Hello from Calgary

[Orchid-Obsessed]

Hello to everyone from Calgary,

I just signed up as a new member to this forum-thank you. I have visited this site to get ideas on a bunch of how to’s and finally decided to join in. I just started to grow orchids this year.

I’d like to ask if my Dendrobium parishii is dying and what I can do to save it. I received by post on March 5 from orchid supplier in Ontario. I thought that it might just be still in winter rest but as weeks progress, more canes are turning reddish brown. Part of a couple of the canes are green at the bottom, but reddish brown at the top. The canes are not soft and mushy. And are very shrivelled.

I water it once a week now with distilled water. I’d be ever so grateful if someone can provide me with guidance. I’ve been searching in the internet and YouTube and other posts from other orchid societies have I can’t find anything on reddish brown canes and what it means. Thank you.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

Is your Dendrobium in its original pot or did you recently pot it? If the original pot, take it out and look at the roots... if they're bad, getting into new medium (bark would be fine) is important - this is when it when it will soon be producing new growth and new roots, and you want to be sure that those new roots are going into a healthy environment. That will also tell you whether it is wanting more water (probably not) or with bad roots, can't absorb what it is getting.

[charlesf6]

[Orchid-Obsessed]

Thank you for your messages. I reported in orchiata bark and holey pot, cut dried/dead roots when I received the shipment. There were 2 new leaves on new cane, but it eventually turned yellow and died because the heat pack in the shipping box stopped working. Parishii is in room with 45% humidity, east facing window, with fan,73f at night and 79f day temp now-It was in garage from March to end of April but I took it to the room now. I can’t open the window for fresh air because outside humidity is only around 30%.
Should I fertilize now or wait until I see new roots and/or leaves?
Thanks again for your tips, oh how I wish I live in your growing zones😀. ...if you think of anything else that’ll help it, I’d be grateful if you let me know. I just hope it doesn’t die. Thanks again.

[Roberta]

Ah... cold damage in shipping is a very likely culprit. It can take some time to show up. A bit of fertilizer won't hurt at this point, but in general fertilizer is the least important cultural factor - orchids use very, very little. I think that for now, patience is all-important. Temperature and light seem fine, you have potted it well, just water it and let it do its thing.

[DeaC]