Phalaenopsis with broken, soggy stem - Orchid Board

lonnie913 · #1 02-17-2010, 04:05 PM

I'm having a problem with an orchid and I'm not sure what might have caused it.

I had a stem that broke in the middle. The area around the break is very soggy and wet.

What might have caused this? A pest or fungus? Cold damage?

OrchidSue · #2 02-17-2010, 04:57 PM

Any of those things could cause it. Photos of the damage might help narrow the reason down.

Susan

Zoi2 · #3 02-17-2010, 05:02 PM

Hello and welcome to the OB.
Could you possibly post a picture or two of your plant, I'm not clear on your question.
By "stem" are you refering to the base of the plant that all leaves originate from or are you refering to the flower spike?
If the base of your plant is wet and soggy, it has probably been overwatered or water has been allowed to stand in the crown of the plant. I am sorry, but I believe your plant is probably done for.
Joann

lonnie913 · #4 02-18-2010, 05:26 PM

Sorry for not replying sooner. I guess that it's not the stem that was soggy, but the spike.

I have pictures now, but the soggy part where the spike was bent over is now broken and its dried out some.

I also have this problem with an Oncidium. The leaves have some brown spots and some blisters and some clear residue on them. Here are pictures:

Can anyone help?

Zoi2 · #5 02-18-2010, 09:53 PM

I am not seeing your pictures, can you repost?
Joann

lonnie913 · #6 02-19-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

I am not seeing your pictures, can you repost?
Joann

I tried to fix it. Is it working now?

lonnie913 · #7 02-23-2010, 02:56 PM

can anyone help? or are the pictures still not working? they are working for me at least.

phalaephila · #8 02-23-2010, 06:42 PM

I can see your photos.... Regarding the spike on the phal, I would trim the end of the spike slightly if it is not completely dry, just into healthy tissue using a sterile cutting tool. The cut can air dry. I can see on your photo that the spike has started to branch, which will lead to new buds and flowers.

Knowing nothing about your oncidium problem I would recommend at least quarantining the plant first and foremost. Are the bumps raised (possible scale), or sunken (fungal or bacterial problem)? Hopefully someone else will be able to assist you with this plant.