Cane question - Orchid Board

Helen · #1 04-21-2007, 01:01 PM

Wondering if it is normal for Dendrobium canes to thin out over time. Mine are getting skinnier and skinnier and I water approx once per week. I have a new shoot starting and I just repotted a week ago. I would hate to overwater by increasing to twice/week. I water when the pot feels light.
Also, will any of the old canes ever bloom or is it too late after 2 -3 years of not blooming?

Tindomul · #2 04-21-2007, 01:02 PM

For me, the old canes die off, and only the new growths bloom. Hopefully. Good luck

smartie2000 · #3 04-21-2007, 01:55 PM

Old canes don't bloom again on phal-type dends. Yup they died off eventually

Helen · #4 04-21-2007, 05:02 PM

Smartie, none of the canes have ever bloomed, so if they don't bloom after the foliage matures, then it won't bloom? is that it?

Shadow · #5 04-21-2007, 05:21 PM

If the old cane is getting skinnier it doesn't mean that it is dying. It may last for many years. Some of my dendrs have 5 years old canes and they are not going to die. I think the canes is getting skinnier because the new growth is growing.

quiltergal · #6 04-21-2007, 05:21 PM

Helen, do any of the skinny canes have leaves left on them? If not the plant is using the old cane for energy and will reabsorb any nutrients it has until nothing much is left. That's why they appear to shrink. If they have leaves left on them you may have a problem. Someone more experienced than I is sure to chime in.

The only dendros that will rebloom on an old cane are nobiles. I have one doing that right now. The cane is from last year and it still has two leaves at the top and the buds popping out on the opposite side of each leaf union.