Den Phals - overwatered?

[mexicowpants]

All my den Phals have been doing great just recently, new growths on nearly all of them. Then suddenly, in the last few days, this:


The only 2 variables which have changed are 1) I've upped their watering from once a week to once every 5 days due to the active growth, and 2) I've started to use Super Thrive with each watering. I took one of them (the one which has rotted in the crown) out of its pot, the roots look predominantly good. The media was just slightly humid, this is 3 days after watering.
So, too much water or too much Super Thrive? Or something else?

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[Keri_Mar]

In my experience and what I have read watering should be done early in the day. This is to avoid the crown rot or pooling of water where the leaves meet the stem/cane.

[mexicowpants]

Been very careful to not get the crowns wet, I always water by submerging the pot in water. That's why I was a bit confused about what looked like crown rot on that one.

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[campchi]

Could be too much super thrive. If you provide enough ventilation, they should be fine with your watering schedule. I live in Southern California, at this tike of the year, i water them every other day, sometimes, daily when the temps are high. Do becareful with the lighting, too kuch sun light will burn its leaves, I had that on mine, so now, I've provide shades. I kept mine out in south-east balcony with shade clothes. Hope that helps.

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[Leafmite]

I have had something like this happen to new growths when we have had quite a bit of rain. If you lose this growth, it will start another. Adding a little extra calcium can help prevent this.

I see you are using rock. If you are using fertilizer often, make certain you flush the pots very well in between to get rid of any excess fertilizers and minerals. I find that keeps the roots happier in my red lava rock.
Light: These like bright shade during the summer, perhaps with a little morning light (like many Cattleyas).
Water: They really love to have a good soak, then dry out completely. I use basket pots because it is easier to tell when the rock is dry but if you have a hole in the bottom or sides of the pot, that can be a good place to check, too, to see if the rock has dried completely.

[bil]

Originally Posted by mexicowpants

The only 2 variables which have changed are 1) I've upped their watering from once a week to once every 5 days due to the active growth, and 2) I've started to use Super Thrive with each watering. I took one of them (the one which has rotted in the crown) out of its pot, the roots look predominantly good. The media was just slightly humid, this is 3 days after watering.
So, too much water or too much Super Thrive? Or something else?

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Denphals are pretty bulletproof. I did have one do this last year. The misting system was filling the crown each time it switched on, and it rotted.

Cut the cane back till the rot is all gone, dust the wound with a good fungicide powder like Mancozeb, and it should be OK. Mine is fine this year.

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[mexicowpants]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I have had something like this happen to new growths when we have had quite a bit of rain. If you lose this growth, it will start another. Adding a little extra calcium can help prevent this.

In what form do I add the calcium?

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[mexicowpants]

Originally Posted by bil

Cut the cane back till the rot is all gone, dust the wound with a good fungicide powder like Mancozeb, and it should be OK. Mine is fine this year.

Done and, ahem, dusted.
Would the symptoms of the growths on the other plants (paling and browning of the tips) also be symptoms of overwatering?

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[estación seca]

What are temperatures/humidity like for you now? Do you live at higher altitude / cool nights, or lower altitude / warm nights?

Depending on where your water comes from, there might be plenty of calcium in it already. Is there any way you can find a water quality report?

[mexicowpants]

Originally Posted by estación seca

What are temperatures/humidity like for you now? Do you live at higher altitude / cool nights, or lower altitude / warm nights?

Depending on where your water comes from, there might be plenty of calcium in it already. Is there any way you can find a water quality report?

Right now it's 2am, all windows are open and the temperature on the tower fan is reading 27°C. Daytime temperatures are around 35°C, although a little cooler in the house - around 30°C. I keep the den phals inside next to an open window where they get well filtered afternoon sun, and good ventilation - the window is always open and the through-draft can be strong enough to occasionally close the Venetian blinds. Humidity right now (according to AccuWeather.com) is 31%... make of that what you will.

I'll try to get a water quality from the water company tomorrow.

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