What's that growing at the top of my den victoria-reginae cane?

[Daenerys]

This is my first dendrobium, so I am quite unfamiliar with how these things grow.

What do you guys think this could be?


Also, I've heard about dendrobiums dropping leaves as part of their growth cycle--does den victoria-reginae do that too? I ask because mine has lost several leaves over the last month, and I'm not sure whether to treat that as normal or as sign of bad trouble (the plant has had some root damage, but seemed to be recovering from that).

[Gage]

Looks like a spike to me!

[Bud]

You are getting a small leaf and a spike. The smaller cane below it is also spiking. I dont think this plant has a rest period; you need to water it more often that it is about to bloom.(every other day)since you are using a coarse media and it dries up easy...the winter is dry and the heater indoor apartment living is also making it dry... unless you have a humidifier then water it soaking wet for a couple of minutes every other day
Lots of light near the window ...
my plant has 4 canes and one cane just bloomed...I think it will spike again on the other canes

[Daenerys]

Bud,

How about the issue of root rot? This den had a lot of old roots that rotted away 2 months ago, so I actually cut back on the watering since. Is that the wrong approach?

[Leafmite]

My phal-dens are kept on the dryer side during the winter. I have them in lava rock/net pots and water once a week. I've never increased my watering when they are in bloom and the last blooming (five spikes) lasted a little over three months, just finishing last week. I don't grow under lights, house temps are ~65'F. It is possible that Bud grows under lights, has good air circulation, and/or warmer temps so more frequent watering would be necessary. Our growing conditions greatly affect the care that is needed. I hope this helps.

[WhiteRabbit]

That could be a spike or keiki - tho I haven't got any keikis at the top of the cane yet, and spikes usually do start high on the cane with subsequent ones going lower as they go

Den victoria-reginae does not want a true dry rest
from IOSPE PHOTOS

They need to be kept evenly humid and moist throughout the year

Depending on the environment it may need less frequent watering in winter (mine is outdoors, and with the cooler temps and damper air gets watered less frequently than during very warm-hot temps and dry air in summer) - in a warm dry home in winter may need more

It is somewhat decidiuos and will lose foliage on mature canes this time of year.

[fotofashion]

Hmmm...my info says cool and dry for this plant. It is sitting over next to the door in the area reserved for dry- winter plants. I don't think it has lost any leaves either. I'll have to have a close look at it tomorrow.
Beverly A.

[Bud]

The root rot is caused by the cold and damp or stagnant water on the roots..This kind of plant do suffer without good air movement around the roots...I would not be worried by overwatering in a coarse well draining bark media
if you have a coarse media it will dry out fast this winter...but in the summer its another state of humidity...we have a hot and very humid Manhattan atmosphere
This winter I grow this in a warm with south facing window bright shaded sun...in the summer it is indoors by the cool AC and also on the same south side bright window...
Sonya is right: I keep mine evenly moist and I let it dry for a day then water again...so I water it every other day in the dry winter...in the summer I will water it once a week because the hot and humid New York atmosphere is just too much moisture, if we go down the subways: we breathe water !

[shadytrake]

Hi all,

I doubt that is a bloom spike. v-r only blooms on last year's old canes with no leaves. That would be either a new leaf or a keiki. If you had root issues, it may be throwing a keiki to survive.

These grow naturally in the Philippines at higher elevations but in shady forests. Your best bet is to take it out of a pot and strap it down tight to a piece of tree fern or that equiweb stuff. If the roots are suffering, I wouldn't put it on driftwood just yet. The tree fern is great for helping the tree growers to recover their roots.

Here is mine. 2nd photo shows it the last one on the right. You can see it is mounted on driftwood with moss on the roots. I have mostly new growths which means I should get blooms when they die off.