Den. Miva Abracadabra Cane -- Remove? - Orchid Board

c123anderson · #1 01-30-2023, 10:14 AM

Okay, first, I'm surprised I've not been banned. I'm sure that more than a few are wondering if I should ever have orchids.....to be honest, most are doing well, and seem to be surviving the mealybugs. But .....

I have a Den. Miva Abracadabra (Den. atroviolaceum x Den. polysema). The first picture is the issue, today. The second, cropped picture is the same issue over a month ago, and shortly after I received the plant. It's actually a nice looking plant, but it looks like it has a hole in one of its canes. Watching this plant with the mealybugs, I have had a close eye on this issue that I had hoped was just a physical, non-pest damage (e.g., shipping). Note, too, this plant arrived with black spots on the leaves. Without seeing anything more at the time, I treated with a copper-based fungicide, which seemed to help.

I'm watching this blight. It's not changed character, but I'm afraid it's a very obvious weak spot on this plant.

Questions:
1) any thoughts on what the spot is?
2) should I remove the cane, which, admittedly, is pretty healthy otherwise?
3) if I leave the cane, is there a poultice or something I could/should apply to protect/strengthen this area?

I'm inclined to leave the cane and watch the spot, but I do not want this to be a vector for pests to attack the plant. It's got a couple of new canes sprouting, and it looks like it's even got a nice spike forming.

estación seca · #2 01-30-2023, 12:46 PM

Something chewed into it. That kind of wound can be caused by snails, slugs, cockroaches, crickets, caterpillars and grasshoppers.

I would leave it alone and not cut it off. I only cut off completely dry brown growths, unless I see some kind of infection advancing. That happens extremely rarely. Try to get rid of the idea that regularly cutting off pieces of plant or root is a good idea. Despite Internet videos, it's not.

Copper is toxic to many Dendrobiums, as well as humans. Somebody growing inside a home will very rarely have fungus issues unless growing conditions are poor. I recommend people not use fungicides unless they know what fungus they have, know it is actually causing trouble and know the fungicide they pick treats that fungus.

WaterWitchin · #3 01-30-2023, 12:54 PM

I've been known to either put a paste of cinnamon and Elmer's glue on a spot like that, or drip candle wax over the lesion. I sure wouldn't cut a cane that's still providing energy to the plant as a whole.

c123anderson · #4 01-30-2023, 01:04 PM

I suspect something chewed on it, but I have no evidence of any of the pests you’ve mentioned. I suspect this may have been an injury prior to my receiving this plant and successfully treated before I received it.

Your advice on cutting is sound. I feel the rest of the cane is healthy enough or I have no evidence that it’s harming the plant or otherwise needing to come off.

This den. had a few brown spots on it that seemed to be spreading, thus the fungicide. This did seem to help this black spots from continuing to spread.

---------- Post added at 09:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:55 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I've been known to either put a paste of cinnamon and Elmer's glue on a spot like that, or drip candle wax over the lesion. I sure wouldn't cut a cane that's still providing energy to the plant as a whole.

That’s interesting on the Elmer’s glue + cinnamon. Just the typical white stuff mixed with some ground cinnamon from the spice rack? Do you have an amount of cinnamon that you’d mix with this? I figure this lesion is roughly 3/4 inch (19 mm) by 1/3 inch (7.5 mm).

WaterWitchin · #5 01-30-2023, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c123anderson

That’s interesting on the Elmer’s glue + cinnamon. Just the typical white stuff mixed with some ground cinnamon from the spice rack? Do you have an amount of cinnamon that you’d mix with this? I figure this lesion is roughly 3/4 inch (19 mm) by 1/3 inch (7.5 mm).

Cinnamon is a pretty common fungicide in some orchid collectors' arsenal. Don't use on roots... it's a desiccant. The glue (Elmers, wood glue, gorilla glue, etc) is just a vehicle to easily put the cinnamon in one place and have it stick (no pun intended) rather than using it in powder form and getting it everywhere, or in water. (Because when the water dries out, it starts to flake. Just like the cinnamon you put on your toast. Just enough glue to hold it together. Use a Qtip or chopstick or end of a butter knife to apply. Or your finger, or a stiff little brush. But don't put leftover cinnamon with glue on your toast.