Dendrobium Help Needed! - Orchid Board

Becca · #1 09-22-2011, 11:20 AM

Earlier this morning I posted help needed with a Phrag, and now I am needing help with a Dendrobium as well! Not sure quite what is happening, I have a phal with leaves that look similar to the Denrobium leaf, but I figured the Phal leaves had something to do with a case accidental crown rot. Anyways...I've taken pictures hoping someone can tell me what is going on/happening. These orchids do grow in the same room, but in different areas of the room so I wasn't thinking there leaf issues are connected. This has been going on several weeks with the Dendrobium on it's newest growth. It has pretty much lost all the leaves on it's newest growth and now the rest of the plant seems to be having the same problem....although I thought the leaves looked different on the newest growth when the showed signs of something being wrong. They looked more yellow with green veining is the only way I can describe how they looked, wish I would have taken pictures then, but the last pictures kind of shows what I am talking about. Well now that I am rambling on....here are the pictures!

Oh, and I guess growing conditions would help....this grows under a T5 light with another healthy Dendrobium and several other orchids. I probably keep it a little on the dry side as I am bad about watering and temps are in the intermediate range nothing below 68 at night currently and around 80 during the day.

Connie Star · #2 09-22-2011, 04:40 PM

Could this be a deciduous den? I have one whose lowest leaf has looked like # 2 for a long time and has remained healthy. I saw your post on the phrag.

Becca · #3 09-22-2011, 05:03 PM

No it is a typical phal type dendrobium...all of it's older growths have kept their leaves over the previous years, but now they are starting to die off. I just hope I don't have something that will spread!

erna · #4 09-22-2011, 09:55 PM

I have had a look at the Phrag. Post and the Den. Post. IMHO I would suspect overwatering Is causing root rot , hence the yellowing /dropping leaves.
Good Luck.

Lagoon · #5 09-22-2011, 10:40 PM

I agree looks like you might have some roots issues, its the pattern of the yellowing leaves. It also looks like you have some fungus setting in. Is there any softness and the base of the canes?? The leaves look like they're really out of energy.

Have a check at the roots, I believe thats where the true problem is.

Becca · #6 09-23-2011, 12:12 AM

Well it definately isn't from over water, if anything maybe underwatering....I'm horible about water my plants but have been trying to get better about watering weekly...but even with high humidity the pots dry out quickly probably partly due to the air circulation from fans. There are no soft areas at the base of the cane, the leaves that aren't affected yet are good and firm. I'll take a closer look at the roots, perhaps they have dried up to much and the plant isn't getting what it needs. I also just cut the blooming spike off tonight to give the plant a fighting chance.

Lagoon · #7 09-23-2011, 08:36 AM

Over watering can look much like underwatering. Even the roots can show some of the same conditions in the end. If the roots go drier then they want and then hard waterings begin again these roots can rot. Been there done that - you try to make up for the lost time you didn't water it enough.

Older leaves do shed off, it just seems its too much at 1 time. How old is the media, perhaps it also needs to be repotted?? My other favorite thing (LOL)!!

Becca · #8 09-23-2011, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Over watering can look much like underwatering. Even the roots can show some of the same conditions in the end. If the roots go drier then they want and then hard waterings begin again these roots can rot. Been there done that - you try to make up for the lost time you didn't water it enough.

Older leaves do shed off, it just seems its too much at 1 time. How old is the media, perhaps it also needs to be repotted?? My other favorite thing (LOL)!!

Repotting? What is repotting? Is that what I am supposed to be doing in the spring?

Yes I am horrible too about repotting....but it has probably been repotted about 2 years ago I am guessing. I think I used a special dendrobium mix from repotme.com and it isn't supposed to break down very fast. I'll still give it a good look at, I hate disturbing plants if I don't have to.