Dendrobium limpidium losing leaves

[leslie123]

I received a Dendrobium limpidium (actually, Dendrobium species aff limpidum (Large)) from Andy's Orchids two weeks ago. It's a terrific, healthy, well-grown plant with four blooms on a mossy shingle. But since I've received it, it has started losing leaves. The older leaves on the canes turn yellow and drop off. I've lost about 10 leaves so far. What am I doing wrong?

It's inside under fluorescent lights. Temp varies from 67-70 degrees, 51% humidity (trays of water under it and neighboring orchids).

I water it every morning. I'm considering watering it twice a day because Andy's page on the similar Dendrobium limpidum (dichaeoides fat bulbs) says to water one or more times a day and not dry out, and his page on this orchid says 4-7 times a week. My orchid is dry by the next morning. Could that be causing it to dry out? It has not wilted. I keep reading that "you can't overwater a mounted plant" but the moss all over the shingle does retain some water. Would adding a second daily watering it in the evening be safe? There isn't much of a temp drop inside - just three degrees or so.

The lights were initially too bright. Could that have caused leaves to yellow and drop? Andys' site says "1500-2500 Footcandles" but they were at 2500-3500, giving the upper leaves a slight purple tint. I got a grow shelf yesterday, and now they're at an acceptable 1500-2500 lumens light level.

Or is that a normal thing, to lose some leaves in winter? The canes are well leafed out, though, so I don't think so.

Any ideas?

Here it is. There's one yellowing leaf now, but I couldn't get it in focus. It's just an ordinary yellowing leaf, though.


Thank you!

[estación seca]

Especially in low humidity like yours, when Andy writes not to dry out, he means keep the mount soggy wet, almost dripping. "Dry out slightly between watering" I think means let it stop dripping for a few minutes before watering again.

I wouldn't think once a day would be enough for a mount with that much lush moss in 51% humidity. It's been kept much more wet than that.

[leslie123]

Thank you! I will follow your advice.

[orion141]

I will say that your plant looks quite healthy though. I also have one and due to time constraints don’t even always water it daily and I’ve consistently gotten it to bloom for me. Some of my pseudo bulbs have lost their leaves though.

[leslie123]

Thank you, Orion141. I think it looks healthy, too -- I want to keep it that way. I heard back from Andy, who said that he kept it quite wet and on the shadier side, and suggested about 1800 lumens. He also said it may be just adjusting to the new environment, and that they tend to lose their leaves to flower on older growths. I've started watering it 2-3 times/day and decreased the light, and it's not losing leaves anymore.