it's root system (another from the same seller) and it is putting out new growth! Any idea's of what is going on? I keep it moist but not soggy and the plant is in a west facing window that gets full sun off and on through the late part of the day as the sun shines through the tree's in the backyard, so I know it isn't sun burn. Any help is appreciated, I may not respond to messages until Monday since I will be leaving for the weekend tonight. Thanks!

P.S....wow that was a long one! oh and the den is a Burana Emerald

Ross · #2 07-20-2007, 07:06 PM

Sorry I cannot help but I must take this opportunity to say that a few of us get this response from these guys so regularly we have chosen to not grow them. The lesson here is that each person needs to determine what they can grow well in their conditions and what they can't. I am NOT saying you can't (or do not know how to) grow Dendros, I'm just saying no-one can grow everything. I have learned to zero in on those plants that do well for me and leave the others alone. Not sure this is of help, but maybe you have a situation with certain dendros that precludes this guy?

Becca · #3 07-20-2007, 08:22 PM

It makes me just about give up with them, but then I have two that are doing great....all are the phal type to my knowlege...just different hybrids....it is probably something to do with where/who I got it from perhaps

Ross · #4 07-20-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPfeiffer

It makes me just about give up with them, but then I have two that are doing great....all are the phal type to my knowlege...just different hybrids....it is probably something to do with where/who I got it from perhaps

Don't go by my success (or lack of) on the Phal types. I have great success on the desciduous ones and the little D. aberrans in my orchidarium. I just gave up on the Phal types and a few others because I wasn't doing any good with them. That's my only point. Lots of folks here have great success with wonderful Dendros - they look really wonderful.

Gin · #5 07-20-2007, 08:57 PM

They will lose old leaves from the old canes and look like sticks , Is it starting a new cane ?
One thing Dends. hate to be disturbed (repotted) that is usually when the leaf drop happens . Just set it aside water sparingly and ignore it . Don't give up on it yet . They can be picky .. Gin

Becca · #6 07-20-2007, 09:22 PM

No, no new canes or growth or roots unfortunetly

I try not to disturb it much either.....maybe it just wasn't meant to be for it...lol. thanks for the suggestions and help!

gixrj18 · #7 07-20-2007, 10:21 PM

Does the cane that is turning brown, also feel mushy? If so, you've probably got a fungus. In this case, I would get rid of brown stalk and treat the remainder with fungicide. Especially, if it's starting at the bottom, and working it's way up.

thakshila smith · #8 07-21-2007, 06:52 AM

I get this problem with my anthuriums. sudden yellow leaves. I think fungus problem .clean with some thing.
Some times I think bec of the change of quality of water.Sue had same problem. She will help you .She did a surgery .

cb977 · #9 07-21-2007, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the vote of confidence, thakshila

Becca, take a look through this thread, it may help:

Baffled!

Becca · #10 07-23-2007, 05:49 PM

Sue, thanks for the link to the thread! I am glad I am not alone with these mystery problems.

Jasen, the cane that is turning brown started from the top and started turning brown slowly towards the bottom and it does not feel mushy? The other two canes are still green.

So with no new growth or leaves, does this mean this dendrobium is a gonner? If so I need to know cuz my space is limited as it is....lol. I have officially come to terms with an orchid being dead and throwing it out....although I have only done it once....lol.