Den. Spectabile - New Growth Color Change

[c123anderson]

Hi all! I have a Den. Spectabile that’s got a new growth. Was a happy green color about a week ago. Now it’s turned a dark purple-ish color.

Temps: between 67F-73F. Humidity around 55%. Grown indoors with about 8-10 hours filtered daylight. This is a mature, BS plant standing about 24 in.

I just watered/fertilized (pic with green) a few days ago. Now growth is a different color today.

I can’t tell what’s going on with the color change. That seems quick to have a new growth die and not wilt/shrivel. Do the spectabile tend to have a pseudobulb change color? Or can someone tell me what may be going on with the plant?

Thank you!

[Roberta]

It looks like that new growth has died. If the rest of the plant looks OK, I wouldn't worry about it. It is a young plant, possibly started something and just couldn't sustain it.

[estación seca]

How are you watering it? Dens shouldn't go dry when making new growth. Any chance you miscalculated and overdosed with fertilizer?

[c123anderson]

As far as watering, I flood through letting it drain. It’s got a nice loose media for drainage, but it needs to be repotted.

As far as fertilizer, I don’t think I overdosed it. Very diluted solution, and I kept notes to ensure I didn’t double dose.

So with your comments, I’m wondering, too, if I need to get in and repot. I tried last month but couldn’t remove the plastic pot and didn’t have good scissors to cut it loose.

History: this spectabile grew 3 spikes and blooms developed and were opening. Then all 3 blasted. Like in a matter of a day. I worried that maybe it needed more light for the blooms, but then I have this new growth and then it turns dark…. I wonder what’s in the pot.

Does anyone with more experience have any thoughts? I’m really at a loss on this.

[estación seca]

How often are you watering? How do you decide when to water?

[c123anderson]

I have been watering this den. about once a week but keeping it misted or humidity so humidity around it is about 50%+.

It seemed to be okay with this routine. The new growth was new from about 2-3 weeks.

[estación seca]

The commonest cause of losing new leads in Dendrobiums is not enough water. That could be from not providing enough water, or from sick roots.

[c123anderson]

I need to repot this one, and tomorrow sounds like the day.

[c123anderson]

Repotted. Yikes!

I’ve had this spectabile since August 2022 — 5 months or so.

Tried to repot in December, but I couldn’t get the pot off. I was able to get the pot off, and it was solid roots. I soaked roots to try to loosen them and remove old media. After soaking, rinsing, using a small amount of pressure to loosen old rock, I finally resorted to cutting into roots to help remove old media. I think I got most of rock and styrofoam. Once I felt I got good, clean roots, I rinsed. This is the pic.

But what I found prepping for new pot wasn’t pretty. New growth was black and soft and easily came off. Lots of roots, but none looked very healthy. Canes had some discoloration that is discouraging. The only thing I feel I can say positive is that whatever happened, it was likely not due to fungus or disease as more likely due to poor plant care. I’d like to blame that all on the nursery that I purchased this plant from, but I should’ve been more dedicated to repotting it last month when I could.

Fingers crossed this spectabile will make it. It’s just such a striking plant, with its canes standing about 2 feet tall from the base of the plant.

Thank you all, again, for the thoughts. I hope this one will pull through.

[Roberta]

Looks to me like it will be fine. I do think that you can assume that problems predate your acquisition. 5 months is nothing in the life of an orchid, especially one like this one that grows slowly. Fresh medium, maybe a dose of Kepmax/Kelpak if you have it. And patience.