Dendrobium leaves color changing

[Jessir57]

Hi, I am Jessica. I am an orchid rookie and need help. I Just bought my very first Dendrobium orchid. The roots are white and seem healthy but the flowers are dropping quickly and the leaves are a bit shriveled with some very light black spots on the back. Any suggestions on what it could be?

[Roberta]

If the roots are white, it could need water. Some Dendrobiums go though a winter rest period, but if this one has flowers, it is probably one of the types that need water. Photos would help. I think you have a few more posts (comments in other threads count) to reach 5, but some people seem to be able to post photos sooner.

[Jessir57]

Thank you Roberta. I just watered them again today so lets see if that works. Regarding the pictures, I was trying to upload some but couldn't. Let me see what I can do to show you.

[Jessir57]

I attached them.

[Bud]

There is fungi infestation on the leaf and you may wash the leaf with sponge and dish soap. The flowers has reached its peak and needs to dry out and fade....usually Dendrobium flowers last for weeks. Your plant has moss and bark as its medium. Be sure to put it under flowing water once a week this winter and in the warmer months every other day watering. Hold fertilizer in the cold months and feed it in its growing period. You inherited a sick plant infested with fungi so make sure to isolate it from the other plants.

[Roberta]

Bud's advice on watering is spot-on. From what I can see, the plant is quite dehydrated. The existing growths probably won't plump up much (or at all) but new growth should be OK. Those white roots should turn green if they are well-soaked. If you can get them to that point, then you'd let them dry out until they are white again, and repeat....

[Jessir57]

Thank you Bud and Roberta. Bud, I just tried washing the leaves with soap and water but the light black spots remain so I dried it out thoroughly with a towel and will follow the watering procedure provided by you both.I just watered it today and the moss is moist so I will let it be for now and check on it from time to time. Let's hope she gets better! Its my first orchid so I don't have to worry about it infecting any other for the time being. Thanks again!

[Jessir57]

So I have been watering the plant every so often since the plant looked dehydrated but now the leaves are turning yellow. Im thinking a bacteriaL infection. This is not a Dendrobium that hibernates because it is an Dendrobium phalaenopsis so I know those leaves turning yellow aren't a good sign. Any thoughts? Should I repot?

[Jessir57]

Attached is another picture just in case. Thank you

[Dollythehun]

The older canes do drop their leaves. Don't cut them because they continue to feed the plant.