Dend. Spectabile and Miva Abracadabra issues.

[Syrinth]

Ok so two problems with my dendrobiums that I'm looking for answers for.

1) My spectabile haven't bloomed, ever. I have two, they were in bloom when I got them, but now no matter what I try, they won't bloom. They keep putting forth new canes which are getting bigger and more unruly each time, but nothing. One of them is even making two canes at once now!

I've been told to give them more light, but I've given as much as I feel I can risk. One of the canes even turned black as seen in the picture. Should I ease off the amount of light they get? South facing window.

2) Meanwhile, my Miva Abracadabra used to be fine. Flowered beautifully and frequently, but the canes were getting smaller and smaller. Now, it keeps making canes but they suddenly shrivel away into nothing as shown. The leaves are also kind of mottled and even dry in some places. I don't think they've been getting too much light. They were under a grow lamp when the problems started, and not directly under either.

I try to water it every second day or so, it seems to dry out fast. As far as I can tell, the roots are still fine, healthy looking ones are sticking out of the bottom.

3) I have another dend, ([pee wee x zip] X Victorian Flare) SVO Intense X Den. Zip Jack McMillen which isn't doing too well either. It's canes over the past dew months have been... withering from the top down? One of them went all the way and got hollowed out. It has three new growths coming up and I'm eager to not screw it up. Any advice?

I took a look at the roots and they didn't look great... that being said, I have a hard time telling with Dendrobium roots.I think it's possible that I may have been overwatering it but I'm not sure how to tell. I cut off a few that look particularly dead and repotted it in sphag with some bark, like it had been in previously, although I basically just put a bit of mix at the bottom, then some sphag and bark at the top since the root ball took up most of the pot.

Any help for anything would be great

[Regelian]

First, you may be better off asking the questions in seperate posts..You'll get more feed-back. Also, not sure which fotos are which?

D. spectabilis can handle just short of full sun in your latitude. It does need to be weaned over to the higher light. UV light is blocked by window glass, therefore, if you want to put it outside in Summer, adjust it slowly to avoid leaf burn. Takes about 2-3 weeks, depending on weather. Also, once in active growth they need regular watering, no fully driing and good fertilizer (minerals!) Mine are never fully dry. Air circulation is very important. Stagnant air coupled with moisture and warmth will rot them (as with most epiphytic orchids). The canes and leaves should be medium green, with age somewhat yellow.

The second orchid (if I have the fotos correct) shows severe leaf burn. This may be from moisture (the spotting), but I think the large areas are caused by heat burn. Touching the lamps? New light source could be the cause as well.

The third hybrid is from the Dendrocoryne group and needs a very open media. They tend to grow in open sun and on rocks or in gravel, as well as on trees. They can handle very low temps (8°C is not a problem short-term), but need to be dry, otherwise you will get rot. I keep mine in baskets and water only when they are in active growth. Too much water during bud developement will cause bud drop.

All three of your plants require very different culture, although they are all capable of handling the same temperate climate, their potting media and watering are different. D. spectabile is difficult to over water in growth, while the Dendrocoryne really needs a dry period to flourish. All profit from good air movement.

Hope this helps,

Jamie

[Syrinth]

Thanks a lot, I put them all in one post because I didn't want to spam.

You got the photos correct. The dend. Mive wasn't anywhere near the lights but I'll move it away from the window now.

As for the last one, it's currently in active growth so I should water it now but let it dry out in between? After it's finished growing, I should let it stay drier longer?

Additionally, I have it in sphag with some bark, but I left it reasonably loose. Does that sound decent or should it be primarily bark with some sphag?

[estación seca]

The pots I can see are too wet and much larger than I would use. If the roots are rotted the tops would not be able to get enough water and could look like this.

I would also check carefully for spider mites. The plants with the multiple different kinds of blotches might be infested with spider mites.

Most of the time, when a Dendrobium shoot dies before maturing, it is not getting enough water (caused by bad roots or insufficient watering); it has suffered spider mite attack or it has been burned by hot sun and insufficient air circulation.

[Regelian]

You got the photos correct. The dend. Mive wasn't anywhere near the lights but I'll move it away from the window now.

The D. Miva Abracadabra is a Latouria cross and thus related to D. spectabile. The parents are from higher altitudes as spectabile and require less heat as well as being more consistently moist. They do like light and, although I do not grow this cross, all my Latouria are in as much light as I can give them. On a windowsill, they like a southern view, a bit to the East or West. If they get too hot and/or water gets on the leaves, they will burn, which is a common problem on windowsills. Air movement helps, here.
As Estacion Seca noted, the pots are too large for Dendrobium and this may be a large part of the troubles. They cannot dry out fast enough. I use mainly clay pots for my orchids as they breathe better and then the medium, even if wet, drys in a day or two. Bark with sphagnum is fine. I use a 50/50 mix for most orchids, lightly packed (enough to hold the plant). One may add charcoal to the mix, which helps.

As for the last one, it's currently in active growth so I should water it now but let it dry out in between? After it's finished growing, I should let it stay drier longer?

Yes, let it get dry between waterings, but not bone dry, during the growing season. Definitly better in a clay pot and I use the same mix as above for mine. They are currently all outside! Nights are around 6°C with days already hitting 18°C-24°C. Perfect for these orchids. They are in partial shade to get used to the extra UV and will be in full light (6+ hours) in the Summer.

Additionally, I have it in sphag with some bark, but I left it reasonably loose. Does that sound decent or should it be primarily bark with some sphag?

Potting mediums can be key to success, as they govern how wet an orchid remains, as well as the air circulation around the roots. In plastic pots you must be careful not to use too much moss for plants that profit from strong root drying (most epiphytes). If you tend to over water (some of us kill with kindness), then a pure bark mix is more forgiving. Moss is a great signal medium, as it will get crispy when needing more water. I try to get some long strands of it through the mix when potting-up. This wicks the moisture and gives me a quick signal. You can pot in pure sphagnum, if you wish. It dries quickly and is the non-plus-ultra for seedlings, which should not dry completely.

Keeping the plants in a gravel tray is a great way to stabilze the humidity around the plants. Also helps prevent spider mites, if this is an issue. They thrive in dry atmospheres. Under 50% humidity they are almost uncontrollable. It is, also, not healthy for humans long term. A common 'city living' ailment.

cheers,
J.

[Syrinth]

Ok so I'll pick up some clay pots at *ugh* Walmart on my way home tonight, but I'm unsure how to get them into smaller pots?

The rootball of the Dendrocoryne is taking up the majority of the plastic pot it's currently in and I was only able to put in a little bit of medium. I suspect that the roots are rotted, but I'm unsure how to tell with Dendrobiums as they're too thin compared to normal orchid roots.

How do I proceed? Also, how much medium should I even be putting in? I have a sneaking suspicion I overstuff my pots...

Sorry for the basic questions.

[Regelian]

Originally Posted by Syrinth

Ok so I'll pick up some clay pots at *ugh* Walmart on my way home tonight, but I'm unsure how to get them into smaller pots?

I get mine from a kindergarten supply! I buy a case of each size. The kids paint them as gifts. cheapest method I've found.

The rootball of the Dendrocoryne is taking up the majority of the plastic pot it's currently in and I was only able to put in a little bit of medium. I suspect that the roots are rotted, but I'm unsure how to tell with Dendrobiums as they're too thin compared to normal orchid roots.

Yeah, they do make massive rootballs. When repotting them, I trim away roots from the back bulbs and thin-out those from the first two. The new growths will come quickly. Any repotting does set a plant back a bit, which is why one aims to do it when the new growth buds are first swelling. This is a group of Dendros that profits from some gravel or lava in the potting mix. Helps weight the plant, as well. Some get quite tall. Perlite is another good 'opener' for media.

How do I proceed? Also, how much medium should I even be putting in? I have a sneaking suspicion I overstuff my pots...

Most do over fill the pots, so you are not alone. You need to have enough to firm the plant in place. With clay pots you have the advantage of its porosity. They will not stay wet as long. I try not to over compress the media and sometimes use wedges of heavy bark to secure the roots. It is a learning process. Commercial growers often mix styrofoam into the mix to assure open spaces and it compresses lightly.

Sorry for the basic questions.

If you don't ask, you won't get an answer. I think I speak for all on this forum....it's a pleasure.

Jamie

[Syrinth]

Thanks a lot, I really appreciate it.

I did the repotting last night and I think I did mostly what you said by happy coincidence :P

I kind of just gently pulled at the roots and snipped off any that broke or flaked. It looked like a decent chunk of them were dead.

Didn't have any lava rock or anything so just used mostly bark with some sphag and a few clay pellets in a clay pot.

Am I correct in my now assumtion that Denrocoryne are decidious dendrobiums?

*crosses fingers*

[Regelian]

I think you did fine.

The section Dendrocoryne keeps its leaves for 2-4 years, sometimes longer. They are not annually deciduous. Should a plant loose all its leaves, this is a sign of incorrect water management. Given a chance to dry out and sun themselves, most will continue to grow from the dormant buds. Leafless p-bulbs should be left until they whither and yellow. Then cut them off.

Don't give-up, should you kill off a plant or two. We all did it and often still manage to send one to the happy hunting grounds. Just learn and move on. There are orchids I no longer grow, such as Paphiopedelums, which never thrived for me. With 30,000+ species and many times more hybrids, there are enough possibilities to find your niche. For me it is Dendrobium and the Catasetinae. I have a few Cattleyas, etc., but they just keep me open to the many possibilities.

Jamie