Help with yellowing leaves, please - Orchid Board

Mysbhvn · #1 12-13-2007, 09:06 AM

Hi Everyone,

Happy Holidays to you all.

I finally received my orchid from Hawaii a couple of days ago. It is a Dedrobium Thongchai Gold 'Kanokporn'....I have noticed a pretty quickly increasing yellowing of the leaves, and not just the lower leaves. At this point they are quite mottled green and yellow. Is this a shock thing coming from beautiful Hawaii to the cold Pacific NW. A light issue? I have it under my Tek 5 light. It is blooming, it was sent to me that way, but something is definitely not right! I will try to post a pic later as right now it is 5:00 a.m. and I can barely make a sentence...

Any thoughts??

Thanks for your help!

Ray · #2 12-13-2007, 09:11 AM

I am not a big fan of dens, and only have a couple, but they are pretty good about dropping leaves at the slightest stress, but it appears to be of little- to no consequence.

Give it proper conditions and treatment, and it'll be fine.

Neverend · #3 12-13-2007, 09:49 AM

Could be shock, trying to keep it as warm or even hot as possible.

Neverend · #4 12-13-2007, 09:59 AM

Could be shock, trying to keep it as warm or even hot as possible.

quiltergal · #5 12-13-2007, 01:38 PM

Ray is right Dens hate change and express their displeasure at being moved by dropping their leaves and flowers. It may sulk for a while before it decides to get happy again. Just be patient. As long as the root system is in good shape it will eventually bounce back.

Mysbhvn · #6 12-13-2007, 01:52 PM

Thanks everyone, I thought it might be shock. I would be in shock too if I came from warm sunny Hawaii to the chilly, dark Pacific NW....

Do these take the same amount of light as cattleyas? My catts all seem fine with their light exposures, I'm wondering if the Dendrobium will do well with them?

quiltergal · #7 12-13-2007, 01:54 PM

What kind of den is it?

Mysbhvn · #8 12-13-2007, 02:46 PM

The tag that came with the orchid says D. Thongchai Gold 'Kanokporn'. I also noted in looking at the tag that this orchid is not from Akatsuka Orchids, which is where the gift certificate was issued. It is from Kalapana Tropicals. I guess maybe Akatsuka doesn't grow their own Dendrobiums??

quiltergal · #9 12-13-2007, 03:19 PM

Your den is a phal type. They like high light so should do fine with your catts. They also don't need a winter rest like some of the other dens need.

I have been to the Akatsuka greenhouse twice and they do grow their own dens. Perhaps they ran out of this particular hybrid and bought from another grower to fulfill their orders.