Problem with a Dendrobium - - Orchid Board

Nanook 2010 · #1 08-25-2011, 06:53 PM

Hello Everyone (again!)

I'm really not trying to kill every orchid I own, but it seems as if that is the case!

The small spike inside the green sheath has died. It turned brown and fell out. Any ideas why this might happen?

Too much sun? Not enough water? I keep it on my (screened) porch facing east and it only gets direct sunlight for an hour or two. I water about every 10 days and use 30-10-10 fert every other watering.

Any suggestions would be great

Thank you

J

Wjs2nd · #2 08-25-2011, 07:28 PM

What kind of dendrobium do you have? Some can handle a little direct light others can not. How often do you water? Do you leaves look happy? I would use a more balanced fertilizer. I use 20-10-20 urea free grow more. Actually, I just started using it and the orchids seem happier.

Nanook 2010 · #3 08-25-2011, 08:21 PM

I have no idea the type - was not flowering when I got it. I water once a week (and to be quite honest probably too much) but it is quite hot here - high 90's with very little breeze - so I hope not too much.

It only has about 3 leaves on it and they are dark green but very stiff.

Hope this helps

J

Wjs2nd · #4 08-25-2011, 11:57 PM

It's good that their firm. How much light does it get? It sounds like you might want to consider getting a humidifier. It'll help cool your orchids a little and keep them happy with humidity!

glengary54 · #5 08-26-2011, 12:06 AM

Nanook - what you are showing in your photo was not a flower spike, it was a new growth that would have grown up to be be a cane. Are you watering late in the day? Is there enough air movement on your screened in porch? Something is going on culture wise.

Nanook 2010 · #6 08-26-2011, 12:06 AM

It gets about 2 to 2.5 hours of direct sun through a screen and then indirect the rest of the day...

Yes..I usually water later in the afternoon

I was going to post another question about misting...

Do you think it is ok to mist all of my orchids on the porch everyday?

Wjs2nd · #7 08-26-2011, 12:15 AM

Mist will be okay if you get proper air movement. Maybe you need to shade your orchids a little more from the direct light. How hot does it get? It might be getting to hot.

glengary54 · #8 08-26-2011, 12:16 AM

If you are watering them, there really isn't any reason to mist them. If you have been watering late in the day and your plants are wet overnight, that could be your problem with both your dendrobium and your vanda

Nanook 2010 · #9 08-26-2011, 12:22 AM

Very hot here in GA upper 90's...very little air movement, and very high humidity

So no watering in the afternoon...that is an easy fix..

thanks for the info...

please keep it coming

J

Wjs2nd · #10 08-26-2011, 11:37 AM

Maybe a floor fan so you get some air movement. You might not need it often but it's nice to have when you do.