The Dendrobium Crisis

[TheNewGuy]

I've had this dendrobium for around 9 months or so and it's been doing really well, LOTS of new roots, a new cane that has been doing really well and everything! But about three or four days ago the base of the new cane turned black and soft and the cane is now hanging off the side of the pot...

What could have caused this?? I have been taking such good care of it and now it's trying to go the way of the dodo!

[Ranchnanny]

Hey there NewGuy, have you ever checked the roots and medium of your Den.? I would check it by removing it from the pot it is in and see if there is any root rot. Cut of any black or mushy roots. I would also dust the base of the new growth with cinnamon to stop any fungus etc. You could also wash the roots and base with straight listerene (reg.). Change the medium as well.

I have lots of Dens and all of mine are in s/h medium they are growing by leaps and bounds. I have used the cinnamon of my Phals. as well and it really works.

Watch your watering pattern.



Sheridan

[Sharlie]

RanchNanny is right... That definitely sounds like root rot. I hope the plant is able to be saved.
Good Luck!

[TheNewGuy]

The roots are all fine. It's the strangest thing. I won't be too sad if it does die, (it was only like 5 bucks) but still, ya know? You take care of something so well and then it pulls a stunt like this!!!

[susiep]

Ungrateful, that Den! What's a parent to do?!

[Lene Th.]

I dont have mutch experiense with Dends., however, it may sound like you have gotten water on the new growth?
I remember someone told me to be carefull not to water from above when new growth was accuring, due to easy crown-rot...

[TheNewGuy]

Okay, I'm gonna see what I can do for the thing. When I bought it, It had the most beautiful flowers, and at first it only had the one new cane on it. Back when I was a noob about orchids. After I started watering it properly it started growing all sorts of new roots, (partially thanks to some rooting hormone I got from FirstRays) and it grew another cane out of the base of the original new cane (which is now rotting away too), as well as some new growth out of the bottom side of last years growth.

If I can save it, is there any chance at flowers?

[JennS]

I don't know exactly what causes this, but I have seen it happen once and it spread very quickly and I lost the whole plant. It had nothing to do with the roots in my case. I would say that some sort of fungus or other disease has gotten to this plant. I would remove the old rotting canes immediately. Use a steralized tool for this (you can clean it with rubbing alcohol or use fire for steralization). Get rid of any old rotted canes and anything with a similar coloring. You can attempt to save a cane that has not fully rotted, but I woudl suggest just removing any bad ones. Make sure you get the whole cane and any discoloration. I woudl also pour some (regular flavor) listerine over the newly cleansed plant and roots then treat the wounds with cinnamon. IF you have a product like Physan or something similar I woudl use that as well.

If you can save the plant, flowers should be possible in the future, but you may not see them for a couple of years. However, if the new growths/canes remain unaffected it could still flower agian next year. Good luck!

[JennS]

I forgot to add that sometimes on Dens I have had a new cane die off, but that is not the same as rot. I don't know why they died off either, but they did.

Also, this is just my advice and you don't have to agree with it. That is just what I would do, but I get really crazy when I see anything rotting! Usually removing anything with rot is the best idea in my opinion.

[TheNewGuy]

I ordered some Physan 20 from FirstRays today, when It arrives I'm gonna go hard core on this guy to try and save it!